Cannibalism

[concorde]

Wow, my former anthropology professor is at the center of a History Channel special on cannibalism that's airing right now. I remember her talking about her travels, but I didn't realize it was so important -- she has had contact with some of the last peoples on earth to practice ritual cannibalism

Comments

[4bdnsn0wflake]

The thing that always gets me is how our culture always assumes that we're the ones who are "right" and "moral", and that we have a right to "civilize" these other people.

It may not happen as often nowadays, but that's probably because there are so few of these "primitive" cultures left.

To me, a vegetarian, eating human flesh is not too big a step away from eating animal flesh.

So how ppl can think cannibalism is so horrible and then go chomping down on Big Macs smacks to me of hypocrisy.

At least in the culture you mentioned they are doing the practice as an honoring ritual, not just because they can and it's convenient.

Buh. I'm in a soapbox-y mood tonight. If ppl like me piss you off, just ignore my rant.

[concorde]

In fact, I believe we still do it. Look at our quest to spread democracy to the Islamic heathens, whether they like it or not. Americans believe absolutely in righteousness of their own moral hubris, and it's wrecking our standing abroad.

Meat as murder -- well, everyone's got an opinion on that, y'know? It's just... the fascinating thing is what they consider meat. I look at something like that and just boggle at how so much of what we take for granted as "reality" is entirely of our own cultural construction.

And I never mind open opinions! Say what you think!

[4bdnsn0wflake]

I never mind open opinions! Say what you think!

^ I appreciate it.

I'm so used to ppl getting out the pitchforks and torches when I say I'm a vegetarian, so I often expect a negative reaction.

I agree with you about the "spreading of democracy" thing, though I will go so far as to say that's a ruse, at least on our government's part.

The only reason we're over there is because of how we can profit off it. Screw the ppl and how it's affecting them (in our own country as well as foreign lands).

I look at something like that and just boggle at how so much of what we take for granted as "reality" is entirely of our own cultural construction.

^ So true, so true.

Have you ever read any Daniel Quinn?

[concorde]

Pitchforks for being a vegetarian? I thought everyone was past that by now. Goodness. It's none of their business.

Daniel Quinn? No, I'm not familiar with that author. What has he written?