The Think Room
Archive for brand anthropology
Field Notes on American Life: Rites Gone Wrong
By Kate Barrett, Thursday, June 23 2011 in Field Notes on American Life
It’s June, so that means one thing in my neighborhood: graduation season, the time to celebrate the transition from child to adult, from dependence to independence. Comments
Field Notes on American Life: Beyond Words
By Kate Barrett, Friday, June 10 2011 in Field Notes on American Life
As a writer (and I use that term loosely), I occasionally find myself obsessed with crafting the perfect narrative. Worrying about every word. Debating the structure of a specific sentence. Comments
Field Notes On American Life: Treasure Troves
By Kate Barrett, Monday, December 13 2010 in Field Notes on American Life
This past weekend, I braved the piles of boxes in my basement to find the two that hold all of our holiday kitsch. As I navigated through the 40 or so others, I kept asking, “Why are these here? What could possibly be in them that I deemed worth saving?” Comments
Field Notes On American Life: Music, Sweet Music
By Kate Barrett, Tuesday, November 2 2010 in Field Notes on American Life
I love music. Perhaps not in the same way that many OLSONites do, but still, I love it. Music is the “hook” for remembering important (and not so important) events, providing a soundtrack to our life stories. Comments
Field Notes on American Life: Give Me Some Sugar!
By Kate Barrett, Friday, October 29 2010 in Field Notes on American Life
Halloween is one of my favorite rites of reversal. For one night, the norms and expectations of American culture get turned upside down. Kids rule, but as ghoulish spirits with incessant demands. Comments
Field Notes on American Life: Making Stuff
By Kate Barrett, Thursday, October 21 2010 in Field Notes on American Life
Material culture, i.e., the stuff of our lives, is one of the more fascinating subjects within anthropology. Comments
