Blog recommendation - Living Anthropologically

I have just discovered the (excellent) blog Living Anthropologically by Jason Antrosio, Associate Professor at Hartwick College. From interesting critiques of Jared Diamond to political and economic anthropology, this blog covers many areas of anthropology in an interesting and accessible way.

The articles are thought-provoking, well researched and backed up with interesting quotes from great-sounding sources (my Amazon Wish List is getting longer with each post I read). Definitely worth a look if you're after something reasonably academic but still readable.

Plus it contains this truly glorious quote from Michel-Rolph Troulliot: At the end of the day, in this age where futures are murky and utopias mere reminders of a lost innocence, we need to fall back on the moral optimism that has been anthropology’s greatest—yet underscored—appeal. But we need to separate that optimism from the naïveté that has been liberalism’s most convenient shield. We need to assume it as a choice—whether we call it moral, philosophical, or aesthetic in the best sense. We need to hang on to it not because we are historically, socially, or politically naïve—indeed, as social scientists we cannot afford such naïveté—but because this is the side of humanity that we choose to prefer, and because this choice is what moved us to anthropology in the first place. We need to assume this optimism because the alternatives are lousy, and because anthropology as a discipline is the best venue through which the West can show an undying faith in the richness and variability of humankind.
-- Michel-Rolph Trouillot, Global Transformations (2003:139)


I recommend starting with the 10 most viewed posts of 2011 and working your way through the archives from there.

Disclaimer: Living Anthropologically does not know I exist. I just enjoy the blog.