The case of the missing areolae
An anthropological analysis of why classic paintings lack areolae and the cultural meanings of breasts.
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Kirsten Bell
anthropologist, not the actress.
Kirsten Bell
- May 22
- 3 min
Bell on Bell: HARDtalk
I interview myself in the manner of the book 'Ayoade on Ayoade'.
Kirsten Bell
- May 15
- 5 min
Tech is changing what it means to have a dominant hand
An anthropological analysis of the ways technology is changing patterns of handedness.
Kirsten Bell
- May 8
- 11 min
A typology of inconsiderate swimmers at public pools
An anthropological perspective on types of inconsiderate swimmers in pools and a letter to the most inconsiderate swimmer of them all.
Kirsten Bell
- May 1
- 11 min
Hygiene, swimming pools and the French obsession with budgie smugglers
An anthropological analysis of the French obsession with wearing speedos in swimming pools.
Kirsten Bell
- Apr 24
- 8 min
The purpose of nicknames
An anthropological analysis of nicknames and the rules surrounding them in Australia.
Kirsten Bell
- Apr 17
- 6 min
An ode to Renesmee
My personal encounter with the name 'Renesmee' and what it says about names in the future.
Kirsten Bell
- Apr 3
- 6 min
What snot sub-genres tell us about children's books
The primary themes in children's books as read through the genre of snot stories.
Kirsten Bell
- Mar 20
- 7 min
Must love dogs
An anthropological analysis of our cultural obsession with dogs.
Kirsten Bell
- Mar 13
- 8 min
The snot that we forgot: Part II
An anthropological analysis of the cross-cultural meanings of nose-picking.
Kirsten Bell
- Mar 6
- 7 min
The snot that we forgot: Part I
An anthropological analysis of snot and its historical and cross-cultural meanings.
Kirsten Bell
- Feb 27
- 7 min
The roots of the Tooth Fairy
An anthropological analysis of the origins of the Tooth Fairy.
Kirsten Bell
- Feb 24
- 6 min
The Dentist Who Hated Me
The angry letter I received from the president of an association of cosmetic dentistry and my response.
Kirsten Bell
- Feb 20
- 4 min
Going to the dentist bites
An Australian anthropologist reflects on the North American obsession with perfect teeth.
Kirsten Bell
- Feb 17
- 2 min
'Geeky bum time'
A satiric letter to The Sun about their coverage of my new book and the satiric book ad their article inspired.
Kirsten Bell
- Feb 13
- 7 min
Silent but deadly: Farting across cultures
An anthropological analysis of the cross-cultural meanings of farting.
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