The Art of Being Human

by Michael Wesch

Anthropology is the study of all humans in all times in all places. But it is so much more than that. “Anthropology requires strength, valor, and courage,” Nancy Scheper-Hughes noted. “Pierre Bourdieu called anthropology a combat sport, an extreme sport as well as a tough and rigorous discipline. … It teaches students not to be afraid of getting one’s hands dirty, to get down in the dirt, and to commit yourself, body and mind. Susan Sontag called anthropology a “heroic” profession.” What is the payoff for this heroic journey? You will find ideas that can carry you across rivers of doubt and over mountains of fear to find the the light and life of places forgotten. Real anthropology cannot be contained in a book. You have to go out and feel the world’s jagged edges, wipe its dust from your brow, and at times, leave your blood in its soil. In this unique book, Dr. Michael Wesch shares many of his own adventures of being an anthropologist and what the science of human beings can tell us about the art of being human. This special first draft edition is a loose framework for more and more complete future chapters and writings. It serves as a companion to anth101.com, a free and open resource for instructors of cultural anthropology.This 2018 text is a revision of the "first draft edition" from 2017 and includes 7 new chapters.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction

370 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2018

Reviews

[Julia Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for my anthropology class and I really enjoyed it!

[عباد ديرانية · Rating 5 out of 5]

يقول غلاف هذا الكتاب أنه "كتاب أكاديمي" (textbook) في علم الأنثروبولوجيا أو دراسة الإنسان، ولست متأكداً من ذلك لأني لم أرَ فيه أي نظريات أو تناولاً أكاديمياً، لكنه بالتأكيد من أمتع الكتب التي قرأتها في حياتي. يروي المؤلف تجربته في الأنثروبولوجيا منذ تخرّجه بالجامعة، وقد سافر بعدها إلى جزيرة نيوغينيا وهبطَ في مدينة ليست فيها كهرباء ولا طرقٌ معبّدة، وأول ما قابله خارج المطار هو فتيان ركضا نحوه وهما يحملان سكينة طولها نصف متر ويطلبان منه مالاً. يربطُ الكتاب بين دراسة علم الإنسان ومشكلات العالم الاقتصادية والاجتماعية بطريقة تغيّر نظرتك جذرياً إلى كلّ شيء تعرفه.

[Caroline O'Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This did not read like a textbook at all and it really slayed at changing my worldview. I get that that's a crazy little review, but that's what my thoughts are

[sirisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything!!!! social structures, our beliefs, how we evolved!!! there are literally no words I'm just in awe rn.(also i ran a mile barefoot after this and my mile time decreased by 30 sec wtf). we are more connected b we feel less connected than ever. the fish in water reference to culture. why a woman of west African descent is speaking French in a land not even close to Western Africa or France. the nacirema part took me embarrassingly long to realize. THE PART WJERE THE VILLAGE NEVER RETURNWD TO HOW IT WAS WHEN RHEY SAW HOW THEY LOOKED LIKE. the whole thing ab why we hate. the raramuri people. how we need to be fit to be useful. polarization ab political values bc social media. more biases bc! literally everything in this book.

[Sam f · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and important for everyone to learn about other cultures, life, morality, identity, how langauge works how to see big and small how to interpret and how to experience.

I may not have the power to change
the world, but I have all the power to change and be
responsible for myself and my own life.

Qoute from this book and I am a different person after this book. I may reread so I can understand it more and take notes !

[Anya Shvetsova · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to Cultural Anthropology, a guide to the history of humanity, where each chapter is supplied with tasks to reflect on the new angle you can see the world from.

The authors show how different we are and how little differences exist between us.

[Tai Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book interspersed with interesting challenges to consider about our life. Decently easy read as a great intro to my ANT100 course.

[Shoshana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is truly insightful, and although it didn't provide any new information, it was a very engaging piece.

[Kydawee · Rating 3 out of 5]

That shit is deep🤓

[Scott C · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a social studies teacher I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are aspects of anthropology, sociology, history, geography, and a multitude of other things. A student gave it to me at the end of 23-24 school year after taking AP World History. Throughout the course we talked about the idea of human rights, and ended with talking about Patrice Lumumba from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo had experienced some horrific things under King Leopold of Belgium and had continued to be exploited well after he was dead till Lumumba. Lumumba sought to improve his countries standing and situation, but the western powers had him killed. He could have been what Gandhi and MLK were, and changed things for many impoverished and exploited peoples.

This book attests to the idea of being a better human, because our minor changes can change the wider world. The power is often given, and we can also learn about people who face horrible plights rather than generalize them.

This book gives 10 suggestions on being human, and it is maybe one of the best books I’ve read. Maybe the student knew it would fit what I talk about in class, and openly believe. Maybe I have a bias with a former student giving me the book, but it reads very well from a philosophical level just as much as it does from a social science level.

Please give it a whirl, and know the book gets better as it goes.