- Sep 22, 2013
- 4,956
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This is a 'commerce-wheel' parable inspired by the films Wag the Dog and The Thomas Crown Affair.
Cheers,
====
Angelina Jolie and Harrison Ford were happy with the anthropology-adventure films they made for America --- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While Jolie and Ford were not specifically trained/educated in anthropology, they found the ancient-relic adventure themes in their films quite intriguing. Of course, their films were also a hit with fans of that genre of film-making, a genre that goes arguably way back to the days of Gunga-Din and The Thief of Bagdad. Jolie and Ford were contemplating the general symbolic value of their respective films and what it would mean to future archaeologists 'studying' our era!
Meanwhile, American toy and game companies such as Mattel and Parker Brothers were busy designing entertainment/recreation scenarios and diadems for their consumer market which would reflect a very general but also very certain American fascination with fortune-hunting, treasures, and precious goods. Wheel of Fortune the board-game became quite popular, since it reflected much of the same detective-word quest themes presented in the real game-show it mimicked. Kids and adults alike enjoyed playing at home and imagining scenarios in which they could out-guess their opponents for tricky word-phrases that would yield prize-money!
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) was very interesting obviously to modern-day scientists/engineers, and many youth-programs on TV such as kids' cartoons presented various incredible characters/scenarios in which A.I. robots battled and vied for dominion. Transformers (Hasbro) became the most popular of such programs/series/franchises; one series of robots from their show --- called 'beast-masters' (e.g., Twinferno-Dragon) --- presented outrageous robots transforming into dinosaurs and dragons and competing to determine their 'destiny.' It was obvious to most 'society critics' that modern civilization liked presenting 'history gems' (or symbolic totems/toys) to 'characterize' the intrigue of evolution itself!
Finally, an anthropologist named Dave Duke decided to publish a theory in the Yale Journal of Anthropology (YJA) about the connections between modern civilization fascination with 'history totems/toys' and modern civilization fascination with broadcasted college athletics teams mascot-revelry/chivalry. Duke even (musingly) referenced the popularity of the Duke Blue Devil mascot for the celebrated American men's college basketball team in the Carolinas. Dave Duke suggested that these 'relics' or 'totems' of evolution and cultural history signified a distinct human curiosity about linking ornaments with principles. Was Duke correct?
U.S. President Donald Trump was very intrigued by Dave Duke's anthropology conjecture after reading it in the YJA. Trump invited Duke to the White House for an informal tea and discussion about our 'culture of ornaments.' The conversation between Trump and Duke would impact the direction of commerce-related geopolitical treaties (e.g., NATO, EU, etc.).
DUKE: Thanks for inviting me; I'm thrilled you liked my work.
TRUMP: It was fascinating, Dr. Duke; thanks for coming to the White House.
DUKE: What did you want to discuss?
TRUMP: Your reference to a 'culture of ornaments' stirs my curiosity about Luther.
DUKE: Yes, the Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther) altered 'ornamentation-mentality.'
TRUMP: It sure did, but what do you think we've been doing since then (in your opinion)?
DUKE: Planet Hollywood, Trump Taj Mahal(!), and Disney suggest ornaments have returned!
TRUMP: Yes, today's kids and adults like love toys and the magic of presentation, don't they?
DUKE: They sure do, Mr. President. I wonder if that's related to James Bond fanfare...
TRUMP: Sure! Bond films present decked-out cars, fancy toys, and incredible palaces.
DUKE: The 'palaces of villains' (sounds like another interesting anthropology topic!).
TRUMP: I was thrilled managing my Atlantic City casino, and I appreciate Wall Street films.
DUKE: Oliver Stone gifted us with the original Michael Douglas picture (quite symbolic).
TRUMP: What would you say to youngsters fascinated by Monopoly (Parker Brothers)?
DUKE: I think I'd say, "This game will teach you how to celebrate the 'game' of capitalism!"
