2007-02-23

digital ethnography - uses of Web2.0

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

Wesch is launching the Digital Ethnography working group at
KS State Uni to examine the impacts of digital technology on
human interaction. The first outcome of this work was a short video called
"Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us." The video was released on YouTube
on January 31st 2007 and quickly became the most popular video in the
blogosphere and the #1 featured YouTube video on February 7th 2007.

Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology
SASW, 206 Waters Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506

Phone: 785-532-6866 Fax: 785-532-6978
mwesch@ksu [dot EDU]
http://www.ksu.edu/sasw/anthro/wesch.htm

2007-02-22

NPR.org - Cherokee Tribe Faces Decision on Freedmen

Cherokee Tribe Faces Decision on Freedmen
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7513849&sc=emaf

npr Morning Edition 21 Feb 2007

Cherokee Nation - Official Site, http://www.cherokee.org/ The Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, http://www.freedmen5tribes.com/

2007-02-20

New language for divided Cameroon (fwd)

** New language for divided Cameroon **
Cameroonian youths develop a new language known as frananglais - a mixture of French, English and Creole.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/6376389.stm >

2007-02-15

state of the state (Michigan 2007)

[Feb 10, 2007 edition of online newspaper, St.Johns Indy, http://www.miserybay.com/sjindy/text.shtml ]

State of the State
Tick-Tock

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the annual State of the State message in Lansing. Me either, but last Tuesday I had a seat on the fringes.

The final preparations for the 7 p.m. event begin early on the morning of the big event. Some of the preparations may well have changed little since Gov. Kim Sigler delivered his State of the State in 1947 and even earlier. The cast of characters may change, but the order of arrival of the dignitaries probably has remained pretty static.

The advent of television coverage opened up the State of the State to more people in Michigan. It also added more items to the list of hurdles to be negotiated by the people scurrying around in the background.

Within the last few years the Internet has made its contribution to the event by making it much easier for the press and the people at home to access the text of the Governor's address.

From the windows of the Romney Building we can watch the arrival of the various dignitaries. Because of the sinking temperatures and brutal winds, all of the visitors to the Capitol arrived looking pretty much alike. The uniform of the evening is definitely best business attire covered by a long black overcoat.

Once the timeline, entitled Tick-Tock, begins to wind down, there are still a few last minute details that need attention. When the final draft of the State of the State Address popped up on the computer screen, it is formatted and scheduled for upload. A live feed in a conference room where staff members gathere prompts quick cell phone calls across the street. "His tie is crooked," one staffer informs her counterpart across the street.

As the results of Tick-Tock's careful planning unfold, more and more staff members join the others already assembled. As the State of the State message progresses, staff members respond in much the same fashion as the Legislators and guests across the street. Although no one seems to leap to his feet, applause greets many of the Governor's remarks.

Following the close of the Address across the street, the Governor and her party return to her house for one last event, a reception for honored guests. Staffers chat quietly for a few minutes and head back to their offices before making their way home. On the way to the car we enjoy the sight of the Capitol Building lighted from lawn to dome in the cold, black night. We leave the Romney building with all deliberate speed because the all lights turn off automatically at 9 p.m. This measure was instituted several years ago as a cost-saving measure. We wondered idly if the Capitol itself will suddenly go dark at 9 p.m. too, but it is too cold to stand around and ponder imponderables on this night.

Vietnam- Chuc Mung Nam Moi! HAPPY NEW LUNAR YEAR!


greeting (card by email) from VN for Feb 15, 2007 Lunar New Year (the year of Boar)

2007-02-12

emic etic?

 
[m hennessey] We often talk at our book discussions about insider/outsider points of view.
Can someone NOT of a culture ever write about that culture?  Should they? [emphasis added]
...what if the "outsider" is exceptionally perceptive or empathetic, or has done great research? 
Does it mean historical fiction can never be written if the author didn't live during the time period written about?
 
And sometimes would an "insider" be biased, or just base a book on their experiences?

Britain's human history revealed [bbc news]

Uncircumcised pupils sent home [Kenya 2007]

A Kenyan secondary school sends home 20 boys because they were not circumcised, in case they are bullied.
<
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/6355447.stm

2007-02-07

www.wikispaces.com

educators get an ad-free site for free.
You set controls on who can edit and view.
You can upload documents, images, embed video and audio.

2007-02-06

audio recordings online now

At last I've posted session audio recordings from the 2006 annual meeting
of the American Anthropological Association.
With the help of the organizers, I got permission from all presenters from
the invited session #2-031 (Archeology Division),

Exploring Scholarly and Best-selling Accounts of Social Collapse and
Colonial Encounters.

A good deal of the discussion focuses on the successes and shortcoming of
Jared Diamond's popular books and broadcast programs, including "Guns,
Steel and Germs."

The web address with hotlinks to each presenter is

http://tinyurl.com/2m6x8a


=-=-= aaa 2006 distinguished lecture by Sydel Silverman

http://tinyurl.com/26qd3u
"anthropology in the middle decades: the view from Hollywood"


__________________________________________
see also, http://anthroview.googlepages.com