archives: Culture
Neill Blomkamp (District 9) On Alien Life And The Coming Singularity
The director of District 9 shares his take on aliens and the future of intelligent life. More »
Old Glory: Why American Travelers Need To Reclaim Their Flag
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For too long, the American flag has been undefended by travelers unwilling to bear the brunt of foreign scorn. Natalie Grant believes it's time Ameri More »
Photo Essay: Holi, The Wacky Hindu Festival of Colors
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Holi is either a spectacular celebration of subcontinental heritage...or a day to get baked out of your head and grope any woman that comes within rea More »
The Truth About Happiness and Travel
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The excitement of a forthcoming trip might be what's getting you through your workday. So why did researchers find that planning trips brings us more More »
In Defense Of The Introverted Traveler
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Who says you need to be an extrovert to enjoy traveling around the world? More »
Avatar, And The Fable of the White Messiah
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Avatar has been lauded for its anti-war, pro-environment message. But is there a darker reality lurking under the surface? More »
Photo Essay: Inviting The Gods With The Japanese Mochi Ceremony
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Allison Grossman photographs the spiritual and cultural mochitsuki ceremony, where mochi, a Japanese rice cake is pounded and molded into shape. More »
How To Defy The Definition Of Dangerous
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Is it possible to re-imagine our understanding of dangerous destinations? Natalie Grant explores how to make the shift, though our understanding of r More »
Caste Vs. Class: How Status Plays Into India’s Social Media, and Ours
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The caste system has become as much a part of India's social networking as everyday life. Does the class system play a similar role in our social medi More »
Do New TSA Screening Techniques Amount to Sexual Harassment of Muslim Women?
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New TSA security measures are making some Muslim women feel threatened. Is the name of the game once again security over personal freedoms? More »
New PBS Travel Show Goes Behind World Music
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The premiere of Soundtracks: Music Without Borders happens this Monday night. If you are into both music and travel, this show is worth a watch. More »
For What It’s Worth: Should Our Values Define Us?
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Maintaining certain values is often a cut and dry topic. But when there are so many different values circulating the world, how do we honestly say wha More »
Deal Breaker: Questioning the Ethics of Bargaining
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Haggling is a part of the budget traveler's experience, and is custom in many countries. But is it fair and just? More »
5 Amazing Travel Truths for 2010 (That You Already Suspected)
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Here's a sneak peek of what we're in store for in the next decade. More »
Change is Not a Four Letter Word
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As a part of a fast-driven worldwide culture, we expect change in the blink of an eye. Tis the season to think about how slow and steady actually wins More »
Local Culture Club: The Universal Desire to Fit In
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Joanna Haugen did her best to fit into the Kenyan culture while serving in the Peace Corps. What she learned is that sometimes, trying hard is not the More »
Video: Artifacts Depicting Sex Sparks Cultural and Religious Debate [NSFW]
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Ancient Greek and Roman vases and bowls show a much randier society than our own. Are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam to blame? More »
The Rights and Wrongs of Traditional Cultures
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Many of us tend to romanticize or condemn the acts or traditions of indigenous cultures. But do we really have the right, or understanding, to do eith More »
Photo Essay: Ground Zero for 2012 in Copan, Honduras
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According to Hollywood, the world is doomed for destruction in 2012. Not so, say the people living near the Mayan ruins in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. More »
Pagan Traveler: The Mysterious Origins Of The Green Man
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Marc Latham attempts to unravel the mythical history of "The Green Man," a figure that has persisted in cultures all over the world. More »
Are Americans Afraid of Overseas Travel?
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Overseas travel continues to decline for Americans, while travel to Mexico and Canada is up. Does this have to do with the economic downturn, or deepe More »
A Moment Of Reflection For Women The World Over
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Christine Garvin takes a look at what it means to be a woman in the 21st century, where assault, rape, and slavery are all still employed on a large s More »
Culture Of Fear: How The Media Killed The H1N1 Flu Shot
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As the swine flu vaccine hits the clinics, many people are, surprisingly, opting out. Here's how the media created this unintended consequence. More »
Localwashing: Shop Locally at Your Neighborhood Corporate Store
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Corporations are co-opting the "shop local" movement. What does this mean for travelers trying to support their destination's local restaurants and sh More »
The Lonely World Of A Traveling Reader
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Shannon Dunlap, expat in Cambodia, finds solace in her books, yet remains at risk of losing connection with the culture around her. More »
Good Triumphs Over Evil: The World Celebrates Diwali
People celebrate the Indian New Year with a multitude of lights, some car buying, a little Presidential party, and an old episode of 'The Office.' More »
Close Encounters of the Third Sex: The Hijras of India
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Hijras, transsexual or transgender men, take part in almost every celebration in India. They can also frighten tourists and Indians alike with their f More »
Interview: Jamie Catto Travels The World To Ask ‘What About Me?’
