I wanted an example of a good thesis as I prepare to undertake my first in anthropology and was advised to read ‘Melting Snowflakes – Are Labia the Great Equaliser’ by Lindy McDougall. While it has nothing to do with my focus and I find it suffers from the repetitive tendency of all anthropological work,… Continue reading Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery
Category: Australia
Democratic Failings
Australia is preparing for the federal election this weekend, but I feel as lost as ever. It’s always seemed to me that democracy is just a step in the path to something better. It’s never been the answer to all problems in the developing world as the US, UN and most Western leaders would have… Continue reading Democratic Failings
Knowledge is Wealth
In every anthropology subject I’ve done, the students take turns presenting a topic for each week. I volunteered to start this semester because I’m not sure what demands the book will put on me later on. This week, the topic was around what the term ‘hunters and gatherers’ really means. Can we say that Aborigines… Continue reading Knowledge is Wealth
Indigenous Interests
I’ve just started my final coursework subject for my Masters in Applied Anthropology. It’s on Indigenous Interests and Identity and I think I’m in for a fascinating semester. The lecturer has focused his studies on Aboriginal music and media so we’ll be spending a lot of time looking at the traditional owners of this land.… Continue reading Indigenous Interests
Free Health Care in NZ
I’d already decided this would be my last week of snowboarding before the accident. I probably didn’t enjoy it as much as I had in the past because of the lack of snow cover and the flat light that removed all definition from the snow and blended it perfectly with the mist. There was also… Continue reading Free Health Care in NZ
Less Macho
I overheard two suits talking on the morning train last week. You’d expect these dapper, corporate types to be talking about deals they’ve clinched, chicks they scored with over the weekend or at least the World Cup. No, they were swapping tips for getting dishes clean. What’s happened to the Aussie macho these days? I’m… Continue reading Less Macho
Australia’s First Female Prime Minister
If you blinked, you would have missed it. I don’t watch the news and I don’t pay a lot of attention to the news on the radio, but I usually keep up with events through office chatter and the word on the street. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Rudd resigned due to a slump in… Continue reading Australia’s First Female Prime Minister
Land of Hugs
I’ve never been a fan of the french kiss – the cheek-to-cheek air kiss French people do that is, not the tongue tied kiss we label French. There’s little intimacy or even familiarity in a touching of cheeks, though a couple of Belgian women proved that lips to cheek could go a long way. Instead,… Continue reading Land of Hugs
Consumer Urges
When I first got back from Bhutan, I had the urge to surround myself with possessions. It was both a reaction to the lack of the luxuries of western life and the need to link to my past as I went through the process of separating myself from Marie. Soon afterwards, a longing for the… Continue reading Consumer Urges
Portable Junkies
A Belgian woman recently pointed out to me that Australians are heavy users of portable electronics. Fewer people in Europe have iPhones apparently, but it had only taken her a few days to start acting Australian and taking out her walkman as soon as she got on the bus.