The word culture, from the Latincolo, -ere, with its root meaning "to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. Different definitions of "culture" reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. Anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically. This capacity is long been taken as a defining feature of the genus Homo. However, primatologists such as Jane Goodall have identified aspects of culture among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.Goodall, J. 1986. The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior.
Dancer, Artist Enlivens Death Valley Junction Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:51:00 -0400 In 1967 a flat tire led dancer and artist Marta Becket to Death Valley, an opera house — and her life's work. Today, she no longer dances, but she continues to attract an audience. Who Wrote Shakespeare's Plays? Debate Goes On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:01:00 -0400 Centuries later, doubts persist that William Shakespeare penned the works that bear his name. Skeptics include not only scholars but also famous folks, ranging from Orson Welles to Mark Twain. 'Thurgood' Plays To Standing Ovations On Broadway Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:47:00 -0400 Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall is perhaps best known for Brown v. the Board of Education. Now, actor Laurence Fishburne is playing him on Broadway in Thurgood, which is playing to sold-out audiences and standing ovations on Broadway.
Guardian Unlimited: Culture Vulture
Culture Vulture: The last post Fri, 27 Oct 2006 10:39:13 -0000 If you're here on Culture Vulture and looking in bewilderment for one of our regular features - today's Readers recommend, for instance - then never fear. We've been making some exciting changes to Guardian arts online, among which are a... Not just a pretty phrase Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:10:55 -0000 Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer's one-man show is punchy and witty, but Lyn Gardner wonders what happened to the traditional deskbound, enigmatic author. Best of the literary blogosphere Sat, 21 Oct 2006 00:22:03 -0000 The announcement of Orhan Pamuk's Nobel laureateship was greeted with a largely positive response from literary bloggers. "It's going to be harder to complain about this one than recent winners - we certainly can't," concedes The Literary Saloon, before...