When it comes to criticizing Gov. Rick Scott, the pickings aren’t exactly slim. Disappearing e-mails and disingenuous comments on his “7-7-7” job plan are merely the latest. But there is one recent incident where he could genuinely have been cut some slack. That flap about anthropologists.
Here’s what he said that grew a week’s worth of media legs: that Florida “doesn’t need a lot more anthropologists.” Context, as always, is critical. He was talking about future job creation and attraction and the merits of upping the ante on increased emphasis in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)education. And he’s right.
He was trying to make a point about relative priorities. And anthropologists, along with sociologists, psychologists and many other worthwhile callings, are simply less critical in recruiting the jobs of the future than are the STEM professions.
Too bad Scott didn’t say that Florida “doesn’t need a lot more arbitragers and lawyers.”
In response to comments you made in today’s article with your byline on tbo.com, I would respectfully submit this prezi presentation crafted by USF anthropology students.
This wonderfully crafted presentation takes only a few minutes, and is very enlightening. It’s important, especially since USF is one of the birthplaces of applied anthropology some 40 years ago. Many people hold antiquated visions of what anthropologists actually do. I hope you will take three minutes to check this out. Money back if you’re not surprised!
http://prezi.com/vmvomt3sj3fd/this-is-anthropology/
Maggie:
Sorry for the delayed response. Been out of town.
Thanks for sending along the presentation. Well done. I knew that everyone who was studying anthropology wasn’t planning on channeling Margaret Mead, but this made the point about all its applications.
However, I still say it was a throw-away line by a governor who should be thrown away. I think his narrow point is still valid about what correlates most with STEM — and there’s not across-the-board agreement on what sciences should be included in its definition. Scott sees, say, an IRX commitment and doesn’t relate that to anthropology. Maybe he — and John Hadden — should be sent this presentation.
Ironically, the governor’s quote may be a positive, on balance, for the study of anthropology and appreciation for all of its societal applications. You’re well into an impressive batch of lemonade.
Thanks again for taking the time to get in touch.
Regards,
Joe O’Neill
Subj: RE: a respectful request
You’re right – it was a throwaway line and he is a throwaway governor. Sadly, I doubt he has any interest in what anthropologists really do; he could ask his own daughter. His lack of mentioning any of the other ‘soft’ science speaks to a general lack of knowledge about what anthros do. He couldn’t make that statement about geography or history or political science, although these are taught in the same building as anthropology at USF.
Disclaimer: I’m not an anthro, although I took a bunch of undergrad courses and one graduate level course. I did work in the Anthro Dept. at USF for about a decade, as assistant to the graduate programs director.
Thanks for your honest and thoughtful reply.
-maggie