Even TV cameras can't excite geologists
A republication of James Clarke's 2008 article from 'Stoep Talk' about a an aborted Survivor-type reality show featuring geologists.
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Kirsten Bell
anthropologist, not the actress.
Kirsten Bell
- Sep 25
- 11 min
The baggage we carry
An analysis of the etiquette of air travel focusing on both human cooperation and the standards and infrastructures that undermine it.
Kirsten Bell
- Sep 18
- 3 min
Wired Autocomplete Interview
An interview inspired by Google autocomplete suggestions for 'Kirsten Bell' based on people who have misspelt the name of the actress.
Kirsten Bell
- Sep 11
- 5 min
How do I love thee? A letter to Google
A satiric overview of Google's most annoying qualities.
Kirsten Bell
- Sep 4
- 9 min
Til death do us fart: Farting and social relationships
Anthropological reflections on the relationship between farting and intimacy and farting as a map of social relationships.
Kirsten Bell
- Aug 28
- 9 min
Polite Canadians: digging into the stereotype
An anthropological analysis of the stereotype of the polite Canadian that explores the origins of the stereotype.
Kirsten Bell
- Aug 21
- 3 min
Imitation really IS the sincerest form of flattery: A letter to Gillian Tett
A letter to Gillian Tett on her FT piece on washing machines in kitchens, which shares many similarities with my own article on this topic.
Kirsten Bell
- Aug 14
- 9 min
I'm friendly, you're polite: Cultural differences in conceptions of politeness
An anthropological discussion of politeness, focusing on the concepts of negative and positive politeness.
Kirsten Bell
- Aug 7
- 7 min
Stories from the video store trenches: Part II
Child's Play - an account of the dynamics of children's video rentals, focusing on beleaguered mothers, tyrannical toddlers and Disney's unc
Kirsten Bell
- Jul 31
- 8 min
Stories from the video store trenches: Part I
Nightmare on Porn Street - an anthropological account of the social dynamics of porn purchasing, back in the days when it was done in person
Kirsten Bell
- Jul 24
- 8 min
A meditation on eyebrows
Anthropological reflections on the cultural and evolutionary significance of eyebrows.
Kirsten Bell
- Jul 17
- 9 min
Cultural differences in complaining: 'moaning' vs 'whingeing'
An anthropological analysis of the difference between English and Australian attitudes towards complaining.
Kirsten Bell
- Jul 10
- 9 min
Anthropological tips on how to become a thought leader on LinkedIn
An anthropologist who has recently joined the platform provides tips on how to master LinkedIn.
Kirsten Bell
- Jul 3
- 7 min
Barbie and me: A love story
In light of the forthcoming film, a defence of Barbie from an anthropologist who used to love her.
Kirsten Bell
- Jun 26
- 5 min
What I actually said about Apple product launches
The time my light-hearted comments about the religious dimensions of Apple were taken as a serious scholarly assessment.
Kirsten Bell
- Jun 19
- 8 min
'Alright' in Blighty: Culturally revealing greetings
An anthropological analysis of greetings, focusing on the English expression 'alright'.
Kirsten Bell
- Jun 5
- 7 min
Four reasons why I probably should not have named my book 'Silent but Deadly'
Ninja farts and homicidal Brits living in the country: the primary competition for my book 'Silent but Deadly'.
Kirsten Bell
- May 29
- 7 min
The case of the missing areolae
An anthropological analysis of why classic paintings lack areolae and the cultural meanings of breasts.
Kirsten Bell
- May 22
- 3 min
Bell on Bell: HARDtalk
I interview myself in the manner of the book 'Ayoade on Ayoade'.
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