TRUMP: I think you're right; perhaps we should watch Goldfinger together, professor.
====
Cheers,
====
Angelina Jolie and Harrison Ford were happy with the anthropology-adventure films they made for America --- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While Jolie and Ford were not specifically trained/educated in anthropology, they found the ancient-relic adventure themes in their films quite intriguing. Of course, their films were also a hit with fans of that genre of film-making, a genre that goes arguably way back to the days of Gunga-Din and The Thief of Bagdad. Jolie and Ford were contemplating the general symbolic value of their respective films and what it would mean to future archaeologists 'studying' our era!
Meanwhile, American toy and game companies such as Mattel and Parker Brothers were busy designing entertainment/recreation scenarios and diadems for their consumer market which would reflect a very general but also very certain American fascination with fortune-hunting, treasures, and precious goods. Wheel of Fortune the board-game became quite popular, since it reflected much of the same detective-word quest themes presented in the real game-show it mimicked. Kids and adults alike enjoyed playing at home and imagining scenarios in which they could out-guess their opponents for tricky word-phrases that would yield prize-money!
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) was very interesting obviously to modern-day scientists/engineers, and many youth-programs on TV such as kids' cartoons presented various incredible characters/scenarios in which A.I. robots battled and vied for dominion. Transformers (Hasbro) became the most popular of such programs/series/franchises; one series of robots from their show --- called 'beast-masters' (e.g., Twinferno-Dragon) --- presented outrageous robots transforming into dinosaurs and dragons and competing to determine their 'destiny.' It was obvious to most 'society critics' that modern civilization liked presenting 'history gems' (or symbolic totems/toys) to 'characterize' the intrigue of evolution itself!
Finally, an anthropologist named Dave Duke decided to publish a theory in the Yale Journal of Anthropology (YJA) about the connections between modern civilization fascination with 'history totems/toys' and modern civilization fascination with broadcasted college athletics teams mascot-revelry/chivalry. Duke even (musingly) referenced the popularity of the Duke Blue Devil mascot for the celebrated American men's college basketball team in the Carolinas. Dave Duke suggested that these 'relics' or 'totems' of evolution and cultural history signified a distinct human curiosity about linking ornaments with principles. Was Duke correct?
U.S. President Donald Trump was very intrigued by Dave Duke's anthropology conjecture after reading it in the YJA. Trump invited Duke to the White House for an informal tea and discussion about our 'culture of ornaments.' The conversation between Trump and Duke would impact the direction of commerce-related geopolitical treaties (e.g., NATO, EU, etc.).
DUKE: Thanks for inviting me; I'm thrilled you liked my work.
TRUMP: It was fascinating, Dr. Duke; thanks for coming to the White House.
DUKE: What did you want to discuss?
TRUMP: Your reference to a 'culture of ornaments' stirs my curiosity about Luther.
DUKE: Yes, the Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther) altered 'ornamentation-mentality.'
TRUMP: It sure did, but what do you think we've been doing since then (in your opinion)?
DUKE: Planet Hollywood, Trump Taj Mahal(!), and Disney suggest ornaments have returned!
TRUMP: Yes, today's kids and adults like love toys and the magic of presentation, don't they?
DUKE: They sure do, Mr. President. I wonder if that's related to James Bond fanfare...
TRUMP: Sure! Bond films present decked-out cars, fancy toys, and incredible palaces.
DUKE: The 'palaces of villains' (sounds like another interesting anthropology topic!).
TRUMP: I was thrilled managing my Atlantic City casino, and I appreciate Wall Street films.
DUKE: Oliver Stone gifted us with the original Michael Douglas picture (quite symbolic).
TRUMP: What would you say to youngsters fascinated by Monopoly (Parker Brothers)?
DUKE: I think I'd say, "This game will teach you how to celebrate the 'game' of capitalism!"
TRUMP: I think you're right; perhaps we should watch Goldfinger together, professor.
====
