Computer-Mediated Anthropology

An Online Resource Center

CMA METHODOLOGY: Applied Internet Anthropology

by Noah Porter, 2004

According to van Willigen, applied anthropology is "anthropology put to use" (1993: 7), thereby placing the benefit of our research subjects as the primary consideration of our research, rather than as secondary to advancing theory in our discipline. Although few (to my knowledge) have pursued it so far, the Internet presents new possibilities for anthropology to be put to use.

Forte (2002) designed a website for his informants. He writes: "online visibility [helps] to virtually embody groups who might not otherwise be noticed or distinguished, who, given this virtualized visibility and embodiment subsequently gain recognition from prospective allies and brokers." I did something similar in an applied project for Dr. Greenbaum's class in which I designed a website that was supposed to help bring attention to the unfair practices by the city of Tampa against some of its impoverished citizens:

Cyberspace Advocacy: Designing a Webpage for the Endgate Tragedy

Lenhart et al write: "Some 24% of Americans are truly offline; they have no direct or indirect experience with the Internet" (2003: 3). The digital divide has not gone away, and applied Internet anthropology can help people to cross it when it is in their interest to do so.

 

References Cited

Forte, Maximilian C.
_____2002 'We are not extinct': The revival of Carib and Taino identities, the internet, and the transformation of offline indigenes into online 'N-digenes'. Electronic document: http://sincronia.cucsh.udg.mx/CyberIndigen.htm.

Lenhart, Amanda, John Horrigan, Lee Rainie, Katherine Allen, Angie Boyce, Mary Madden, Erin O'Grady
_____2003 The Ever-Shifting Internet Population: A new look at Internet access and the digital divide. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Electronic document: http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/88/report_display.asp.

van Willigen, John
_____1993 Applied Anthropology: an introduction. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey.