AnthroCurrents – December 12, 2014

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media

• Inside Higher Ed reported on the AAA’s annual business meeting, during which a resolution opposing the academic boycott of Israel was soundly defeated. The organization will continue to debate and discuss a possible boycott resolution. There are now statements both for and against the boycott, each with a growing number of signatories.
• An anthropologist talks about “ethical” finance and the average investor in The Guardian: “It is not the lack of motivation that is the barrier, but the lack of innovation” in financial products that might help consumers invest in sectors that are in line with their values.
• Anthropologist Cameron Smith talks about interstellar flight, which is like a multigenerational road trip (are we there yet?), at Scientific American. While Hollywood most often depicts space travel as an adventure for singles, Smith sees its potential as a family project.
• We’ve read a lot about Ebola for the last several months. Anthropologists have had some time to assess the situation, and Business Week reports on the way anthropologists are helping stop Ebola from spreading by understanding burial practices and the process of grieving.
• Back at home, University of North Texas anthropologist Doug Henry talked to the Deseret News about fear and the American response to Ebola. He says, “Fear drives behavior, and it’s behavior that drives epidemics.”
• Ralph Nader gives thanks for social scientists via Counterpunch.