Comments

1
I remember reading Chagnon's famous book (Yanomamo: The Fierce People) in an undergrad anthropology class. Even though my bullshit detector was a lot less finely calibrated back then, I remember thinking, "Wow, this guy really thinks he's the shit" and "Hey, I didn't think anthropologists were allowed to be racist."
2
100 points for mentioning his name in The Slog. His work on Hawaii is fantastic.
3
Controversial soft science, eh?
4
If even half the accusations against Chagnon are true, he should be in prison.
5
Anthropology isn't a science, and is useless when it pretends to be.
6
U of Chicago? Very cool!
7
Marshall Sahlins still rocks. He bummed a cigarette from me years ago when he came to give a talk at Reed. In return, he gave me a quote to use in my thesis. Swell guy.
8
Survival International has compiled a list of materials from experts, anthropologists and the Yanomami themselves on the Chagnon debate, and how Chagnon's work has been disastrous for the tribe.

Visit Survival's website http://www.survivalinternational.org//ar… for statements from Davi Yanomami, Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, Philippe Descola and Manuela Carneiro da Cunha, and an open letter signed by over a dozen anthropologists who have worked for years with the Yanomami. They 'disagree with Napoleon Chagnon's public characterisation of the Yanomami as a fierce, violent and archaic people. [and] deplore how Chagnon's work has been used throughout the years - and could still be used - by governments to deny the Yanomami their land and cultural rights.'
9
Anthropology is as much a science as, say, epidemiology. Only prissy, sanctimonious, fops who never get out in the sun unless wearing a tin foil hat to protect them from the socialist conspiracy think anthropology isn't a science.

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