Why I Won’t Miss the Missing Link.
The “missing link” is one of the most pervasive ideas in the popular understanding of evolution. I hate it, I’m not alone in hating it, and here’s why.
Category: Discussion
Meme’s the Word
You know those viral internet images that are hilarious and sometimes stinging? They have their roots in the late 70s, directly coined by an Oxford zoologist who was inspired by geneticists, anthropologists, and ethologists in coming up with it.
Excuse Me, Could You Spare a Moment to Talk About Anthropology?
In the wake of the death of missionary John Allen Chau, I talk about the history of colonialism, its effects on indigenous peoples, and the need to respect their wishes.
Archaeology Colonialism Cultural Anthropology Discussion General Science Pseudoscience and Related Tripe
Aliens and Racists and Corn Dogs, oh my!
I love suspending my attachment to established science for the sake of watching a 17 part series of 2 hour episodes of searching a 10,000 year old lake for a creature that’s been extinct for 65 million years as much as anyone. I also have light sabers tattooed to my chest. It doesn’t mean I believe in Star Wars being real, as painful as it is to say that.
Evolution’s Place in Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans. It’s the study of our cultural diversity and developments. Our similarities and differences. It’s the study of our history–hopefully without some of the drawbacks of nationalism that History is criticized for.
It’s the study of our shared heritage. And that includes or place in the Animal Kingdom.
So in order to understand the biological aspects of the field of anthropology, we need to have a basic understanding of evolution.
#Impostersyndromesoreal
On imposter syndrome and the difficulties of creativity in a culture that worships celebrity.
Two Centuries of Loss in One Night.
This past Sunday, September 2, 2018, a fire broke out at the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. Built in a centuries old Palace, the museum had celebrated it’s bicentennial celebration in June.
Studying Everyday Objects Anthropologically
In encouraging readers to learn to view things anthropologically, I study an instrument I bought as a decoration for $3 at a yard sale.
Caveman in the Mirror: The Case for Our Closest Cousins.
Neanderthals are the original “missing link.” That hypothesized link in the chain that connects us to our ever-more-apelike ancestors. Neanderthals have long been assumed to be “less than” human. In anthropological circles, even in lower level anthropology courses, that assumption has been under debate.
An Evening with Eva Kor
I had heard of Eva Kor a few years earlier in her documentary entitled, “Forgiving Dr. Mengele,” which, if you’re aware of who Dr. Mengele was, is a pretty audacious title. Dr. Mengele was the infamous Nazi doctor of Auschwitz concentration/death camp during the Holocaust. His name rose to prominence because of the grotesque experiments he would perform on the prisoners at the camp. His favorite subject was twins. He is also known as the Angel of Death.
Pedal Powered Anthropology 