tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post464816423600474201..comments2023-06-28T05:16:54.842-04:00Comments on anthropologies: A San Diego Cultural NarrativeRyan Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008425994341539639noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post-85553235075557965252011-07-07T15:51:43.615-04:002011-07-07T15:51:43.615-04:00This sub-field of Cultural Anthro is called Cultur...This sub-field of Cultural Anthro is called Cultural Studies. How to use anthropological ideas toward the goal of capitalism. Cultural studies can be found at Wikipedia. I am dismayed at how few tourist hot-spots we have here in San Diego. Just enough to keep families happy for a few days or a week. If it wasn't for the weather, the world famous Zoo, Scripps Aquarium, and Animal Park, who would come? Except for a few buildings like a haunted house and schoolroom, most of the historical buildings in Presido Park have been removed and paved over. There is only one small graveyard at the park because the rest have been destroyed by the powers that be and will not be excavated in the future. There is only one small spot that SDSU archaeological students can work at because the city doesn't allow research permits anywhere else.The mighty dollar has put shops and restaurants over the bones and lives of the people who don't deserve it. To the tourist who couldn't care less, it's great. For those who want a true cultural experience along with programs and cultural centers, one has to go way outside of the city of San Diego to find that and that's what we have learned to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post-57865980879784978982011-04-22T09:15:49.338-04:002011-04-22T09:15:49.338-04:00Stephen! Thanks for commenting on here!
"So...Stephen! Thanks for commenting on here!<br /><br />"Something I'd love to see is a comparison between the tourists to Old Town and those at a Pre-Colombian Maya site, and find the tourists' view of which one is more "pure" or in its historical place and which they feel is freer from etic interpretation, and why."<br /><br />Ya, that would be interesting. I would like to see the responses from international tourists AND local tourists about Old Town specifically, to see who thinks the place is 'authentic' etc. And then do the same with a place like Chichen, again asking international tourists and domestic tourists. Since all of these sites are constructed, it would definitely be interesting to see who is more or less likely to "buy" it, so to speak (or at least be content with the presentation).Ryan Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18008425994341539639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post-75733693769312477562011-04-19T22:11:08.764-04:002011-04-19T22:11:08.764-04:00Thanks Becky and Lanthir for the feedback. I great...Thanks Becky and Lanthir for the feedback. I greatly appreciate it! <br /><br />And Stephen - I agree with you that locals tend to say the site is cheesy, but that does not stop them from visiting it haha. They use it for happy hour margaritas (among other things) and summer nights listening to jazz music rather than continually assessing OT's historical significance. It is also unfortunate that locals want "their" Old Town to be generally free from tourists. Many San Diegans believe Old Town is their special place and don't like that boisterous tourists swarm through all of the buildings. And more importantly, you bring up a great point about perceived authenticity at historic locations. What is pure? What is authentic? What is real? Who really knows.Conorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14699273582346586896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post-13737759268729626892011-04-18T13:28:54.510-04:002011-04-18T13:28:54.510-04:00I've been pretty fascinated with Old Town sinc...I've been pretty fascinated with Old Town since I moved to San Diego. I love your observations. Like you said, people want to be transported to the unspoiled historical landscape. I've heard a lot of locals, who are more informed of the history than the average tourist, saying the site is cheesy. Which I think is because it has to represent so many time/cultural transitions in a small area, which makes it seem like the park is exploiting the "old" instead of being specifically historical.<br /><br />Something I'd love to see is a comparison between the tourists to Old Town and those at a Pre-Colombian Maya site, and find the tourists' view of which one is more "pure" or in its historical place and which they feel is freer from etic interpretation, and why.Stephen Rochesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post-14397535533900554662011-04-16T19:52:18.120-04:002011-04-16T19:52:18.120-04:00Neat! I work at a living history museum myself (t...Neat! I work at a living history museum myself (the Frontier Culture Museum, in Staunton, Virginia). I often think about the museum in anthropological terms, but typically only regarding our subject material (history, syncretism and cultural continuity in the valley area, historical archaeology, etc.). <br /><br />Considering the tourists as a subject of anthropological study themselves is a fascinating new perspective! Thanks for opening up a whole new viewpoint!Lanthir Calendaehttp://lanthir.etsy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5813702045456690661.post-70415976935800732992011-04-16T13:18:09.059-04:002011-04-16T13:18:09.059-04:00Wow, that was awesome Conor. I have never been to...Wow, that was awesome Conor. I have never been to Old Town...you put me in the picture, I was imagining and wondering. On our next visit I would like to visit Old Town. That was wonderful. You should write books, you are and excellent writer!!Hugs Aunt Becky and boys.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14034475352800365906noreply@blogger.com