I’m posting this from the lodge here at Big Bend whilst enjoying a nice porter, so for anyone reading this you can be at ease—I’ve made it safe and sound. I too was worried that I’d veer off a cliff on the way in due to jamming too hard to a Dave Matthews song or gaping at the incredible scenery.
Let me provide a succinct run-down of what exactly I’m doing here (no Mom, I’m not just bumbling around outside for 6 weeks):
- One of the common definitions of anthropology is the study of people and relationships. Part of the allure of the discipline to me personally was that it is so broad. You could literally do an ‘anthropology’ of anything.
- When an anthropologist conducts fieldwork, which is the foundation of any great research/writing, it is typically an ethnography. This involves deciding on a field site, then seeking out informants and conducting participant observation (glorified hanging-out) with them. Rather than a super formal interview / focus group / survey (these methods are still used just to a lesser extent), it’s my job to go have conversations with pretty much anyone who will talk to me, and form a relationship with them in the process.
- In contrast to other disciplines, anthropology doesn’t concoct a hypothesis before conducting research. Rather, you go into it with an idea of what you’re looking for and then let the ethnographic study take the reins.
- So in my case, I’ll be focusing on how technology and specifically social media have affected the relationship between wilderness and visitors. However, once I get to talking to people and start identifying trends / themes, this could totally change. Always fun to be kept on my toes!
I’m already off to a great start. My little go-phone (read: burner) decided that in spite of displaying 3 bars of service that it does not want to work here in the park. Fortunately I brought my iPhone as a backup just in case, and indeed I’ll have to end up reverting to it so it seems. I’m convinced this is why flip phones died a few years ago—they’re the worst.
The little cabin here in Big Bend, lovingly referred to as K-Bar Ranch, is strictly reserved for researchers here in the park. It’s the most glamorously quaint building I’ve ever had the pleasure of residing in. Fortunately for me it has an A/C which will be a blessing come the 100F+ days in the park. However, today it has been pouring down rain from 8am-1pm. Not quite what I was expecting on my first day in the desert, but a welcome site for any water-strapped ecosystem.