Anthropology is the study of all humans in all times in all places. But it is so much more than that. “Anthropology requires strength, valor, and courage,” Nancy Scheper-Hughes noted. “Pierre Bourdieu called anthropology a combat sport, an extreme sport as well as a tough and rigorous discipline. … It teaches students not to be afraid of getting one’s hands dirty, to get down in the dirt, and to commit yourself, body and mind. Susan Sontag called anthropology a “heroic” profession.” What is the payoff for this heroic journey? You will find ideas that can carry you across rivers of doubt and over mountains of fear to find the the light and life of places forgotten. Real anthropology cannot be contained in a book. You have to go out and feel the world’s jagged edges, wipe its dust from your brow, and at times, leave your blood in its soil. In this unique book, Dr. Michael Wesch shares many of his own adventures of being an anthropologist and what the science of human beings can tell us about the art of being human.
Anthropolojia ni utafiti wa wanadamu wote katika nyakati zote katika maeneo yote. Lakini ni mengi zaidi ya hayo. "Anthropolojia inahitaji nguvu, ujasiri, na ujasiri", Nancy Scheper-Hughes alibainisha. <unk> Pierre Bourdieu aliita anthropolojia mchezo wa mapigano, mchezo mkali na pia nidhamu ngumu na kali. ... Inawafundisha wanafunzi kutoogopa kuchafua mikono yao, kushuka katika uchafu, na kujitolea, mwili na akili. Susan Sontag aliita anthropolojia "kazi ya ushujaa". Ni nini thawabu ya safari hii ya ushujaa? Utapata mawazo ambayo yanaweza kukupeleka kuvuka mito ya mashaka na milima ya hofu ili kupata mwanga na maisha ya mahali ulivyoisahau. Wanadamu halisi hawawezi kuandikwa katika kitabu. Lazima utoke nje na kuhisi kingo za ulimwengu, kufuta vumbi lake kutoka kwenye paji la uso wako, na wakati mwingine, acha damu yako katika udongo wake. Katika kitabu hiki cha kipekee, Dk Michael Weiss anashiriki mengi ya adventures yake mwenyewe ya kuwa anthropologist na nini sayansi ya binadamu inaweza kutuambia kuhusu sanaa ya kuwa binadamu.