Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Mill Valley on March 9, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Berkeley on March 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »
3/10: The buffet bar fascinates — having seen it on prior occasions, but not daring to dash the order for fear of conspicuous grazing.
But, there you have it. On this day, reaching over the pasta bowl amidst the other buffet prepared salads, Adam French discussed the merits of writing on a daily basis.
It is a practice that each of us can benefit from, one and all.
Svenn Jensen pointed out the duration for accomplishment, the length required to publish real work in contrast to the postdoctoral process itself, which was something we all agreed with, that by the time you get comfortable in a place, it is time to move on.
Yes sir! It was another Ciriacy-Wantrup Luncheon, this time in the heart of the Women’s Faculty Club, and the three of us, Svenn, Adam and myself ordered from the buffet table, while Raphael Calel and Louisa Lombard chose directly from the menu. Svenn commented that nearly everything was perfect, with exception of the jello, which he felt was more savory than sweet. We decided to divvy up his portion, to give his tastebuds a rest, while not let go anything to waste.
Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Suisun on March 3, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Houston on February 25, 2014| Leave a Comment »
2/26: Visiting Rice University in Houston, now sitting in the quadrangle cafe, situated smack-dab in the middle of campus – and near points of interest, between Baker Institute and Department of Anthropology.
With floor-to-ceiling windows, the cafe is a latte drinker’s goldfish bowl.
Checking the internet while capturing glimpses of long distance perspectives across campus. There is something to say, also, about the sprawling oak trees at the university (4000 by one estimate?).
Within the Engineering Quad, there is a trinity of sculptures by Michael Heizer, collectively titled 45 Degrees, 90 Degrees, 180 Degrees.
Well, no say!
Michael Heizer sculptures at Rice, more recently of Levitated Mass, Los Angeles fame, where we entertained separate visitation not so long ago at the County Museum.
2/25: A trip to Houston’s Rice University with Dominic Boyer and friends, visiting CENHS (Center for Energy and Environmental Research in the Humanities).
Did I mention the wonderful discussion we had yesterday, with Heather Stern, talking shop about the next solicitation soon to be announced through Belmont Forum G8 Multinational Program, a follow up grant to the National Science Foundation, ArcSEES (Arctic Science, Engineering and Sustainability for Education)? As a team, we are gearing up for the proposal due this July.
Well, no matter.
Just to say, I ennobled myself to a deep sigh of relief during our chat, going so far as to announce, “I got all that I wanted off my chest” – to which Heather responded “like a therapy session”, causing us to share a collective titter.
Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Oakland on January 23, 2014| Leave a Comment »
1/24: This past week, Hannah Appel and I have been meeting daily to rework the introduction to Subterranean Estates: Lifeworlds of Oil and Gas, coming out soon on Cornell U Press (“the Oil Talk book“).
What a great experience — so revitalizing to work collaboratively!
Brilliant and perhaps the most gifted social science writer that I know personally, up to date, relevant, efficient, fast, resolutely indefatigable — Hannah mowed through my half-baked suggestions, writing on to the screen that evokes an anthropology of magic, religion, and ritual.
Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Tennessee Valley on January 16, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Paparazzi Ethnography, tagged Berkeley, San Francisco on December 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »
12/13: The time was 4AM when I left the hotel, hopping a taxi out of Helsinki for the airport, catching the 6:30 flight to Frankfurt, then the long haul to SFO International.
I dreamt enroute that the KLM flight required a promotional fly-by to provide passengers with a quick glance of off-shore oil platform laborers.
The images that flashed across my retina were of Paul Bunyan sized figures, waving toward the aircraft, leaning off the platform with one hand holding the side of the rig.
Of course, this was likely conjured from the purpose of my flight itself, purchased specifically so that I would arrive back in time to attend the editorial meeting of a nearly completed book with nineteen authors reflecting on oil and gas industry, with fellow co-editors Hannah Appel and Michael Watts titled:
The book will be published on Cornell University Press in 2014.
Our meeting took place at Michael’s home in San Francisco, where we covered a variety of topics in lively debate. Michael brought out his photography book collection on oil and gas images, and we had a chance to discuss how we plan to address the rich imagery invoked by the industry.
The above image is of Hannah Appel looking through the photographic images. Below, I have reposted the top image from a different angle, in order to provide a sense of the collective nature of our productive discussion. We gathered in Michael’s kitchen, in San Francisco, and talked for about 2 hours, over tea and biscuits.
Paparazzi Ethnography 