Category: Ethnography

A Photo Walk Through Union Square Park

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

Had an unplanned evening in NYC tonight and decided to spend some time observing rather than seeking. Union Square Park is one of those places that attracts "all kinds " and it was a nice return to my anthropological roots to be content with observation and simply capturing the beauty of "hanging out". Here are … Continue reading A Photo Walk Through Union Square Park

Mikes Got The Nuts: Another Observation of Bar Poker Culture

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

I like to play Texas Hold 'Em about once a week or so depending on whether I am traveling or how busy work is keeping me. There are several bar games in my neighborhood - just about every night of the week, actually. Different local sports bars will host or have a promoter host free … Continue reading Mikes Got The Nuts: Another Observation of Bar Poker Culture

Millennial Wedding Rituals: Nuptuals With A Social Media-Inspired Twist

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 3 Comments

I recently attending a wedding where my wife was performing a special selection of songs for the ceremony. It was a Cinderella-style event for one of her voice student's sisters and her college sweetheart husband. Ole Miss, to be exact. The only reason I know is because at some point during toast there was a … Continue reading Millennial Wedding Rituals: Nuptuals With A Social Media-Inspired Twist

A Walk Through East Atlanta

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

My wife and I took an early evening stroll through an often-missed-by-tourists-and-transients part of Atlanta last night. We had both spent most of the week down with a lovely stomach flu and wanted to get out for a minute. Typically, we would head to this part of town for evening's hijynx: drinking and generally hunting … Continue reading A Walk Through East Atlanta

Surviving and Thriving: and its Socital Differences.

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

A timely anthropological piece to ameliorate my mid life crisis of consumption-conscience. Now there’s a mouthful. And here’s a mouthful of social-science objectivity.

livinglifepassionately

The purpose of a human is to adapt and survive in their surroundings. I agree with Jared Diamond’s theory about social inequality in that the reason that some people thrive while others survive is because of the resources around them. In a place where there are a higher yield of resources, these people will thrive and grow exponentially while in other cultures with less raw materials to work with will spend all of their time trying to survive. This does not mean that one culture is better than another, just that they have adapted differently to their surroundings. Three main resources that allowed other cultures to adapt better than others are fertile lands, the domestication of plants, and the domestication of animals. Two cultures that are easily comparable in these regards are Ancient Egypt and the !Kung people of the Kalahari Desert.

Diamond states that the reason that some cultures…

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What Is A Hipster?

~ Thought Catalog ~ Leave a comment

Keeping on the hipster theme, i thought this was an interesting example of cultural discourse. A pretty objective dialogue that really frames the public opinion about "counterculture" and the sociological concept of "us" versus "other". Whether you are a hipster lover, hater or are one yourself (whether you assume the label or not) it's an … Continue reading What Is A Hipster?

The Irony of Hipster Media

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

It seems that the irony of irony-loving hipster culture is the media that caters to it: accepting a fate of perpetual self-deprecation and tongue-in-cheek consumption. Hipsters might not call themselves by name in public or amongst friends - and may even in some cases deny their hipster-ness.  But for the most part, they are a … Continue reading The Irony of Hipster Media

Internetiquiette 101: Social Media Boundaries

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ Leave a comment

I have to admit that being an active social media participant-observer is exhausting albeit gratifying work.  Being a good anthropologist and narcissist, I find myself frequently assessing my reactions others'  social media behavior as influenced by the collective of digital compatriots whom I also have occasion to see in real life from time to time. … Continue reading Internetiquiette 101: Social Media Boundaries

Composer Or Ethnomusicologist? Maria Schneider: An Example of the Human Experience Captured Through Music

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ Leave a comment

As I sat at the kitchen table reading the article below aloud to my wife, over last night's leftover guava pastries and a couple of  home-made cafe con leches, it struck me that I wasn't just reading an article about music.  The way the story takes us through prominent contemporary Jazz composer Maria Schneider's trip … Continue reading Composer Or Ethnomusicologist? Maria Schneider: An Example of the Human Experience Captured Through Music

Thai Curry Paste Episode II: Authentic Green Curry Paste (Kaeng Khiao Wan)

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ Leave a comment

One of the best ways to get to know a culture is through it's food. Culture, bey definition, is created by our collectiive reaction to our environments and other macroforces. Our environment also dictates our subsistence. From an anthropological perspective, I see the culinary tradition as one way we pay homage to the natural environment … Continue reading Thai Curry Paste Episode II: Authentic Green Curry Paste (Kaeng Khiao Wan)