serenissima (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
serenissima) wrote2008-06-15 07:08 pm
serenissima) wrote2008-06-15 07:08 pm
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Pirahã: The only thing that exists is here and now
While wandering about LJ a couple days ago, I found an intriguing post. I've been reading about this tiny little South American tribe, the Pirahã. There's a lengthy article published by the New Yorker here.
Since the research on this tribe and its language has been done by so few people, I Googled for a few other pieces. Some organization called Instituto Socioambiental has a kind of encyclopedia of South American tribes, including an entry on the Pirahã. And here's a brief piece that includes links to two drawings made by tribe members. Finally, here are a few recent comments, including a link to a TV segment.
What's so unusual about these people is that it seems they hardly think abstractly. There is nothing more than personal experience; future and past do not concern them.
Read the articles. It's just a really different way of looking at the world, and that is so cool.
Since the research on this tribe and its language has been done by so few people, I Googled for a few other pieces. Some organization called Instituto Socioambiental has a kind of encyclopedia of South American tribes, including an entry on the Pirahã. And here's a brief piece that includes links to two drawings made by tribe members. Finally, here are a few recent comments, including a link to a TV segment.
What's so unusual about these people is that it seems they hardly think abstractly. There is nothing more than personal experience; future and past do not concern them.
Read the articles. It's just a really different way of looking at the world, and that is so cool.