Anthropology

A serious question. For plants that have become edible over time through cultivation (like the potato), and plants that have parts that are poisonous connected to the non-poisonous parts (like rhubarb), how did our ancestors figure out that things like potatoes and rhubarb were edible, or would eventually be edible? It couldn't be simply trial and error (seriously, how many people would seriously knowingly subject themselves to eating something that just killed someone else?). Could a food scientist or anthropologist shed some light on this?

2006-09-14 04:11:19 · 21 answers · asked by ConcernedModeller 1

Ever had a violation notice e-mail? I've had lots and yeah, sometimes I know I've overstepped the mark a little, but nothing I could be sent to jail for. what really bugs me is they don't tell you WHO reported the violation and the "reason" (usually - "insulting to other users") very often makes no sense - the one I got this morning said "not a question or answer" - I'm still trying to figure out which word was most offensive - "Condom" or "Tofu" (for those who don't know, tofu is a soya-bean food product - you'll find it in oriental reasaurants, not the Kama Sutra.)

I love taking the mickey out of "groups" based on race religion gender etc - even blonde girls can find a "Blonde Joke" funny, provided there is no "hate" implied in the way you tell it.

So here's your chance people to take liberties with my personal demographics:
Male, White, Middle-aged, balding, atheist - do your worst, I promise I won't report you (and if you're funny there's 10 points up for grabs.

have fun

2006-09-13 23:11:28 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am a graduate student/professor of Anthropology and I have assigned my 101 students Hallowell's "The Ojibwa of Berens River." (No groans from those who know it -- it's a classic!) I am looking for an ethnographic film on the Ojibwa and I don't think there is one but if anyone knows of one can you please give me the details? My students would really appreciate it!

2006-09-13 13:37:26 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

For my anthropology folklore class, we are 'collecting folklore'. I decided to work under the umbrella of disability. Does anybody know any joke, narrative, riddle, etc. involving 'disabled people'-- (it doesn't have to be politically correct). This includes any "folk speech, riddle, superstition, folk metaphor, gesture, charms, proverb, naming, curses, toasts, slurs, folk narrative, etc." Also, where and in what context did you hear this/ when did you learn this? Thanks in advance!!!

2006-09-13 12:02:50 · 3 answers · asked by daisee212 3

2006-09-13 11:21:17 · 4 answers · asked by Nature Boy Ash 1

2006-09-13 10:33:40 · 5 answers · asked by mario a 1

So we all have visions of moving in with a partner and the sex will be great. Freedom to do it as often as you like, up against the fridge over the cooker on top of the hall table it will be like a bunnys play ground for ever more. But whats the truth.

People who have been in a relationship for at least two years and live with their partner, how often do you get down????

2006-09-13 08:14:01 · 21 answers · asked by joe r 2

And what about this big bang theory? Shoot, my last big bang was this past summer whoa! lol my theory? Yeah I felt the earth move and saw stars all right! LOL

2006-09-13 06:49:13 · 25 answers · asked by empireofz 1

2006-09-13 05:16:01 · 5 answers · asked by Jacqueline P 1

Its a fact that a dolphins fin has the same number and structure of bones in it as the human arm.
The human brain works best on a high fish diet.
Dolphins have been proven to be very intelligent, have their own complex language and get on well with humans.
based on the belief that some scientists have, that we evolved from apes, spent a period in the water (perhaps closely related to dolphins) and came back to land as homo sapiens, my theory is that in fact dolphins have evolved from humans, ie, we are their missing link, and the chain would go apes-humans-dolphins. Does anyone agree?

2006-09-13 00:55:29 · 19 answers · asked by Catwhiskers 5

Attributes and explanations please. Thanks.

2006-09-12 23:31:29 · 31 answers · asked by solo 5

Imagine you're an artist and you've done your best work. What would you do after? You still have all that creativity but you can't touch the place you've already created. What is your duty now?

2006-09-12 23:18:40 · 26 answers · asked by solo 5

2006-09-12 20:47:30 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

Like drink in certain bars or clubs, but what else?

2006-09-12 20:20:07 · 36 answers · asked by joe r 2

2006-09-12 17:59:44 · 14 answers · asked by BluesGuitarFan 2

2006-09-12 16:43:46 · 34 answers · asked by Spann M 2

2006-09-12 14:20:18 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

what are the chances that a new, highly advanced species will rise, evolve, populate and pick up where we left off?

2006-09-12 13:53:34 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

pictures would be nice

2006-09-12 12:38:25 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

Spook me up amigos! I would like details! :-)

2006-09-12 12:36:42 · 14 answers · asked by Irouli 2

According to my geography books, the ethnic and cultural groups in the Middle East include (but are not limited to) Africans, Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Azeris, Berbers, Chaldeans, Druze, Greeks, Jews, Kurds, Lazi, Maronites, Ossetians, Qawliya, Persians, Sindhis, Turks, Ubykh, Zazas, etc.

2006-09-12 12:15:03 · 20 answers · asked by Asphycsia 3

i sleep naked under a sheet with 5 pillows and with the fan on low a with my blinds open and sometimes with my radio on. o yeah its great.

2006-09-12 09:47:34 · 26 answers · asked by Swift Angel 2

2006-09-12 06:36:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Some time ago I was told that National Geographic was running a human gemone program where they would send you a kit, you'd send back a sample and they'd be able to tell you where your forefathers came from. I have tried finding it on the net but all I seem to be able to find are published studies and results. Can anyone help?

2006-09-12 05:34:46 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-09-12 04:37:11 · 9 answers · asked by hairyhaggis_uk 2

2006-09-12 02:18:24 · 4 answers · asked by naome2009 3

when we were young, in kindergarten, we were taught that 'morning' is when the sun is up before noon... and afternoon is literally after noon time, 'evening and night' is when the moon is up....

2006-09-12 00:19:59 · 11 answers · asked by johnnyboy 2

please...do you know what ethnolinguistic is...?my fat teacher will be eating me tommorow if I can't find the means and phrase...god...help...me...

2006-09-11 23:36:37 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-09-11 22:43:28 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

or you can invent your own theory.

2006-09-11 22:42:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous