AnthroCurrents – May 1, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media Salon covers Fareed Zakaria’s defense of a liberal arts education on The Daily Show and includes a video clip. Rick Scott is probably sorry he ever said the word “anthropology” at this point. The Edwardsville Intelligencer posted an article spreading…

AnthroCurrents – April 17, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media In the discussion of female circumcision we often hear the perspective of unwilling participants who seek to escape this tradition, and of course the Western perspective is easy to obtain. Recently, The Atlantic talked to anthropologist Bettina Shell-Duncan and got…

AnthroCurrents – April 3, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media South Africa’s Business Day reports on Ford’s use of social scientists to drive innovation in their product line. This desire is reportedly due in part to globalization: expanding into markets where consumers have different values and needs requires using professionals…

AnthroCurrents – March 6, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media Radio Australia offers a fascinating perspective on “alcohol-fuelled violence,” which is that it is culturally constructed. Dr. Anne Fox, founder of Galahad SMS Ltd. in the UK is featured, and her research immediately brought to mind an article I read…

AnthroCurrents – February 20, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media Seth Holmes, author of “Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies” was interviewed by PRI’s The World about his field work traveling and working with migrant laborers—from Central California and back to their home in Oaxaca, Mexico. Valentine’s Day must be anthropologist Helen…

AnthroCurrents – February 6, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media Notables A Montana middle school was named for anthropologist Joe Medicine Crow. The Billings Gazette provides an overview of Medicine Crow’s life and achievements. Christian Science Monitor profiles Helen Mack Chang, sister of anthropologist Myrna Mack Chang who was the…

AnthroCurrents – January 23, 2015

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media Music communicates a lot—next time you’re watching a movie, pay attention to the way music directs its audience.  But research conducted by anthropologist Nathalie Fernando and neuroscientist Stephen McAdams will probably convince you that music is not a universal language….

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…

AnthroCurrents – November 28, 2014

A biweekly look at recent stories on anthropology and practicing anthropologists in the popular media The New Republic gives us the in-depth article The Science of Suffering, which discusses PTSD as experienced by different groups of immigrants and their children and how suffering may be passed down to future generations. Two anthropologists are included in…