Margaret Mead interview on Cultural Anthropology (1959)

Mead explains her views on what Mitchell describes as the “happy savage” myth, largely dispelling the notion while referencing the idea of cultural ethos—the “emotional tone” of a society—and its variation from group to group. She also deftly articulates (several decades ahead of her time) the manner in which Western development and influences erode the cultural traditions and physical territories of indigenous peoples. Even today, viewers will find Mead’s views on polygamy, morality, women’s roles, and other topics riveting and highly relevant.

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Carl Sagan on (why we should save kids from) central government's educational system

“…my experience, my experience is… you go, talk to kindergarten kids or first grade kids… you find a class full of science enthusiasts and they ask deep questions… What is a dream? Why do we have toes? Why is the moon round? What's the birthday of the world? Why is grass green?... These are profound important questions they just bubble right out of them... You go and talk to 12th grade students and there's none of that, they've become leaden and incurious… Something terrible has happened between kindergarten and 12th grade and that's not just puberty…”

Chronicles of Consciousness: Ursula K. Le Guin's Exploration of Societal Constructs

Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (1929–2018) was an eminent American author, primarily recognized for her speculative fiction, encompassing the Hainish universe science fiction and the Earthsea fantasy series. Her work deeply reflects the influence of cultural anthropology, Taoism, feminism, and the writings of Carl Jung. Le Guin frequently incorporated anthropological perspectives and Taoist principles of balance in her stories. She was renowned for challenging conventional speculative fiction norms, with her groundbreaking use of dark-skinned protagonists in Earthsea and innovative stylistic techniques in works like "Always Coming Home" (1985). Her narratives prominently tackled themes of race, gender, sexuality, and maturation, often delving into alternative political constructs as seen in "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" (1973) and the anarchist utopian novel "The Dispossessed" (1974). Notably, "The Dispossessed" underscores the juxtaposition of a...

Sumer's Echo: Philosophical, Legal and Cultural Reflections on an Ancient Cradle of Civilization

The innovative and flourishing Sumerian civilization, nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, greatly influenced the foundations of modern society approximately 5,000 years ago. Recognized as the birthplace of writing, urban centers, science, and legal systems, Sumer's ingenuity originated from its pioneering inhabitants. Its pre-eminent city-state, Uruk, which housed up to 40,000 residents, showcased remarkable architectural achievements, including the renowned ziggurat dedicated to Anu, predating even Egypt's Great Pyramid. The necessity for record-keeping, propelled by its agricultural triumphs, led to the invention of writing around 3500 B.C. Merchants utilized clay tablets, inscribed with symbols, which evolved into the sophisticated Sumerian script by 3200 B.C. This reed-impressed writing system, termed cuneiform due to its wedge-shaped appearance, became an essential communication tool, spreading throughout Mesopotamia via trade and conquests. Despite being a do...

Multidisciplinary Musings: Law, Culture, and the Mind in the Digital Era

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