When I started Pedal Powered Anthropology, I thought for a while about what I would "call" myself. Anthropologist didn't seem to quite fit, although it wasn't inaccurate. I wasn't a "documentarian" or "documentary film maker," although more and more that latter part is coming to the forefront.
culture
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.
What’s in a Name?
I spent a lot of time thinking about the name for Pedal Powered Anthropology. I like it. I liked it. The "Anthropology" part is obvious--I'm an anthropologist doing anthropological things. But why "Pedal Powered?"
One Day at Dachau
I cannot think of anything more representative of the absolute worst that humans are capable of than the words on this gate. Arbeit Macht Frei--Work Makes You Free. How long did these gates stand before the words on them took on the meaning they now have? I can't imagine stepping off of a train, not quite knowing what was in store but fearing the worst, and seeing this phrase.
Everyone’s a Victim of Their Time!
The idea of people being "victims of their time," and why I think that's both limited and fallacious, as well as why I think it could also be very well suited to anthropological thought...when taken literally.
That Time I Got to See Jane Goodall
Sitting in a pretty packed auditorium, I reflected on the last couple of days. Some rather fortuitous Facebook browsing combined with the generosity of my old department chair/honors advisor, Mary Baker, as well as some of her colleagues who managed to get ahold of tickets before they were openly available to the public had … Continue reading That Time I Got to See Jane Goodall
So What’s Up With That Peruvian Mummy Anyway?
So part of the Pedal Powered Anthropology project is to help laypeople better understand science. Particularly anthropology and its subfields, but since anthropology can conceivably cover anything ever, it's all fair game as far as I'm concerned. So let's start now. Hoaxes and pseudoscience aren't unfamiliar topics, and I'm pretty confident that anyone who finds … Continue reading So What’s Up With That Peruvian Mummy Anyway?
Welcome!!
Welcome to the Pedal Powdered Antropolgy blog! Pedal Powdered Anthropology is a multifaceted project that aims to bring profound travel experiences to a local level while simultaneously making science and academia more relatable. I am presently based in Rhode Island, so most of my projects will focus on this state and the overall New England … Continue reading Welcome!!
Everyday Anthropology 