I am trying to give my self a data set of anthropological observations that exist outside my day job. But I also use this content and work to contribute to and add value to the work I do here: www.northstarhub.com
I also think some of this stuff could be interesting to others.
I think we are all observers of our world to some degree or another. We all have an inner anthropologist looking around and learning and reacting to the curious bits of human culture.
So, I have tasked myself with trying to answer the questions of what “makes” American Culture. Typically speaking, the things that ultimately define or create culture start out on the fringes, or in the “weirdo” space. So I observe a lot of that. But then there is the stuff that can get lost in the mundanity of our day to day that is also particularly fascinating if you REALLY take a hard look at it. It will try to bring that to the fore as well.
And I encourage commentary from my readers (if there are any out there), because human observations only have meaning if assigned it by other humans. I am deeply interested in the meaning others find out there. So, please share.
What’s ‘reality TV’? Why you talk funny? What’s ‘American Culture’?
I’ll be back to check up on you.
Wonderful blog! Congrats on Freshly Pressed!
Thanks, David!
There is no meaning out there. Take a look at yourself.
We put ourselves “out there” every day. So logic would have it that the meaning we find within becomes more meaningful when experienced as a collective. Everyone needs a roadmap to find it every now and then.
Reality TV? No thanks. Watching real people being silly in a retail environment, now that is fun.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Consumers are funny creatures. But those “Real Housewives” paint a pretty silly picture too.
I might have a few useful keywords about american culture here:
War
Obesity
Ignorance
Consumerism
Fear
& and cheesy movies!
I hope it’s not too negative, though all of them seem true to me.
Love
Andy
You are an anthropologist, Andy!
Now remove your personal biases (tough to do, I know) and use objective words and narrative to describe those observations. Yours definitely all “work”, but te challenge is to look at it scientifically to understand the “why”.
it’s a basic human problem…which is why I try to mollify my self-deprecating-American tendencies with some humor in an attempt to understand what drives our culture and potentially what needs to happen to steer it toward a more universally “sustainable” place. Thanks for reading and I hope you get some fuel for thought.
You definitely gave me some fuel right there!
Scientifically speaking, I would say that the lack of knowledge and personal growth is the root of these problems. The lack of personal growth could come from the lack of knowlegde, though, and the lack of knowledge could be rich people’s lack of compassionate education of lower class people.
I hope this makes some sence, and that I’ve hit the nail just a little… And I’m sorry to use up so much space on your about page!
Thanks for the reply!
From your blog you sound like a remarkable young man, Andy. Take up as much space as you need. The world could use more explorers like you. And I am delighted that you have found a perspective in my blog to contribute to the scenery along your journey. Keep searching and inviting the us all to come with you…
I’m grateful of your kind words!
I will definitely keep searching every corner of everything searchable!
Keep up your own journey as well!
Are you really a 16 year old boy?
I would like to know what makes a person tick that loves reality tv and Behind the scenes of any thing, I am proud to be an american, but our downfall as a culture may be coming due to a lack of wisdom, we have great knowldege but lack the wisdon to know how to use the knowldege we do have. Humans in general pave their own way through life, If we had all the answers that we seek then the rest of our lives would be boring and meaningless. What humans of any culture not just american culture need to be doing is working to make life better and let the answers find us.
Ok am I broken and not normal? by reading what your wrote made me think and this is what came out of my brain. Am I missing your point? the why is the question of the universe we may never know.
Just to get an anthropological flavor of some of the impacts of such things as medical practices on culture, you might want to consider this article: titled: “Obstetric care and proneness of offspring to suicide as adults” http://www.bmj.com/content/317/7169/1346.full Although this connection was noticed in Sweden, I think it shows how deep it environment can go toward shaping culture and personal identity. Periods of famine, economic factors and so on are probably part of the equation.
This is a great blog. Thanks for all your posts. Do you have a Twitter or a LinkedIn?
Glad u like he blog. Find me @thebrandsherpa on twitter and WordPress blog by same name will have connection to my LinkedIn account.
I consistently enjoy your blog posts. Thanks.
Thanks, Robert. Makes it worth the effort knowing folks like you are getting something out of it.
LOVE this post. You sound amazing and your words resonated a lot with me. You are a great writer and very intelligent. I am also what you call an “observer.” Amateur one at that, but I am fascinated with all that is society and culture. Please check out my blog, I would love your input!
I recently completed my undergrad in Anthropology. I can’t possibly fully articulate how excited I am that you are freshly pressed and that I’ve found you through that avenue. JOY!
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I’ve just come accross this blog and I would be interested to read more of it in the future as well as share the ‘meanings [we] find out there’. As far as I’m concerned that’s the most we can do for each other.
I would also be grateful to receive some feedback on my recently started initiative in a similar field of inquiry.
Best wishes.