Digging up the past

On Friday I came across a great article on the dig going on in the Nazi death camp Sobibor. (You can read the article here: http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-archaeologist-digs-nazi-death-camp-184106960.html.) During my last semester in college I had to pick a 400 level tier three course in order to graduate. The kicker was that it had to be outside of my major. So being a history buff and not wanting to stray too far from Anthropology, I chose to take a class on Hitler and Nazi Germany. This is not a topic I had ever studied before. In fact, all I knew was about the extent my high school history class had taught me. Hitler was an evil man from WWII and had sought to eliminate the Jews by mass killings during the Holocaust. That was my knowledge in a nut shell. After taking this course however, my eyes were seriously opened to the atrocities that played out in Germany and other countries Hitler invaded. I now find myself obsessed with learning as much as possible about this time and jump at any opportunity to read up on it. That is one of the reasons I first chose this article, archeology was the second. I worry that, as time goes on, people may begin to forget what happened. The Holocaust and everything that Hitler did, should NEVER be forgotten. I once heard a quote (I have no idea who said it) that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I firmly believe this. We must remember all of the bad that has happened to us as a species. It is a lot of baggage to take on but it is knowledge worth having. Otherwise, we slip into a happy existence where we are blind to what dangers may be coming. The fact that we still have people who are willing to go out and dig for answers, to keep the world public aware of the past, is encouraging. Every once in a while I come across something that I think should be required for people to learn in school. The depth of knowledge I learned in this one course should be delved into during the high school years. Why leave such important information to an optional college course? But then again, I must remember that not everyone enjoys the things I find to be interesting. Sigh*

In other news, Bill Nye "The Science Guy" was in the news today!! Woo Hoo!! I miss this guy...and admit it...the second you read his name you heard the song playing in your head (Bill Nye the science guy, bill, bill, bill...) Yes, I'm a nerd. Get over it. I even have my kids watch his shows which awesomely enough...our local library has available on video. Anyways...I digress.... So Mr. Nye apparently has a video up on youtube about evolution and how ignoring it or saying it didnt happen prevents us from moving forward scientifically. I haven't watched the video but the link to the article is: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/bill-nye-science-guy-hits-evolution-deniers-123047918--abc-news-tech.html. I say, read the article, find the video, watch it and then decide for yourself. I think I am inclined to agree. There would just be far too many gaps in science without the theory of evolution. What do you think?

Neanderthals and Humans...I dont think so!

Woo Hoo!!! Thank you Cambridge University for your study on the link between human DNA and Neanderthal DNA. I was a little shocked, appalled and astounded when researchers came out saying that it appears as though humans and Neanderthals did interbreed after all. Talk about AT LEAST two semesters worth of college lectures thrown out the window. But now it appears as though more pieces of the massive jigsaw puzzle are falling into place. Trending on MSN today is a small piece about how Cambridge University researchers believe that the DNA humans and Neanderthals share "probably resulted from an ancestor we had in common 500,000 years ago." Now I don't wanna just jump up and say "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" but its a pretty big no brainer. Here's what I think about this whole thing, based on pure common sense:

First off, it was very presumptuous of the researchers to come out and say "yes we interbred" without looking at the larger picture. I get that we probably share quite a few genetic markers that are very similar to Neanderthals.After all, we came from a common ancestor, the Homo Heidelbergensis. For whatever reason, we developed into the species that we are today and the Neanderthals developed into what they became. (The same also goes for the species Homo Erectus, who also came from the Homo Heidelbergensis split). Whether it was our brains, brawn's or sheer luck, we survived and thrived. But the same is also probably true of humans and other ape species.Lets also not forget the fact that DNA is extremely complex and as much as science would like to have it all figured out they don't. Even within our own species there is slight genetic variation. Granted, it doesn't lead to an entirely different species but it does make for some very interesting differences among humans.

I think that there are two lessons to be learned from this. First off, never jump the gun. Sure we share DNA with Neanderthals, but what does that really mean? Not long ago it was accepted knowledge that we shared 98% of our DNA with Chimps, but even that school of thought is changing. Secondly, this is a great time to point out that we don't and will probably never know everything there is to know about human evolution. There are just far too many gaps in the puzzle to figure out with little to no evidence to do so. However, it does make for some very interesting reading material so...play on science...play on.

Wanna read the article yourself? Here's the link...
http://now.msn.com/sex-between-humans-and-neanderthals-not-common-study-finds

Yay for being done!!!

Drum roll please...we have finally, officially moved everything from one house to another. Now all I have to do is unpack...(booooo!) I've got a five year plan for this move which includes paying off debt and saving enough money for my family and I to finally, FINALLY be able to buy our own home!!! Can't wait!

In other news...I have been seeing multiple articles out and about lately concerning cool things being found in South America. Gotta love archeology right?! They seem to be the only branch of Anthropology that gets major news coverage. Could have something to do with all the neat stuff they find. I think the following article is worth a read.

