Recently, I read how a woman described herself as 'exotic' on Social Media. When I asked about this descriptor, she replied that's what she is: from Latin America, from the jungle! In my personal experience, exotic is usually used ethnocentrically, by people who describe people different than themselves. For me, it has a racist connotation, … Continue reading Owning Stereotypes?
Tag: Ethnography
(Not) Doing Fieldwork in Times of COVID-19
How does one begin a new research project these days? It's difficult to begin a new research project without funding. It's difficult to get funding without (a lot) of experience in a new field. So the plan was clear: use some of my own funds for a brief, exploratory field trip to the new place … Continue reading (Not) Doing Fieldwork in Times of COVID-19
My K-Pop Experience: My Ears Are Bleeding!
Did you ever attend a boy band concert? I did. Not as a teenager as many of my classmates did during my teenage days. But as an adult (if I want to call myself adult), chaperoning a teenager. My experience began at the checkroom where I met one of my students who worked at the … Continue reading My K-Pop Experience: My Ears Are Bleeding!
About Gardening: Publish or Perish
I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many rooms are going to be in the house, what kind of roof they're going to have, where the wires are going to run, what kind … Continue reading About Gardening: Publish or Perish
Thriller! Pop Culture 2.0
I recently went to a party playing (almost) exclusively Madonna and Michael Jackson songs. We were not sure what to expect. An empty dance floor? A crowded club? A few hours before the party, we checked the Facebook event. Chantal was excited about the upcoming evening and posted a picture of her outfit for the … Continue reading Thriller! Pop Culture 2.0
Sexual Harassment In the Field: On Academic Assholes (Part II)
A few days ago, I talked about academic assholes and elaborated on supervisor assholes. Today, I want to talk about those saddening peer assholes. Everyone met them. Competitive, judging, arrogant, selfish, self-centered, self-involved (basically every word that begins with ‘self’), nonempathic. The list is endless. I started avoiding these people, but sometimes, you don’t have … Continue reading Sexual Harassment In the Field: On Academic Assholes (Part II)
Fun At the Gym. Maybe.
I go to the gym three or four times a week. I try to go when no one else does, usually around noon or in the afternoon—a crowded gym annoys me. My gym is a bit expensive and accordingly, most members are from a certain economic class. There is diversity, but not a lot. (It’s … Continue reading Fun At the Gym. Maybe.
A Day In a Theme Park
Theme park or amusement park? Have you ever wondered whether there is any difference between the two terms?Arthur Levine (2019) I did. So when I started this post, I found Arthur Levine's article "What is the Difference Between a Theme Park and an Amusement Park?" and learned that I visited a theme park. Rough rule … Continue reading A Day In a Theme Park
Stop Being Such Assholes
Before getting to my main argument, I want to highlight two things: The term ‘asshole,’ as I understand it, is gender-neutral. To make sure it is, I googled it and found this convincing post by redw6452. FYI: it’s quite difficult to google ‘asshole for women.’ Most hits explain how to be a perfect asshole to … Continue reading Stop Being Such Assholes
Old People Party?
I once saw a meme about anthropologists. "When an anthropologist goes to a bar, it's called participant observation." So, here we go: There is a weekday party in my city. It's advertised for working people. For people who need to get up early the following day. 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Not a minute longer. When … Continue reading Old People Party?
