Friday, May 29, 2009
As I had said before, for me, the most interesting branch of Social Anthropology is the Economical Anthropology. Besides, I consider that Marvin Harris (1927-2001) is one the most prominent of this branch of Anthropology. Harris was an american anthropologist whose main work was the development of "Cultural Materialism" which is a very controversial subject for discussion. He based his work in theories from Malthus and Marx. The Cultural Materialism consists of giving an materialistic explanation that normally is related to the shortage of resources or demographical problems. Another contribution from Harris to Anthropology is the distinction between an emic and an etic explanation (terms got from phonetics). Emic represents the way by which the members of any specific culture explain a particular phenomenon whereas etic represents a scientific explanation that any external observer is capable to see in order to explain the same phenomenon. In sum, I like his work because he found an explanation for what it's called irrationality of cultures. He shows us how most of the practices, beliefs and rituals come from natural need.
To illustrate his idea, I think about his article "Mother cow", Why all the starving peasants of India refuse to eat their cows? The emic explanation is that cows are a sacred animals, but the etic explanation says that cows are more valuable as a source of fuel than as a protein input (excrement and orine of the cows are used as fuel in the kitchen)
To illustrate his idea, I think about his article "Mother cow", Why all the starving peasants of India refuse to eat their cows? The emic explanation is that cows are a sacred animals, but the etic explanation says that cows are more valuable as a source of fuel than as a protein input (excrement and orine of the cows are used as fuel in the kitchen)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I'm studying Social Anthropology, but honestly I wasn't very convinced of my choice at the begining, I mean when I had to choose a career. I made my decision in a very short time. I remember I was in my last days at school and I think I chose Anthropology because I liked the Social Sciences. Thus, It wasn't my only option, in fact I was doubtful of waht to decide because I liked Sociology also, but at that time I thougth: "would my parents freak out if they had two kids studying sociology?" my brother and I doing the same? I don't think so (lol). Actually, I questioned my choice for a long time because my future depended on that decision. I remember of thinking that when someone has to start his/her working life and that they are going to do the same for the rest of their lives, the decision has to be very careful and based on their personal interests. then, I realized that Anthropology is a discipline that involves so many areas related to human behavior within the society, which is a very changeable fact, and there is a constant seek for answers, so everyday more anthropologists are needed to make more understandable this social phenomenon.Besides, through all these years I've acquired more knowledge about the work involved in my career. and, now, that I'm very close of starting my working life, I've understood that Anthropology is a unique tool that offers us a qualitative methodology useful to percive other perspectives concerning to society that aren't seen very often by other sciences. That is why I've become more aware and interested in economical or social development subjects. In this cases Anthropology provides me of a different point of view about the human reality that is not considered very often.
Friday, May 08, 2009
I have a digital camera that my parents gave me when I had to travel Valdivia almost two years ago. I used it to take pictures of the beautiful landscapes of the region. on the other hand, I'm not a freaking fan of taking pictures, most of the time I take pictures in special occasions or when I think I would like to remind what I'm watching for the rest of my life, because our memory is very fragile and a picture can help me to remind it. Most of the photos I have taken are of my family members and friends.This photo was taken by my one of my brothers last year, and it shows my little cousin with me in one of the many occasions in wich we are pictured together. Specifically, I really like this picture because belongs to our last vacations together. My cousin's name Valentina and she is an adorable girl that I love as if she were my little sister. That is why love having pictures of her; in adition, I miss her a lot during the year, and we can't see each other as often as we would like because she lives in Copiapó and I'm living here in Santiago.
Every time I look at this picture where she appears or when I look at any other picture in which my family appears, I feel very nostalgic and I start thinking that I would really like to go back to my home in order to see all those people I love the most.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Most of time, when I have to do homeworks or look for somethings related to my career, I'm not used to visit a unique website. In fact, I choose the site depending on the subject of my task. But if I had to mention one website I prefer, I would say "Inversa, Revista de Estudiantes de Antropología" is the one. It's the site about Social Anthropology where you can find published papers, pieces de news concerning to the career, there is also the possibility that users publish their own papers and links to other websites that are meant to deal with the same subject.I come across the website when I was looking specific information for an assignment I had. So, I was surfing on google.com and within the list of suggested links I found it. Then, I started to check its content, and I considered it very interesting because it has general as well as specific information about different anthropological themes. Honestly, I don't use this website very often, I only use when I have to do my homeworks or to look for some information I need for one of my classes. I like this site because there you can always find any useful information.
To check this website, the link is:
http://www.inversa.unal.edu.co/paginas_de_informacion_general/enlaces_relacionados/enlaces_relacionados_antropologia_social.htm
To check this website, the link is:
http://www.inversa.unal.edu.co/paginas_de_informacion_general/enlaces_relacionados/enlaces_relacionados_antropologia_social.htm
Friday, April 17, 2009
My favourite piece of technology is a device used for listening music. It' s a pink mp4 player that my dad bought for me almost a year ago. Since then, it has become the most valued technological device I have had; in adition I use it every single day. My musical interests are very varied, I would say eclectic because I have rock latino, pop rock, rap and some danceable music.As I said before I use my mp4 every day, but the importance of it changes according to the circuntances. For example, sometimes I use it while I' m cleaning the house only if I want to, but when I' m going out, it gets more important and I would add totally necessary. I use it specially when I' m feeling bored on a long journey on the bus or tired after a busy day at University. In that way, the trips gets less boring. That is why I consider this technological device essential for my life. Besides, listening some music can be funny and at the same time music can change your mood to face the day.
If I did not have my mp4, the daily activities I have would be so boring that I would not do them in the same way as when I have a good song to go with them. So, if I lose it, I would buy a new one without any consideration. It's has become a part of my daily life.
If I did not have my mp4, the daily activities I have would be so boring that I would not do them in the same way as when I have a good song to go with them. So, if I lose it, I would buy a new one without any consideration. It's has become a part of my daily life.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
What can I to say about me? My name is Silvia, I' m from Copiapó, located in the north of Chile, it's the city where I was born and grew up. I came to study Social Anthropology in the Universidad de Chile. Actually, I'm in the 4th year, my career is very interesting because treat a lot topics about of the society.Besides, I love to cook desserts and cakes, I like to write shorts stories and absurds things. I like to read novels too. I adore the Magical Realism; my favourite book is "Cien años de soledad".
In this moment, I'm trying to practice my english because I have class learn to language because it's very important to be connected with the world.
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