I've posted the top 20 photos from my May 2008 China trip on Flickr:
Also, more good news. I'll be displaying some photos at the local "Whidbey's Cafe" in Mukilteo, WA in January. Hopefully more showings to come!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Book Report: Light at the Edge of the World
Hey all-
Just finished an interesting book called "Light at the Edge of the World", by anthropologist and ethnobotanist Wade Davis. After attending a Seattle lecture by Mr. Davis, as a part of the National Geographic Society's "Live!" series, I had a chance to speak with him briefly and pick up a copy of his book.
Davis makes a compelling argument that cultural diversity is not only being diminished, but it is just as important to preserve for the human race as biological or ecological diversity. Through careful storytelling of his experiences as an observing anthropologist, he shows exactly how important a culture is: another culture is not simply an interesting list of different faces, clothing, and traditions, but it's another reality; another ingrained way of thinking about our world and set of possibilities for our future. When a culture dies, it's not just a sad inevitability of modernization... it's a tragic, forced-upon, avoidable loss of another way of thought and life. And to put in measurable terms, he uses the number of languages worldwide reaching extinction, as a scientific method of illustrating a culture disappearing.
Davis gives several examples of indigenous societies that modern people might call "backwards", of how through their unique language, tradition, and application of human potential, they've achieved far superior and useful knowledge of their environment, both physically and spiritually. But because of their indigenous status, they are too often looked down upon, and forced to change past the breaking point that their culture can absorb. Davis provides examples where even with good intentions, modern countries have forced entire populations into destitute poverty and unique emptiness that occurs when generations of inherited way of life are wiped out.
I highly recommend the book on many levels. First, many of the stories will simply amaze you at how interesting, richly complex, and accomplished many "simple" cultures actually are. Second, it makes you ponder the causes and consequences of these cultures being lost. The book culminates in the final chapters, giving new light as to why something like Tibet's invasion is tragic for the entire human race, but also providing hope for the future, in how we deal with threatened cultures to come.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My first post!
It took me a few years, but... I'm finally getting around to starting a blog. A place to keep all my crazy travel adventures, inspirations, and other experiences. But before I dive right in... first things first!
Eventually, this blog will be linked back & forth with my official photography website:
Although my website generally has my "best of" collection, another great place to see photos is my Flickr account, where I place expanded travel photo collections. Check it out here:
Enjoy!
J
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