There are only two things I want to know

[Bossy Monkey]

I'm not actually expecting anybody here to help with those two questions, even though you are about the most intelligent peoples I've ever encountered. I actually want to ask for help with questions about the questions. Did that make sense? Didn't think so.:) Regardless, kindly look upon the following two paragraphs as rhetorical questions (but if you want to take a bash at giving answers, please have at it) and look to the final two paragraphs as the ones where I'm actually seeking help.

Question one relates to the enemy within: is there an inherent us vs them dichotomy within the human mind, and does this make war and conflict inevitable? A young Norwegian woman I met on a train in Denmark 20-odd years ago said no, that she had no enemy inside her mind. If I am to believe her, she is either the exception that proves the rule or the exception that invalidates it. Then again, she was with an American who was trying to get me to join the Nichiren Buddhists, so maybe her testimony is a little tainted.

The other question regards the history of human migration. What really fascinates me are the periodic explosions of migration that have occurred over the millennia, most usually from east Asia, but also from central Asia and northern Europe ("Bloody Vikings!") One would assume that these were the results of agricultural surpluses suddenly vanishing, leading to famines and mass migrations. But I don't know and I'm not absolutely sure that anybody does.

So the question I'm seeking help with about these questions is straightforward: what the hell academic disciplines am I talking about? In the first case, there's international relations, psychology, and brain physiology just for a start while for the second there's history, archaeology, geography, maybe a bit of biology for DNA studies, a little comparative linguistics, and uh, probably more than I want to know about the history of agriculture. I know that undergrads can design their own majors and put together interdisciplinary studies degrees, but I already have two diplomas and would probably be in a Ph.D type situation.

Orrrrrrr does anybody have any suggestions for how to become a professional perpetual student? Hell, I'm 45 years old already; I'd rather be a professional researcher rather than try to get the degree then fit in research with teaching and other responsibilities. Also as my two research interests bridge a few dozen disciplines I'd be out of luck unless I just call it anthropology or sociology or hang it and teach high school social studies. Obviously my thoughts are in flux at this time, but any suggestions would be welcome, and you have my thanks in advance.

[Indi Guy]

1. My suggestion...

You need a long vacation at the beach.

[Bossy Monkey]

12. I've been on vacation for the last 20 years, but thanks for the reply

:hi:

[Jamastiene]

2. Congratulations.

You have just blown my mind. That's not easy to do. You should work for a police interrogation unit. Wow, I feel all water tortured or something now.

:wtf:

[Bossy Monkey]

13. Sorry. I actually spent an hour or so composing this, but obviously I should have spent longer

If you'll clarify what you're having problems with, I'll try to clarify what I'm talking about (or trying to:)).

[Jamastiene]

21. Huh?

Wow, what a mind fuck. No sex threads!!! :P

[supernova]

3. Get out of my head! This sounds like

something I would want to do, finding ways to bring seemingly disparate fields of study together for a greater purpose.

edit: Your post reminds of of a couple of things.

The Genographic Project at National Geographic. They are mapping human migration out of Africa across the globe using the genetic markers from DNA samples in populations that historically have lived in a particular area for literally eons. Those of us who have those markers belong to those "tribes," essentially.

I certainly think the us v them mentality is quite old and tribal, but is it genetic vs cultural? You could probably study that for a lifetime. :-)

edit 2: You're probably talking about human biology and genetics, cultural and physical anthropology, evolutionary biology, ... I'll probably think of more later. ..

edit 3: thought of more.. You're also talking about the influence of climate change (food shortages being a symptom) and how that affects our movements. That would be the history of climate change, you know, the people who take long, long, ice core samples and examine them, for instance.

[Bossy Monkey]

14. All those and more, I'm sure

Downthread somebody points out that there's no money in any of this, but what the hell, I just want to know. And hells, it's not like the world began yesterday; no doubt I'll find out that all this stuff has been answered by some of the writers mentioned also downthread. Thanks for the reply and the many helpful suggestions; gives me some places to start!

[Haole Girl]

4. Well..

Just to throw this in the pot... I've always said if there were only 2 human beings left on earth, one would inevitably kill the other. But, to try to give you advice about college, my suggestion would be to ask some professors or a college counselor. They should be able to help you best. Good luck! :hi:

edit: typo :eyes:

[Bossy Monkey]

15. I get on well with professors; the problem is which department to start in

Also the professor with whom I'm closest appears to be out of the country again. (But aren't they always?:))
Thanks!

[RainDog]

5. the second one

...is biological anthropology/paleontology. every discipline overlaps in lots of places, esp. when one way of looking at things becomes the theory du jour. Eco- for instance. You might be interested in the "Punctuated Equilibrium" idea in bio-anthro - people also work together across disciplines - each applies his/her area of expertise. Like.. logic (philosophy), cognitive studies (psy), computer science, and math.

the first one could be a variety of disciplines, depending on your approach to the issue. bio-anthro even has things to say about that one.

