thursday Feb 26th: Anthropology

an⋅thro⋅pol⋅o⋅gy

   /ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒi/ Show Spell

1.	the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.

2.	the study of human beings' similarity to and divergence from other animals.

3.

the science of humans and their works. Accodring to http://www.cyberpursuits.com/anthro/ : "Anthropology is a science of humankind. It studies all facets of society and culture. It studies tools, techniques, traditions, language, beliefs, kinships, values, social institutions, economic mechanisms, cravings for beauty and art, struggles for prestige. It describes the impact of humans on other humans. With the exception of the Physicial Anthropology discipline, Anthropology focuses on human characteristics generated and propogated by humans themselves." In several ways, I feel as if my project is anthropological. Here we have a behavior that is part of mainstream human lifestyle, at least in the wealthier countries, and it is certainly shifting. For better or for worse, for reasons we may not understand yet. It makes me wonder who anthropologists hundreds of years from now will look back on today, and what they will say. I think, in trying to capture the details, I'm going to have to drop the tight, somewhat emotional POV and keep it straight/documentary. You know, make it look like something the anthropologists could use.