On ethnography, hallucinogens, improvised knife, etc.

[migueldiaz]

Here's a very interesting short video on the big picture of ethnography and endangered cultures: NatGeo's Explorer-in-Residence on endangered cultures

The trivia and photos along the way are quite engaging. And towards the end of the talk, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how an Inuit made an improvised blade like no other!

[David]

Thanks Miguel, very nice presentation. Wade Davis is, of course, the man who wrote The Serpent and the Rainbow, which unfortunately was made into a rather sensational and stupid movie. I had the pleasure of seeing him talk at the Museum of Nature History back in the 1990s.

[Rick]

Thank you Miguel, that was delightful .

Have you ever read any of Castenada's books ?

Rick

[fearn]

That was great, Miguel, and that's a knife none of us will ever collect

Personally, I prefer Wade Davis to Castaneda. I sold all my Castaneda books years ago, but I still have an old copy of Serpent and the Rainbow kicking around.

Best,

F

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by David

Thanks Miguel, very nice presentation. Wade Davis is, of course, the man who wrote The Serpent and the Rainbow, which unfortunately was made into a rather sensational and stupid movie. I had the pleasure of seeing him talk at the Museum of Nature History back in the 1990s.

Thanks too, David. I didn't know about Wade Davis until I saw that video. He's an authority all right on the subject

Originally Posted by Rick

Thank you Miguel, that was delightful. Have you ever read any of Castenada's books?

Hello Rick. Am not really familiar with ethnobotany, and with the writers on the subject. My cup of tea is more about mayhem and destruction But since you mentioned Castaneda, I'll find out more about the guy. Thanks!

Originally Posted by fearn

That was great, Miguel, and that's a knife none of us will ever collect Personally, I prefer Wade Davis to Castaneda. I sold all my Castaneda books years ago, but I still have an old copy of Serpent and the Rainbow kicking around.

Fearn, amen on your view about that DIY [do-it-yourself] 'knife' And given the many mentions here about the 'Serpent' book, I think I should really get a copy for myself

[fearn]

Miguel,

I'd also recommend Davis' One River. Although it's mostly about ethnobotany (as is Serpent and the Rainbow), there are some weapons related things in there as well. Curare, for instance (in One River), or zombie making (in Serpent and the Rainbow).

As for Carlos Castaneda, if you haven't read any of his books, I'd suggest checking out the Wikipedia articles first, just so you know what you're getting into.

Best,

F

[David]

Originally Posted by fearn

Personally, I prefer Wade Davis to Castaneda. I sold all my Castaneda books years ago, but I still have an old copy of Serpent and the Rainbow kicking around.

I find them both interesing, but for me the biggest difference is that Castaneda is fiction, albeit informed (and informative) fiction.

[Andrew]

"Fiction"?!?

Blasphemy.