I have a growing interest in anthropological monographs with grand titles. The first one of this genre I encountered was Bronisław Malinowski's "Argonauts Of The Western Pacific". Truly, an epic, epic title. Such titles beckon a reader into an inspiring world while the reader hopes dearly that such grand language and settings might not be complete fantasy.
Another one of these books I found by accident, though I am sure I would have found it at some point down the road, is "Vikings Of The Pacific" by Peter Buck. I found it in a bizarre area (the infamous clastrophobic floor after floor of small corridors of glass flooring which I--being 6'3"--must hunch constantly while cautiously navigating) of the Bizzell Library in Norman, Oklahoma called 'the decks'.
The book addresses the brave and brilliant Polynesian mariners who were equals only to the Vikings of the North Atlantic.
One of the best paragraphs I have ever read is in the intro, Peter Buck writes:
"I may be criticized for applying the term vikings to the Polynesian ancestors, but the term has come to mean bold, intrepid mariners and so is not the monopoly of the hardy Norsemen of the North Atlantic. To the Polynesians, the sunset symbolized death and the spirit land to which they returned, but the sunrise was the symbol of life, hope, and new lands that awaited discovery. I am hopeful that Vikings of the Sunrise will reach my kinsmen in the scattered isles of Polynesia and draw us together in the bond of the spirit. We have new problems before us, but we have a glorious heritage, for we come of the blood that conquered the Pacific with stone-age vessels that sailed ever toward the sunrise."
A great sample from a great book.
A blog about geography, travel, anthropology, archaeology, history and more.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Free Printable Blank Map Of The World
Free Printable Blank Map Of The World
Printable Free Blank Map
Printable Free Map
Free Blank Map Of World
Free Map Of The World Blank
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Google Search "Geography Blog"
I am trying to make this blog unique and personal as well as about geography. That's because one of the first rules of successful entertainment is: as well as content and talent, the personality of the presenter is important.
So that is why I am willing to discuss internal issues with the blog. After all, everyone loves when radio talk show hosts banter with the 'producer' or sound mixer or discuss things that relate to the radio show instead of just talking politics or humor or whatever the format may be.
The internal issue in question is my search rank on Google. Honestly, my blog should be in the top page or two when you search 'Geography Blog' on google. I update my blog very consistently. I might take a week off or as I did first the first time last week and the week before, two weeks. But I don't abandon my blog like 99% of bloggers. Many of the blogs ahead of mine are 1 entry. And it is the 'I am going to start blogging' entry. Many of the blogs ahead of mine are disorganized. Many of them are just not very good.
Also, the majority of my posts are substantial. I put 10-20 pictures on many of my posts and try to get a good couple of paragraphs in as well on a topic. I put a personal spin on each subject and try to raise awareness to issues which are not covered elsewhere.
To this I ask one favor:
Please link to this blog if you have a website.
Here is the url: http://calebgolston.blogspot.com/
It is the only thing that really matters at the end of the day when google compiles there search rank. The comments increase exponentially once a few comments are made (it is human nature to only comment when others already have). But the links are what increases the search volume. It doesn't even matter who is subscribed or not subscribed.
If my blog can increase in traffic and prestige it will benefit the reader. I have projects I want to pursue. I want to help the environment in a substantial way. I have high quality content I would like to give away for free. But it all depends on making this blog viral so I have the platform to do all of these things.
Caleb
So that is why I am willing to discuss internal issues with the blog. After all, everyone loves when radio talk show hosts banter with the 'producer' or sound mixer or discuss things that relate to the radio show instead of just talking politics or humor or whatever the format may be.
The internal issue in question is my search rank on Google. Honestly, my blog should be in the top page or two when you search 'Geography Blog' on google. I update my blog very consistently. I might take a week off or as I did first the first time last week and the week before, two weeks. But I don't abandon my blog like 99% of bloggers. Many of the blogs ahead of mine are 1 entry. And it is the 'I am going to start blogging' entry. Many of the blogs ahead of mine are disorganized. Many of them are just not very good.
Also, the majority of my posts are substantial. I put 10-20 pictures on many of my posts and try to get a good couple of paragraphs in as well on a topic. I put a personal spin on each subject and try to raise awareness to issues which are not covered elsewhere.
To this I ask one favor:
Please link to this blog if you have a website.
