The hottest Societies Substack posts right now

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Dynamics of Polygyny in Hunter-Gatherer Societies, Part 1

Traditions of Conflict • 13 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Societies Marriage Anthropology Ethnography
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

A novel take on group differences in test scores. Part I

America in Crisis • 119 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🔬 Science Intelligence Evolution Genetics Culture Societies
  1. Culture plays a crucial role in group differences in test scores and IQ measurements, alongside genetics and environment.
  2. IQ scores are influenced by both genetic and cultural components, with culturally-loaded tests showing higher heritability.
  3. Over time, group differences in IQ can be attributed more to the cultural component rather than the genetic one, with national IQ averages possibly rising with economic growth.

Cultural Memory in the Digital

GOOD INTERNET • 17 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History Digital Memory Societies Identity
  1. Cultural memory in the digital realm is different than traditional cultures, as the digital lacks mechanisms for long-term cultural memory.
  2. The digital environment is ever-changing and lacks the ability to canonize cultural artifacts, leading to a constant flux that challenges societal identity formation.
  3. Without reliable mechanisms for cultural memory in the digital age, there is a risk of losing collective identity and facing ongoing culture wars over historical meanings.

Cultural Transmission in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Cultural transmission Digital Age Globalization Societies
  1. Culture is fundamental to human survival, enabling us to adapt and thrive in different environments over centuries.
  2. Increased global connectivity through the internet and digital technologies is leading to significant cultural exchanges and interactions.
  3. Cultural clashes and conflicts in today's digital spaces highlight the importance of understanding and navigating cultural differences for societal cohesion and global cooperation.

Imagining New Societies in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Societies Technology Ideologies Revolution Communication
  1. Throughout history, humans have created new societies, and in the digital age, this continues through online connections and shared ideas.
  2. Revolutionary technologies like the internet have connected us globally, enabling the sharing of cultural norms and the imagining of new ways to organize society.
  3. There is a trend of exploring new societal structures, with some groups seeking physical spaces, creating virtual societies, or forming communities within existing cities with more autonomy.
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