The hottest Ethnography Substack posts right now

There are two types of consulting: concrete and amorphous. Concrete consulting is clear and focused on known problems, while amorphous consulting deals with unclear and complex issues.
Amorphous consulting involves starting with open conversations to uncover hidden problems. The consultant learns about the organization’s inner workings that insiders often overlook.
The true value of an amorphous consultant comes from asking the right questions and understanding what clients initially can't see. This helps clarify the scope of the work over time.

Woolly dogs were kept by the Coast Salish people for their fur, which was used to make warm blankets. Unfortunately, these dogs went extinct in the late 1800s, leaving only one pelt known today.
Recent research used genetic studies and the historical context of Mutton, a woolly dog, to learn about its unique traits and the care it received from Indigenous people. This shows how important these dogs were to their culture.
The extinction of woolly dogs is connected to historical racism and policies that targeted Indigenous practices. Understanding this context is just as important as studying the genetics of the dogs.

Humanity's transition from foragers to farmers and the formation of mass societies is a recent development in our long history.
Most humans today descend from the group that migrated out of Africa in the last 60,000 years and transitioned from foraging to farming.
The story of Shaka Zulu exemplifies the violent and inevitable transition of humanity from foragers to warlike farmers, leading to the formation of mass societies.

Polygyny often happens in societies where men benefit more than women. This means that men use these marriages to gain extra support from women rather than women wanting to share a wealthy man.
The way marriages are arranged plays a big role in how common polygyny is. When marriages are forced or without much choice, more women end up in polygynous marriages.
If women contribute a lot to family resources and marriages are very controlled, it's easier for polygyny to thrive. In contrast, if women have more say or choice in their marriages, polygyny tends to be less common.

Critiques exist on Jared Diamond's theories, but he still stands tall in biology.
Jared Diamond's 'Anna Karenina Principle' for animal domestication includes characteristics like flexible diet and pleasant disposition towards humans.
The success of modern domestication efforts raises questions about the principles of domestication and our symbiotic relationship with animals.

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Social complexity among hunter-gatherer societies is often underestimated compared to larger agricultural societies.
Anthropologist Robin Dunbar's paper highlights the need for social institutions in managing challenges of group living.
It's important to critically evaluate and not blindly trust generalizations about hunter-gatherer societies from secondary sources.

The book 'Every Twelve Seconds' explores the harsh realities of industrial slaughterhouses and aims to provoke thought about hidden violence in society. It shows how people often ignore the process behind their food.
Tim Pachirat provides a detailed and immersive experience of working in a slaughterhouse, capturing both technical aspects and emotional impacts. Readers start to understand how workers cope with the brutal environment.
The book also discusses the role of USDA inspectors, revealing a complex relationship where regulations become part of the production process rather than a safeguard for quality. This creates a cat-and-mouse game affecting the safety of meat production.