Copperheads in Emerald City

Post by JR » Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:25 am

Donald E. Brown is an American professor of anthropology (emeritus). He worked at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is best known for his theoretical work regarding the existence, characteristics and relevance of universals of human nature. In his best known work, Human Universals, he says these universals, "comprise those features of culture, society, language, behavior, and psyche for which there are no known exceptions."

"wariness around snakes" makes his list of human universals. So I am guessing that it is not just "ignorant parents/friends" teaching every culture around the world to fear snakes.

Post by **rhunt** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:04 pm

pkananen, here is my nerdy reptile answer.

1.0 Sinaloan milk snake - "Bob"
0.1 Snow corn snake - "Luna"
0.1 Boa Constrictor - "Iris" - unsure of the type of Boa yet.
1.0 Gray banded king snake - "Raul"

Post by **tbwilsonky** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:10 pm

JR wrote:Donald E. Brown is an American professor of anthropology (emeritus). He worked at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is best known for his theoretical work regarding the existence, characteristics and relevance of universals of human nature. In his best known work, Human Universals, he says these universals, "comprise those features of culture, society, language, behavior, and psyche for which there are no known exceptions."

"wariness around snakes" makes his list of human universals. So I am guessing that it is not just "ignorant parents/friends" teaching every culture around the world to fear snakes.

given the almost laughable context in which 'snake wariness' appears i think it's safe to dismiss its universality.

http://tinyurl.com/7yeaz

a few 'universal' highlights from our cognitive anthropologist:

...oedipus complex
...overestimating objectivity of thought (i know of at least one person who is guilt of this...*cough* Dr. Brown)
...culture

the last one is the most illuminating i think: the manifestation of being (culture) is a univeral feature of being (culture).

nice. almost as good as having a list of universals listing words (in english no less) which themselves are the fuzzy subject of entire books.

-9

-t

Post by **rhunt** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:43 pm

tbwilsonky, Can you translate that last post for me? How does that have to do with the fear of snakes?

Post by **tbwilsonky** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:00 pm

i'm refuting the claim that 'wariness around snakes' is somehow a universal human trait. i chose to do so by critiquing the context in which said claim was made (i.e. in a list of highly questionable universals). i would prefer to base my refutation on/around Dr. Brown's methodology, but i don't have access to his book at the moment. but even if Dr. Brown's research showed 'wariness around snakes' in several cultures - said wariness is still a cultural product and not a transcendent quality of humanity. it's universality rests wholly on repetition rather than instinct.

in other words: i'm not sure which objects of fear (if any) are built into us. but my educated guess regarding snakes? no. not built into us. transmitted through learning.

-t

Post by **bcombs** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:07 pm

I was never taught to fear snakes, and I don't now... We played with the typical garter and others as a kid. But, I'm very alert around them and get an adrenaline rush when I spot one. I think it's the unpredictable way that they move when exposed. In tight quarters with a snake on the move I always get a little nervous.

I almost backed off the top of the cliff near captain one eye at purple valley while trying to avoid one.

Post by **tbwilsonky** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:11 pm

yeah. i'm wary around poisonous snakes myself. and come to think of it i also get a little adrenaline going. the rush, however, is the same i get around - say - a drunk guy at a bar trying to pick a fight.

so basically i get an adrenaline rush around things i can't control that can potentially f**k me up.

-t

Post by **pkananen** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:23 pm

rhunt wrote:pkananen, here is my nerdy reptile answer.

1.0 Sinaloan milk snake - "Bob"
0.1 Snow corn snake - "Luna"
0.1 Boa Constrictor - "Iris" - unsure of the type of Boa yet.
1.0 Gray banded king snake - "Raul"

Nice, I've had a couple of snakes for most of my life. Now I just have one.

1.0 Boa constrictor imperator

I assume you go to the Columbus reptile show once in a while?

Post by **GWG** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:26 pm

Having travelled to several places around the globe with my work, there does seem to be a "general" wariness of snakes with the people I've come in contact with. I have as one of my screen savers a shot of a timber rattlesnake I came across on the Appalachian Trail and when they see it, they tend to share their feelings about snakes. In several places, it seems as though their "wariness" is warranted due to the number of venumous snakes in their region.

This is a shot of the rattlesnake seen on the AT in eastern PA.

I am computer illiterate so I haven't figured out how to post the actual picture on this message. I tried following the directions found in another thread but not sure if it worked.

Post by **GWG** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:28 pm

Damn! The link didn't work. I AM computer illiterate.