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anthropology in the news

An anthropologist finds insight into Japan’s bad-loan crisis

Published on by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, books, corporate & business anthropology, fieldwork / methods

The Japan Post

“Unless you understand how money is moving about the economy, it is impossible to have any meaningful analysis of a society or its culture; and unless you look at cultural issues, it is difficult to ever understand how a financial system works when it is outside your own culture”, says anthropologist Gillian Tett >>continue (link updated)

The Japan Post

"Unless you understand how money is moving about the economy, it is impossible to have any meaningful analysis of a society or its culture; and unless you look at cultural issues, it is difficult to ever understand how…

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Survival of the fittest? Survival of the nicest!

Published on by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, persons and theories, Us and Them

Washington University in St. Louis

Are altruism and morality artificial outgrowths of culture, created by humans to maintain social order? Or is there, instead, a biological foundation to ethical behavior? “We believe that, instead of being genetically predisposed to competition and aggression, humans have a biological foundation for unselfish social interaction,” sazs Robert W. Sussman, Ph.D., a professor of anthropology >>continue (Link updated)

Washington University in St. Louis

Are altruism and morality artificial outgrowths of culture, created by humans to maintain social order? Or is there, instead, a biological foundation to ethical behavior? "We believe that, instead of being genetically predisposed to competition and…

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Lowly weeds may hold promise for curing host of common health woes

Published on by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, indigenous people / minorities, Latin- and Central America, medical anthropology / ethnobothany, Native American

Innovations Report

“If I had one place to go to find medicinal plants, it wouldn’t be the forest,” said John Richard Stepp, a University of Florida anthropologist. “There are probably hundreds of weeds growing right outside people’s doors they could use.” He found the area’s Mayan residents use weeds for all sorts of day-to-day illnesses, such as common colds, upset stomachs, skin rashes, and aches and sprains >>continue

Innovations Report

"If I had one place to go to find medicinal plants, it wouldn’t be the forest," said John Richard Stepp, a University of Florida anthropologist. "There are probably hundreds of weeds growing right outside people’s doors they could use."…

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Migration and development – a report from Tonga

Published on by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, development empowerment, migration, Pacific Oceania

New Zealand Herald

Millions of dollars pour out of New Zealand every year. Remittance, the practice of migrant Pacific Islanders sending money and goods back home, is deeply ingrained in the culture. Remittances as no different from aid, albeit less effective. The money goes on daily needs, school fees, church conferences, consumables and capital development like building houses >>continue

New Zealand Herald

Millions of dollars pour out of New Zealand every year. Remittance, the practice of migrant Pacific Islanders sending money and goods back home, is deeply ingrained in the culture. Remittances as no different from aid, albeit less effective.…

Read more