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Answer three discussion questions and respond to the comments
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Discussion questions
1. Try to put yourself in the shoes of an outside observer. In your journal, I’ve asked you to
write down three things about your own culture that someone from another culture
might find strange, wrong or uncomfortable. Explain why you think other might find
these practices strange.
If you choose to, also share something from another culture that you have experienced
which made you feel uncomfortable or which you felt was strange or wrong.
Now respond to this comment:
Ciara- Discussion 1
In my Journal, the three cultural practices i concluded others would find strange were
religious practices like vodu which, in haiti, involves ancestral veneration and beliefs (i
can only describe as something akin to shamanism) which has gotten alot of
misinterpretations through the years. in media vodu has become associated with
something extremely negative. in my culture there are also certain remedies and
methods we use to cure children for example, licking a small piece of string and putting
it on a baby’s forehead is required to cure hiccups. last but not least the very uncommon
and unfortunate animals that the the older generation of my community still consider
food, like rabbit, cat and goat.
something from another culture that i found myself very reluctant to try was
balut, a Philippine delicacy in which a fertalized developing egg embryo is steamed and
eaten. i had copped out of actually trying it when given a chance, as i couldn’t bring
myself to do it. but i think one day i might muster up the courage to do so.
2. In 2011, Rick Scott, then governor of Florida, argued that: “We don’t need a lot more
anthropologists in the state. It’s a great degree if people want to get it, but we don’t
need them here. I want to spend our dollars giving people science, technology,
engineering, and math degrees. That’s what our kids need to focus all their time and
attention on, those types of degrees, so when they get out of school, they can get a job.”
In fact, Scott (who’s daughter has a degree in Anthropology) made several statements
singling out anthropology as a degree without value, but also denigrating other liberal
arts degrees (anything other than STEM). Although he is allowed his own opinion,
research has, in fact, pointed out that he’s wrong
(https://www.livinganthropologically.com/anthropology-major/ ). Liberal arts and social
science degrees are valuable, and valuable beyond simple economics. While I hold STEM
degrees in high esteem, it seems to me that there are many problems that could directly
benefit from the perspective of someone with a background in Anthropology. I would
like you to describe three current issues where an anthropologist, or training in
anthropology, would be helpful in solving the problem. How would an anthropologist
come at the issue and how would that approach help?
And feel free to look at the links below that show some of the responses from the
anthropological community.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/rick-scott-liberal-arts-majors-dropdead-anthropology/
https://anthropologyworksdotcom.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/the-value-of-culturalanthropology-4/
Now respond to this comment:
I always thought it would be cool for someone like me or the same background as me
to go into the encampments or to popular spots for people who are homeless or
homeless and using. With the purpose of conducting an ethnography of our homeless
brothers and sisters. I just feel like they are so misunderstood and looked down upon
when in reality a lot of them are just people who gave up trying to fit into the boxes of
societal norms. which is understandable because of the toxicity of American culture and
also the affects of colonization.
Someone working at a nonprofit as an anthropologist and has past experience
working with a certain ethnic group could fit as an advocate for that group for like food
preferences or cultural rules to be upheld in groups or events.
I think a new way never done before as an anthropologist you could work within the
foster care system and provide cultural support to foster youth. For example bring them
to a cultural hang out and teach them how to ask questions or participate in their
culture. culture IS home and can benefit foster kids so much like with identity,
acceptance of self, healing, mental health, emotions and spiritual health. Culture is
something that the system lacks and I think it should be a fosters right as well as be
broadcasted to have access to their culture.
3. •The adoption of agriculture has been called the “worst mistake in the history of the
human race” by Jared Diamond (read http://www.ditext.com/diamond/mistake.html ).
Why does Diamond believe this? Do you think this is a fair characterization?
•If you could choose a different subsistence system/adaptive strategy for yourself (like
horticulture or foraging), which would you choose and why? Would that system be
sustainable?
•Which subsistence and political system (if any) do you think would be best for humans
(and/or the planet)?
**Let me be clear: I’m not suggesting we should necessarily alter the subsistence
systems around the world (and everyone should have a say in the systems in which they
participate). This is a thought exercise about alternative paths that could have been
taken. The world we inhabit today could have been very different. Our current systems
are not inevitable, and may or may not be desirable. But if we would like to advocate for
changes, we need to think deeply about alternatives.
Now respond to this comment:
Agriculture is what the Author considers the worst mistake in the history of the human
race. The Author believes the growth of Agriculture has led to the spread of disease and
malnutrition. The Author believes that agricultures live off of wild plants and animals
that they gather day by day.
I believe in a way that hunters had better diets than agricultures. If agricultures crops
go bad or die, people would become sick or go hungry. Most agriculture’s obtained their
food from one or two crops.
The adaptive strategy I would choose is Industrialism. Industrialism produces more
goods in less time, which contributes to economic growth. This helps with the
development of new technologies and products. This helps with creating jobs and
reduces poverty to improve people lives.
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