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=56841#.UBmf3YFX6uI

Also, just had to share this article out of Virginia City...

http://www.kolotv.com/news/headlines/UNR-Anthropology-Students-Dig-Virginia-CIty--163953836.html?ref=836

Hands down, coolest thing ever! I have never been to Virginia City but it has become one of my favorite places just because of its history. Yeah...I know...digging here is pulling forth information from the historic period, a time we already know a lot about. I have had a number of anthropology professors in the past gripe about wasting time digging historic sites and placing emphasis on ancient sites. Get over it...its all history and its all awesome. Not to mention, Virginia City is reportedly haunted and although I am completely skeptical of the whole ghost thing, I don't discount the possibility that ghosts could exist. If they did, Virginia City would be their Vegas.

With all the moving out of the way, I can hopefully get back into the swing of blogging and such. I am going to start a video blog too which is gonna rock. Mainly because its going to be about baking and it will give me an excuse to back all kinds of yummy goodness. Soooo...if you want a little dish on something other than Anthropology you could check that out too. Ill post a link when its up and running. 

Time...

Sigh...I've become a bad blogger. Almost an entire month has passed since my last posting. It's not because there is nothing worth mentioning, it's just that my life has gotten a little crazier. At the end of the month I will be moving, which ALWAYS sucks. One of these days I am going to find my dream home and never have to move again. Like my grandparents who have been in the same place since the late 60's.

It feels as though very little has gone on in the Anthropology world as of late. I did take note of an interesting article on Yahoo news today about the size of Neanderthals arms and why they think they were larger and more robust then human arms. Once again it was brought up that Neanderthals interbred with humans. While I do not actually support the theory, I am willing to entertain it. I mean after all, a horse and a donkey can mate and still produce offspring (the mule for those of you who don't know). But because they are nearing the end of their evolutionary tract of being able to successfully mate together, the mule is born sterile and cannot reproduce. Or so I hear....I have in fact never met a mule. I wish more people were interested in things of this nature. Wouldn't it be a perfect world to wake up every morning with a news reports centered around Anthropology in some way? Yes, I am that obsessed!

Well, I wish I had more to say, but the truth is I don't. So much is going on that its hard to pick one thing to focus on or rant about. Besides, I want this blog to be about Anthropology and not my personal life. Although I guess I failed at that a few posts ago now didn't I? Sigh*

The Human Condition

Complements of the LA Times

"The human condition." Lets all raise our hands if we've heard this phrase before. I have and I know some of my readers out there have as well. No...its not looking at humans or their bones (as the picture above may lead one to believe) and determining their condition. The human condition examines what it is to be human in today's world. It strips away class, race, and what ever other labels or markers we give to one another, leaving only one behind...human. It invokes deep thought and study on issues such as the meaning of life, the constant need to seek happiness and pleasure, and death. (And no...if you came here for the answer to that pesky meaning of life question, I don't have one for you. I believe everyone has their own meaning that they must find. No two are exactly alike.)

So where am I going with this? To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. Fun huh? This is just something I found myself thinking about today as I made my way through my normal routine (since apparently, my brain has nothing better to do.) I do not study the human condition. I will leave the brilliance of that field to people who actually go to school for it. However, I do think about it from time to time. My main tract of thought this morning revolved around one single topic that spans all humans, no matter their point of origin, their "racial" classification (quote marks because, as a disclaimer, I don't believe in the concept of race...its a social construct...but that's a soapbox rant for another post), and/or their economic status. That topic is survival.

As we have gone from one time to another, one generation to another, the survival needs of humans change. There was a time when all humans had to think about was how to safely cross the open grass plains of Africa without becoming some hungry lions meal, so they could get to the food, water or shelter on the other side. The survival instincts we first developed standing at the edge of those forests looking out over the grass are still with us today. But how do we use them?

Each culture, each society, each person, uses their need to survive in different ways. For some survival is wealth, for others its the simple life. Some people need world class food cooked by world class food stars others can pluck a carrot from the ground and eat it, dirt and all. In some locations survival can mean making it a block from your house to school without being shot in a drive by, in others its making sure you have your bear spray on you at all times. We each adapt to our situations, to our environments. These adaptations are not set. They change as we change, they adjust as we move along earths mighty surface. We adapt, as we have for hundreds of thousands of years.

As I struggle with my own sense of survival, my own sense of being a human amongst 7 billion others, I can't help but think about what it means to survive in our world today. Is it harder being alive today then a thousand years ago, or easier? Are we getting smarter or dumber? (I had at least one professor in college who swore humans had reached peak intelligence several generations ago.) Is our sense of survival and our need to continue our lives and the lives of our children as strong today as it was when we first walked upright? I can't answer these questions, which in and of it's self is frustrating. I'm an answers kinda gal, so nothing ticks me off more than when my brain comes up with a new impossible to answer question. I do know however that no matter what my situation may be, there are others who are far, far less fortunate than I, who struggle to survive in ways I could never begin to imagine. We must remind ourselves that even though we are all individuals and each of our lives will take a different path, for better or for worse, we must live on this planet together, as one people, one species. We will never overcome our cultural differences but we can exercise tolerance towards each other without the world coming to an end.

