- Optimistic Anthropology
- Posts
- The Optimistic Anthropologist Volume 24
The Optimistic Anthropologist Volume 24
A Hat Full of Sky
OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 24
Dear ,
Over the two years that I've been running Optimistic Anthropology and writing this newsletter, you might have gathered that I'm a big fan of Halloween! While
, for me, Halloween is filled with
joy
and
humanity
,
and always sparks some
curiosity
. (Like when I have to ask "who are you dressed as?") Just add in some
rigor
- say a map of the households handing out the best candy - and you've hit upon Optimistic Anthropology's four core values!
So, it seems fitting to roll out Optimistic Anthropology's new look, which were inspired by those values, on Halloween! The wonderful, Maryland-based multidisciplinary designer
developed OA's new look through a process that felt very in line with our own
which emphasizes
and
. It was just a bonus that the color palette is an ode to the
, a place I've spent a lot of time with my family.
While I saw the Arizona desert, others had different interpretations. My brilliant friend,
, looked at the logo and said "it's kind of like a wizard's hat." Which I love because collaboration and learning is like wizarding -- it requires a bit of magic, which is a mix of art and science.
When I mentioned this to another friend,
, he told me that there's a young adult novel by Terry Pratchett called
. He shared that one of the meanings of the book's title is "a hat full of infinite possibilities, as wide and as tall as the sky." He then asked me, "What is optimism other than that?"
Having heard such amazing interpretations of the logo, it only seemed fitting to dress up as a witch for Halloween! And if you have a different interpretation of OA's new logo and look, please share! Maybe it will inspire next year's Halloween costume!
Wishing you a month ahead that's a hat full of sky!Alison
P.S.
I will be traveling in the San Francisco Bay Area December 4-12. If you're interested in meeting up,
!
P.P.S.
OA is planning for 2020! If you work with an organization or cross-sector collaboration that wants a collaborator on qualitative research and/or "learning into" solutions to complex problems,
LATEST
NEW AND IMPROVED OA WEBSITE!
RESOURCES ON LEARNING & COLLABORATION
on these topics.
Now you can find them all in one place.
RIGHT PEOPLE ON THE BUS - OCTOBER 2019
Our monthly round-up of job, consulting, and fully-funded fellowship and accelerator opportunities that people connected to Optimistic Anthropology are recruiting for.
VOLUNTEER WITH YOUTH ACTIVISTS VISITING DC!
The
is led by youth activists in the SF Bay Area who are creating a visual representation of the
immigrant children who have been or are currently in US detention. For Universal Children's Day, 30 activists are coming to DC and creating a display of 15,000 butterflies on the Hill.
POPULAR LAST MONTH
Connect with Optimistic Anthropology
Reply