Alma College

“Culture enables humans to survive.”

Posted on Leave a Comment

This was said during my Introduction to Anthropology class earlier today. Usually, I don’t find much challenging from that class, a lot of the things seem to be common sense, or I already had encountered the material with my mom (she’s an anthropologist) at some point in my life. But today, during discussion about the cultural dimension of the study of anthropology, we were given the statement, “culture enables humans to survive.” 

Being more interested in the cultural quarter of anthropological studies (rather than the biological, archeological, or linguistic parts), I caught this comment and pondered it during the remainder of the class.

At first glance, this statement seems to be untrue. Why do we need culture to survive? Why do I need art, music and literature to have a decent life? Long before these social inventions, people seemed to get along just fine. Traditions are nice in all, but are they really absolutely necessary?

Well, in the deeper sense of anthropology, culture is more than just art, music and literature. It is what we do every day, how we do it, and most importantly, why we do it. Culture explains why we have three meals a day and what time they are (compared to others), why we dress in a certain way, why we practice certain beliefs and traditions, etc.Without the culture that contributes to our daily lives, we would not be able to effectively live.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Posted on Leave a Comment

-Margaret Mead

I saw this quote at the Field Museum in Chicago during Thanksgiving break.

It is quite inspiring for small groups and lone voices, which many times is the only thing that changes world issues. Only after the lone voice, or small group of voices can get inspire a movement, causing change in the world.

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

Posted on Leave a Comment

– Thomas Jefferson.

This quote was part of a documentary movie at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC, which I visited during fall break.

I don’t know exactly what it was about this quote that was so inspiring and powerful when I first heard it. It seems something so simple, especially with all of the “inspirational” quotes and self help books/websites/information available today.

I think the best thing about this quote is that it is something simple, but yet profoundly eloquently written. Not to mention, I also find it inspiring that our forefathers had such a great faith in their future and the future of the country.

Madeleine Albright

Posted on Leave a Comment

The former first female Secretary of State Madeleine Albright graced Alma College with her presence today, and how graceful it was. Despite that I have seen Albright talk before (at a Border’s bookstore in Birmingham, MI about three years ago), I never really knew much about the Madam Secretary, but was quickly very impressed with her.

Even though I was semi interested in her ideas about current politics and previous job experience within the federal government under the Clinton Administration, I was more impressed, interested and flat out excited that she was coming to Alma – little, old, quiet Alma. Yeah, I know Senators Dole and McGovern spoke at last year’s innaugural session of the Dr. Robert Swanson Responsible Leadership Speaker Series, I was in Spain and missed the event. To see influential people like Albright, Dole and McGovern spending time with Alma students is great. These are the kind of things that make a small liberal arts school the best college experience.

Oh, and she’s voting for Hillary.