It's surprising that Diamond, with years of experience studying birds
in PNG, and supposedly interacting with locals, had not encountered
many obvious tall tales.
Best,
Michael
On May 14, 2009, at 2:40 PM, herb fox wrote:
> As an amateur with a passing long ago acquaintance with
> anthropological films on PNG, i recall massive but modestly armed
> confrontations in which almost no one loses his life. Then ever
> expanding tales of fierce fighting and multiple deaths. I am
> inclined to believe that the arrogant Jared Diamond got suckered.
> The telling of tall tales by pre-modern people is apparently rather
> common. The tales become more elaborate the greater the listener's
> interest. Such great, vivid and captivating entertainment is poorly
> replaced today by tv. Judging by how Ronald Reagan's story telling
> was widely accepted as truth, i am not surprised that J.D. got
> suckered. Why can't these wonderfully creative tellers of tall
> tales be included in such contests as the Pullitzer Prize.
> In the interest of full disclosure, i have an animus toward J. D.
> based on reading his creative writing.
> herb
>
> Michael Balter wrote:
>> I hope list members will be able to read my story along with
>> Rhonda's account, as it has many quotes from Jared Diamond and
>> David Remnick giving their side of the story. It is important to
>> know what they are saying whether or not one agrees with it.
>>
>> MB
>>
>> On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 12:09 PM, Phil Gasper
>> <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>>
>> Rhonda Shearer's critique of Diamond's New Yorker article is here:
>> http://www.stinkyjournalism.org/latest-journalism-news-updates-149.php
>> .
>>
>>
>> On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 1:13 PM, Michael Balter
>> <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>> wrote:
>>
>> http://michael-balter.blogspot.com/2009/05/vengeance-bites-back-at-jared-diamond.html
>>
>> Here is a link that might be of interest to list members.
>>
>> best, Michael
>>
>> -- ******************************************
>> Michael Balter
>> Contributing Correspondent, Science
>> Adjunct Professor of Journalism,
>> Boston University
>>
>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> Website: michaelbalter.com <http://michaelbalter.com>
>> Balter's Blog: michael-balter.blogspot.com
>> <http://michael-balter.blogspot.com>
>> ******************************************
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> ******************************************
>> Michael Balter
>> Contributing Correspondent, Science
>> Adjunct Professor of Journalism,
>> Boston University
>>
>> Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]
>> >
>>
>> Website: michaelbalter.com <http://michaelbalter.com>
>> Balter's Blog: michael-balter.blogspot.com <http://michael-balter.blogspot.com
>> >
>> ******************************************
>
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