[Bossy Monkey]

16. Thanks, that helps a lot

I thought punctuated equilibria mostly applied to evolutionary theory (Gould, right?)

[MrScorpio]

6. So you're a big sociology nut

Follow your rainbow.

Humor me, what's your MBTI?

I've been on a Myers-Briggs bender lately

[Bossy Monkey]

17. I don't know from Myers-Briggs

I've been a brain bug all my life, but after removing gluten from my diet recently, I've found my personality has changed markedly. However, with 45 years of being a brain bug, I figure I'm still better suited to life in or near academia. But I might yet go off and sell used cars instead, ya never know.:)

[Orsino]

7. Yes, us v. them is inherent, I believe.

We evolved in tribal societies for perhaps a couple of hundred thousand years. William Allman makes a powerful case in his Stone Age Present for the evolution of the human mind as a way to keep track of our various interrelationships and of violations of social contracts. Neanderthal man died out in part, perhaps, because of inherent mental limitations, having evolved in social groups of under a dozen.

Modern humans tend to clump in groups of up to a hundred or so, and the people we know exert powerful influences on us. Our minds can reach beyond what we can grasp, and we seek relations with those who are like us, even when of different tribes. I don't think we're going to get away from us-versus-them anytime soon, but we sure as hell can try to rise above it. Civilization, language and technology give us some of the necessary tools, I think.

[MrScorpio]

8. Given the relative size of the naturally clumped group...

It goes to show how unnatural national identities are. They're main function being to help prevent two or more competing groups from seeking to annihilate each other. You can see so many group identity dynamics at work in things like sporting events.

I'm sure that if however, individuals interact without outward markers denoting a competing group, those individuals are more likely to be more cordial throughout the interaction.

So in a way, anarchists have a very important point to make.

[Orsino]

10. Heh.

"I'm sure that if however, individuals interact without outward markers denoting a competing group, those individuals are more likely to be more cordial throughout the interaction."

Yeah. That's Huckabee's Iowa hunting trip, right there. :rofl:

[Bossy Monkey]

18. Actually, the ones that make me think it's inherent are the ones that are totally irrational

like Ford vs Chevy or as MrScorpio says, sports teams. I think somebody was shot and killed here last autumn over an argument about the results of the South Carolina-Clemson game. I mean really--how crazy can you get?

[Orangepeel]

9. The first one is social psychology

Psychology academics apply theories of behavior, cognition and/or interpersonal relationships to answer questions about people. Social psychologists look at how people are influenced by and influence others. International relations is not an uncommon area of application for social psychology research, and brain physiology can be used in the field as both a theoretical explanation and measure. Just as a start, you might be interested in the writings of Henri Tajfel.

Social science academics are rarely limited to only one discipline, even though they will be housed in one. Most will have an area of expertise outside of their home discipline that informs and shapes the perspective from which they view research questions. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of call for social psychologists who only do research.

45 is pretty old to go back and get your doctorate. Not because you can't do it -- it's mostly because there is a whole lot of grunt work and shit that one has to take as professors try to think about things in a new way (some of it is justified, some is just abusive "I was treated this way" crap). It's easier for younger people to put up with it. And, if you wanted to go into academia, you'd be at least 50 when you finished and could potentially face age discrimination issues (especially in a field like psychology where there are relatively few job openings).

on edit: Oops! I re-read how this post ends and it sounds damned discouraging! I didn't mean for it to be. It just sounds to me like you would rather study for your own enjoyment than as a career. But, you should follow your bliss! :D

[Bossy Monkey]

19. Thanks! I will look up Mr. Tajfel

Don't worry about sounding discouraging; it doesn't seem like a prudent career move to me, either. On the other hand, maybe I can write a couple of books, self-publish them if necessary and get on with my life. The idea of teaching high school social studies for the rest of my working life is sounding less crazy all the time.

[XemaSab]

11. Archaology

n/t

[Bossy Monkey]

20. That's a GREAT idea since it's what I want to do anyway!

Kudos!:toast:

[hellbound-liberal]

22. Your second question reminded me of a very interesting book that I read a few years back

by Robert Ornstein and James Burke: The Axemaker's Gift. In this book, Ornstein and Burke trace the development of technology over the years and how this shapes teh way we view the world and how it has often proved to be a double edged sword. It is a very interesting perspective on human cultural and intellectual development. I highly recommend it!

http://www.amazon.com/Axemakers-Gift-Robert-Ornstein/dp/0874778565/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

[Bossy Monkey]

23. Fascinating; thanks for the recommendation! I'll try to track it down n/t