D is for Davis http://fora.tv/2010/01/13/Wade_Davis_Why_Ancient_Wisdom_Matters_in_the_Modern_World
Edmund Wade Davis (born December 14, 1953) is a noted Canadian anthropologist, ethnobotanist, author and photographer whose work has focused on worldwide indigenous cultures...Davis has published popular articles in Outside, National Geographic, Fortune and Conde Nast Traveler
This ForaTV program title caught my attention on a busy day. It runs a little more than an hour, so I watched in dribbles, although it was difficult to tear myself away. Very soon, I'll go back and watch the video in one piece. Davis has captured the mystery, magic and cultural wonder which eludes those who are unable to witness this other than vicariously.
And, last week's news brought the obit of the last speaker of an ancient tribal language who died in the Andaman Islands thereby breaking a 65,000-year link to one of the world's oldest cultures.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/04/ancient-language-extinct-speaker-dies
If you watch the video, in whole or part, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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24 comments:
Sorry never heard of him. Glad you could join in on ABC Wed.
So you also have, unfortunately, DEAD LANGUAGE. That's rather sad.
On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you!
Far too many languages are dying. A great tragedy.
Never hear of him, but interesting post for D:-)
Have a nice evening!
Yes, I agree with the others, far too many languages are dying and it is a tragedy. Very thoughtful post for the day!
Sylvia
Fascinating! I've only listened to a little so far but will definitely listen to the rest. He's a wonderful speaker, articulate, amusing and, like all real experts, able to present his points comprehensibly. Thank you for bringing him to my/our attention. My youngest daughter's first degree was in Anthropology and I know she'd be interested so I'll send her the URL.
As a Canadian, I've never heard of this man, but will check him out. Thanks for the info. :D
Interesting post. I will have to come back and listen to him. the subject sounds fascinating.
OK - well I didn't think it was so much about language... what I got was about culture. I particularly liked the part where he said we should not look at other cultures as 'failed' compared to us, and that they have there own expertise(s) in thinks that are valued by their culture. Enjoyed...
You are a great teacher too! I always learn something from you and from Reader Wil! You never disappoint in my weekly lessons : )
I too have only listened to a small bit, but enough to make me want to go back and hear all that Davis has to say. Fascinating pictures and subject, - how sad to lose these cultures and this diversity. We will all be so bland when we are all alike (sigh)
I will try to go back and watch it (gosh I hope I can remember!). Just say the word, ethnobotonist' and I am THERE. I find that area to be so fascinating.
that's a very thoughtful post. i like people who look after their past.
my entry is here http://kcelebration.blogspot.com/2010/02/d-is-for-dance-drawing.html
Thank you for this interesting post. It has a link with what I wrote about the Aborigines in Australia and their tribal Languages. The Milbi Wall was created by the inhabitants of Cooktown among whom many of the Guugu Yimithirr tribe. This language is also dying. Some of the people, including Roy McIver and my daughter's ex- mother-in-law( Roy's sister), still speak Guugu Yimithirr.
I can't watch the video right now, but I think I will later, it sounds interesting.
I hope that people thought to save the knowledge, stories and songs that Boa Sr had and that they didn't die with her.
We have a great deal to learn about other cultures.
A very thought provoking post, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
This kind of thing interest me very much, so I'll probably have a look at it.
PS I read about the loss of yet another language. I share your views.
We live in a fascinating world with such diversity, we can indeed learn a lot from cultures who live in harmony with their environment.
Love the fish eye lens on the sky video which makes you feel as though the whole universe is our world.
Thought provoking post.
I have looked at part of the programme; I will certainly find some time to listen to Wade- an interesting and easy to listen to speaker with pertinent information. Thanks for sharing.
There is an Irish proverb, "A country without a language is a country without a soul". I have some reservations because of the amounts of money spent on preservation, but possibly also from being forced to take exams in Irish purely because I'd been born there.
Thanks for sharing this! We have so much to learn from others.
So very interesting! Makes one wonder how many languages will die out in the next 1,000 years.
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