Small town marketing 101

Stevenson, WA (Picture from columbiariverimages.com)

Hood River, OR (Picture from gonorthwest.com)

I'm about to get very critical of the small town that I live in so we will see how this goes. Don't hate me for my honesty. I understand that this is me comparing Stevenson to Hood River again but I just can't help it. I've been to Hood River twice this last weekend and I noticed some things that made me want to rant a bit about storefront appearance.

The Columbia River Gorge is known for basically two things, outdoor extreme sports and natural beauty as far as the eye can see. We are where the adventure seeking crowd come to when they want to have a little fun. This is true of both Stevenson and Hood River. This last weekend, after we screened our movie (which was amazing by the way and got huge laughs) my husband and I wondered around the downtown shopping district of Hood River. As I walked down the street and gazed into the windows I realized that Hood River has learned something that Stevenson has not. The stores along the downtown strip (a larger version of what we have in Stevenson) have a cohesiveness about them that caters perfectly to the demographic they are trying to attract. The strip is lined with stores that are earthy in appearance yet clean and simplistic. Most of them are not to cluttered and all of the window displays entice the passerby to peak inside at what they may have to offer for the shoppers latest adventure. It's as though all of the shop owners got together and decided that that was the appearance they wanted everyone to achieve. And who knows, perhaps there's some city code or ordinance that says it has to be that way. All I know is that when you walk down the main shopping strip of Hood River it is oddly calming despite the heavy traffic and large crowds. You feel a sense of still being connected to nature without actually being in it and you are not overwhelmed by crowded shops with no clear direction on what they are selling. In Stevenson, this is not the case.

The main street of Stevenson is riddled with little stores. All of them (except one) are your usual mom and pop type of place...a chain store snuck in a few years back but they are attempting to blend in which I am thankful for. Out of all the stores only four come to mind as actually maintaining the same type of air as those stores in Hood River. The main feel you get when driving downtown Stevenson is that there is a Hodge podge of stores selling many different things attempting to attract many different types of customers. Don't get me wrong. I love Stevenson and I am especially fond of our little downtown. To me it is something you might find on the front of a post card. However, with a lagging economy and a struggle to attract new businesses and investors in our community I think that something can be said for storefront presence. When a community displays clear cohesiveness and gets rid of the clutter it makes it seem like it has its act together. Kinda like you can clean your front room and straighten the dinning room but if the rest of the house is messy it is still an unattractive place to be. I believe that if you are going to run a business and know that you are going to be on prime real estate you should have the drive and the desire to create a presence that is reflective of the community and of the type of people the community attracts. That being said...Stevenson is still home and I do love it here. This is mainly to serve as an example for others who may read and want to know how they can better dress their stores or shops for success. If your gonna exist in a small town who's tourism industry is based around nature, your store needs to reflect that energy.

Speaking Teen...

It's been real busy 'round the work site lately. We are currently looking at and assessing current community outreach activities and working with a teen prevention group to create community appropriate materials. The teen program is by far one of my favorites. There is a 9 year gap between me and high school and I tell ya what...the times have changed! The teens teach me new things all the time, for better or for worse. For instance, I have recently realized that you can use the word "like" as many times in a sentence as it will fit. Without our teen group though there would be no way we could successfully reach that community. Yeah...I know what your thinking...I can speak teen. Uhh...no. Unless your a teen, you can't speak or understand their language or culture.

This is why I love using Anthropology in my outreach work. I know that the best way to reach this group with our message is to go directly to them and hear from them what they need or want. Its called "meeting them where their at." The teen years are a tough time. Not just because of hormones but also because of other things. For instance, teens are in what we anthropologists call the "liminal phase." What is this liminal phase, you ask? Well, basically it's the in between state. Teens are no longer children, but they are also not yet adults. They are in a transitional period where they are shaping their adult identities and trying to gain responsibility while holding onto childish wants and behaviors. Those people in the liminal phase have no real place in society, so society must decide what to do with them. This can lead to all kinds of conflicts and challenges. Teens don't want adults coming to their schools and groups and telling them what to do. They want to think for themselves and to learn for themselves. They gain information and experience from and with their peers. Taking this into account, we are working to shape our teen outreach program through teens. We want to use their ideas, their language, and their humor to develop our programs. This is the only manner through which we will reach this group. Walking in and talking from our perspective would go in one ear and out the next. Ill give you an example...

Take language. Teens have their own language. Adults tend to be very formal in their language usage. When coming in they bring with them the language of whatever field they are working in (jargon). In our field we frequently talk about "healthy relationships." In a recent meeting with our teen group I asked them how they felt about that term, "healthy relationships." They didn't think much of it at all. As a matter of fact, it meant nothing to them. Teens don't think about relationships as healthy or unhealthy. They think of them as good or bad. So putting up posters in the school that talk about healthy relationship as opposed to good relationships is not going to reach our target audience.

I guess my overall point of this is that if you are going to be doing outreach of any kind, or marketing for that matter, you HAVE to talk to and gain an understanding of the people you want to market towards. This means going above and beyond the traditional survey and talking to people. Survey's don't allow follow up questions. They don't allow you to probe deeper. Gaining a better understanding of your target group will make any campaign more effective than if you just go it alone.