Here is the url: http://calebgolston.blogspot.com/
It is the only thing that really matters at the end of the day when google compiles there search rank. The comments increase exponentially once a few comments are made (it is human nature to only comment when others already have). But the links are what increases the search volume. It doesn't even matter who is subscribed or not subscribed.
If my blog can increase in traffic and prestige it will benefit the reader. I have projects I want to pursue. I want to help the environment in a substantial way. I have high quality content I would like to give away for free. But it all depends on making this blog viral so I have the platform to do all of these things.
Caleb
Friday, September 9, 2011
What Is The Smallest Country In The World?
What Is The Smallest Country In The World? At 0.2 square miles (0.44 km2) in area, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.
Other small countries include Liechtenstein (the smallest German speaking country in the world), Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu, Malta and The Maldives.
Basically, most of the smallest countries are either tax havens in Europe or islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans!
Other small countries include Liechtenstein (the smallest German speaking country in the world), Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu, Malta and The Maldives.
Basically, most of the smallest countries are either tax havens in Europe or islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
City Profile 018: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
CITY PROFILE 018: EDMONTON
Coordinates: 53°34′N 113°31′W
Elevation: 668 m (2,192 ft)
Daily Mean Temp: 3.9 Celsius (39 Fahrenheit)
Metro Population: 1 million.
Estimated 2050 Metro Population: at least 1.145 million.
Risks: Extreme cold in winter, somewhat isolated (though this can be good in some ways too).
Advantages: Wealthy, 'trendy' city, economic prosperity, located in the North American Great Plains (clear down to Texas) rich in resources, jobs and future growth.
Resources: Immediate: Regional: Oil, Natural Gas, Agricultural land.
Other: I think Edmonton is very intriguing. The extreme cold is a big negative but besides that, it is hard to find much wrong with the city.
This is a panorama of the downtown Edmonton Skyline, Taken by Steven Mackaay on 23 September 2008. Beautiful Photo!
Coordinates: 53°34′N 113°31′W
Elevation: 668 m (2,192 ft)
Daily Mean Temp: 3.9 Celsius (39 Fahrenheit)
Metro Population: 1 million.
Estimated 2050 Metro Population: at least 1.145 million.
Risks: Extreme cold in winter, somewhat isolated (though this can be good in some ways too).
Advantages: Wealthy, 'trendy' city, economic prosperity, located in the North American Great Plains (clear down to Texas) rich in resources, jobs and future growth.
Resources: Immediate: Regional: Oil, Natural Gas, Agricultural land.
Other: I think Edmonton is very intriguing. The extreme cold is a big negative but besides that, it is hard to find much wrong with the city.
This is a panorama of the downtown Edmonton Skyline, Taken by Steven Mackaay on 23 September 2008. Beautiful Photo!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
What Is The Highest Mountain In Australia?
What is the highest mountain in Australia? At 2,228 metres (7,310 ft), Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales, Australia is the tallest mountain in Australia proper. Interestingly, though Australia is much larger than New Zealand and many might assume islands rarely have tall mountains, New Zealand has far more taller mountains than Australia. Mount Cook in the Southern Alps for instance, is 3,754 metres (12,316 ft). Additionally, the Southern Alps have many peaks over 3,000 meters. Papua New Guinea has even taller peaks. Though I know Indonesia, Papua new Guinea, New Zealand, Hawaii and other islands have tall snow capped mountains, I always feel like it would be impossible for such hot, humid, tropical places to have snow. In fact, some people might immediately declare Hawaii has never had snow when in fact Mauna Loa on the big island gets snow all the time.
Snow clearly visible on Mauna Loa, Big Island, Hawaii.
17 February 2005(2005-02-17)
Credit: Gordon Joly
Mount Cook also known as Aoraki. Snow clearly visible.
North from Mt Kosciusko, Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales, Australia. JJ Harrison.
Snow clearly visible on Mauna Loa, Big Island, Hawaii.
17 February 2005(2005-02-17)
Credit: Gordon Joly
Mount Cook also known as Aoraki. Snow clearly visible.
North from Mt Kosciusko, Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales, Australia. JJ Harrison.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Last Months Numbers
Last month (August 2011) was this blogs biggest month yet in terms of views. At the current rate, this month could beat last month. I hope this blog continues to increase in readership and am happy at the comments my posts have been receiving recently. Even if you just want to say 'hey' and where you are in the world it's appreciated! Also, linking to my blog on your site/blog is helpful as it boosts the search rank.
Caleb
Caleb
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