Anthropology

My anthropology teacher has given a series of readings. The first book is psuedo beginners guide to anthropology. The author's goals for his book were to provide an introduction to the basic concepts of anthropology and to chronical the author's very first anthropological study. The author admits in the preface that he himself is far from perfect and that he made many mistakes while on this study. The reason I bring this class and this book up is that in the first classes the teacher has demeaned this book and the author. If she doesn't like the book why did she pick it? My problem is I can't keep my teacher's opinions out of my head. While reading the book, the thought that this author is an idiot is always in the back of my mind. I'm really hoping this goes away and I can take something away from this book.

I discussed this problem with my boss at work and she told me about an exercise she went through while in manager's training. Two groups watched the same taped job interview. One group is told prior to watching the video that the man may seem crude but he has been an effective business man in the shipping industry. While the other group is told that this is a real redneck just bare with it. In the video the man is indeed gruff and is seen spitting tobacco into a cup.(Which is pretty funny that they stoop to that level for characterization.) Both groups are asked if they would hire the man. The group that was given some prior positive info about the man mostly said they would hire him. While none of the group that was given just the bad side said they would hire. The lesson learned I guess that often the learning opinions prior to fact is a heavy decider of one's own opinion.

NOTE on the above photo. The beloved Mel Gibson is not dead. This is some wierd monument to another Mel. It's located at the Crystal Flash on Westnedge.