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Producer Jamie Catto shares what he learned about shooting his world music doc on the road: there's so much more that unites us than divides us. More »
‘Against All Prejudices’ Photo: Just Your Average Stereotypes?
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This week's popular photo around the web is certainly joyous. But does the title play into stereotypes that are just blatantly incorrect? More »
Cutting Through The Clutter: More Seriously Shocking PSAs
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According to this clip on Current TV, today's PSAs need to have blood, boobs, and gross-out comedy. Hopefully all three. More »
Everything Is Okay: London Protestors Encourage Free Speech (And Hugs)
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Spreading their grassroots activism via megaphone, The Love Police hope to wake everyone up from the real-life matrix. More »
The Political Power Of Words
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As words lose their potency in the West, places like war-traumatized Cambodia are still swayed by the power of the pen. More »
Live Long And Prosper: Deconstructing The Happy Planet Index
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The Happy Planet Index ranks the happiest countries in the world - Shelly Seale explores what can we learn from studying their cultures. More »
5 Things Cities Can Learn From Burning Man
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Not just a drug-fueled party in the desert, Burning Man has a lot to teach real cities, according to founder Larry Harvey. More »
10 Traveler’s Tips For Rocking A Nudist Beach
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Travelers tend to enjoy ultimate freedom on the road, though jumping the psychological hurdle of experiencing nude beaches can remain a challenge. More »
Indifference Abroad: An Expat’s Battle To Keep Her Compassion
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A Cambodian expat faces the daily reality of poverty and suffering - and wonders how it has affected her ability to cultivate sympathy. More »
Nectar Of The Gods: The Cultural History Of Chocolate
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Once reserved only for Aztec royalty, the origin of chocolate weaves a mysterious (and delicious) web throughout history. More »
Victims Abroad: How To Regain Your Trust Of Travel
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Negative cultural experiences can sour our joy of people. But it's these critical moments of uncertainty that determine whether or not we cling rigidl More »
‘Moral Blindness’: Do Liberals Look Down On Religious Tradition?
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A recent article on Counter Punch questions if the progressive, western point-of-view actually shows itself as anti-religious bigotry. More »
White Man, Asian Girl: Who Decides The Nature Of Love?
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A common sight on the streets of cities like Bangkok and Pataya is portrayed from the eyes of the girl. More »
6 Wacky Creation Myths Around The World
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Eggs, urine, feces and flying spaghetti are some of the interesting possibilities from whence we came. More »
Love Hurts: 8 Of The World’s Greatest Sex Scandals
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Sex scandals have rocked society since the pyramids. Christine Garvin outlines 8 of the most scandalous over the last few millenia. More »
And They Stoned Me: The Joy Of Cycling Ethiopia
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Meeting children on the road is one of the joys of travel... unless they have an unusually painful way of showing their affection. More »
Romanian Teen To Pay Half Of Her Virginity-Auctioned Earnings To Gov
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The German government is demanding Alina Percea pay tax on money made through losing her virginity. More »
Holy Undercurrent: How Religion Shapes Cultures Worldwide
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It's tempting to see exotic cultures as overtly religious. But as the author reveals, Western culture is also rife with religous influence. More »
Interview: Stephanie Elizondo Griest On Traveling To Your Motherland
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Stories and advice on visiting "the most meaningful" of all travel destinations. More »
Teen Training: Vietnamese Sex Education Goes On Holiday
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In a culture where parents struggle to educate their kids on a taboo subject, one travel company has stepped in to fill the void. More »
White By Birth, Another Heritage By Choice
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Can romanticizing other cultures be unintentionally harmful and divisive? More »
