The Captivating and Curious Careers of Anthropology

Summary

This video series from the American Anthropological Association highlights the diverse roles anthropologists play in understanding and addressing global issues. From tech ethnography and urban anthropology to forensics and sociolinguistics, each anthropologist's story illustrates how their work impacts society, from influencing technology design to advocating for community rights and uncovering historical truths. The series showcases anthropology's broad applications, emphasizing its importance in connecting with and improving human lives.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Anthropology is a field that studies human beings in all aspects, including culture, society, and biology.
• 🌟 The American Anthropological Association has created a video series to highlight the contributions of anthropologists to solving global issues.
• 💡 Anthropologists like Tricia Wang use their expertise to help companies understand human behavior and translate business questions into human questions.
• 🏙️ Urban anthropologists, such as Diego Vigil, work to resolve community problems and challenge oppressive systems, like gang injunctions.
• 🔍 Archaeologists, like Michael Pappalardo, study human activity and culture through different methodologies, often uncovering hidden histories.
• 🗣️ Sociolinguists, like Mackenzie Price, examine the relationship between language, social life, and behavior, helping to shape public understanding and policy.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Anthropologists often work in interdisciplinary teams, applying their knowledge to various fields such as technology, law, and urban planning.
• 🏛️ The study of anthropology can lead to a wide range of careers, from traditional academic roles to applied fields like forensic science.
• 🔬 Forensic anthropologists apply their knowledge of human osteology to help with legal investigations, including identifying remains and determining causes of death.
• 🌱 Anthropology provides a broad understanding of human beings, which can be applied to address societal issues and bring about positive change.

Q & A

What is anthropology and why is it considered important in today's world?

Anthropology is the study of human beings, encompassing our clothes, homes, bodies, language, thoughts, past, present, and future. It is considered important because it helps us understand the complexities of human culture and society, allowing us to tackle pressing global issues and contribute to human understanding.

How does technology reflect our identity according to Tricia Wang?

Tricia Wang suggests that the way we use technology is an expression of our identity. She explains that we have multiple, elastic identities, and the way we express ourselves varies across different apps and platforms, which is often overlooked by engineers and product designers.

What is the 'flip' that Tricia Wang refers to in her work?

The 'flip' is a concept Tricia Wang uses to describe the process of translating a business question into a human question. This helps companies understand their customers on a deeper level and can lead to more effective business strategies.

What role did Diego Vigil play in the case against the gang injunction?

Diego Vigil, as an urban anthropologist, testified in court against the gang injunction, providing insights into the social nature of the community affected. His testimony contributed to winning the case, which was the first of its kind, and led to a more cautious approach by the courts and district attorneys in Orange County regarding gang injunctions.

How does Michael Pappalardo's work as an archaeologist contribute to understanding communities?

Michael Pappalardo's work involves examining the impacts of projects on archaeological resources, often focusing on the day-to-day remains of people whose stories might not be well-documented. This work provides opportunities to understand what communities were like in the past, contributing to a better integration of communities today.

What was the significance of finding human remains at the East Harlem bus depot site?

The discovery of human remains at the East Harlem bus depot site, which was once a cemetery, changed the approach to the redevelopment of the area. It brought an emotional connection to the task force working on the site, emphasizing the importance of the site's history and the need for sensitive redevelopment.

How does Mackenzie Price's work as a sociolinguist involve language and social behavior?

Mackenzie Price, as a sociolinguist, studies the relationship between language and social life. Her work involves helping non-profit organizations communicate effectively about their work and policy advocacies, ensuring that complex ideas like brain development in young children are communicated in ways that resonate with various audiences.

What is the role of a forensic anthropologist in death investigations?

A forensic anthropologist, like the one described in the script, works with law enforcement and medical examiners to apply their knowledge of human osteology to determine the cause and manner of death. They ask specific questions and use their training to rule out other possibilities, providing closure to families and helping to understand what happened.

How did the forensic anthropologist contribute to the identification of Private Bayne from World War II?

The forensic anthropologist contributed to the identification of Private Bayne by reviewing his records and noticing a discrepancy in his dental reports. This attention to detail allowed for the correct identification of Bayne, providing closure to his family after 60 years.

Why is the anthropology degree valuable according to the script?

The anthropology degree is valuable because it provides a broad overview of human beings, allowing professionals to understand and respect the complexities of life and death. It equips them with the skills to help families during difficult times and to contribute to a better understanding of our past and present societies.