Two excellent programs on LINK TV. Ethnobotany, and ME Election effects

[Kanary]

Currently, I'm watching a very interesting program, which included a compound found to "blow HIV out of the testtube":
The Shaman's Apprentice
Length: 01:00 Type of program: Documentary
Broadcast Times
Saturday, August 7 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 8 5:00 AM
Sunday, August 8 11:00 AM


An inspiring film about the work of leading ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin in the depths of the Amazon rain forest, and his efforts to save the dying traditions of the Shamanic healers. With a dearth of young tribal members willing to train as Shamans, ancient rainforests being cut down, and exotic plants nearing extinction, Plotkin is racing against time. As apprentice to a Shaman in one of the most isolated Amazon villages in Suriname, Plotkin has taken on the massive task of translating the Shaman’s wisdom into an encyclopedia that will both preserve this little known tradition, and benefit the future of both the local people and Western medicine.

Also coming up:

Election '04 - The Middle East Factor
A special Mosaic report that examines how the war in Iraq is changing the debate in the November elections. What was once an election about health care and jobs, has become to a great extent a question of “Who can make us safer?” Guests include Hafez Al-Mirazi, Washington bureau chief for Al Jazeera, Mark Danner, Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley, and Jamal Dajani, Director of Middle Eastern Programming for Link TV.

[hatrack]

1. Ever read anything by Wade Davis?

Very interesting ethnobotanist. He was the guy on whose experiences "The Serpent and the Rainbow" was loosely (and cheesily) based. I've heard him on NPR a few times, and he's one of the best guests they've ever had.

If you're enjoying the Plotkin presentation, you'd like Davis.

[Kanary]

2. Thanks for the recommendation.......

Memory shot...... can't remember the author of a good enthnobotany book I read a number of years ago, about the Arizona area desert.

It's a subject of great interest, and certainly depicts what we're losing with chopping down all the rainforest.

Kanary

[Kali]

3. Gary Paul Nabhan?

or Carlos CastenedaB-)

[Kanary]

6. Ah, yes.... Nabhan...... and the beans...... ^_^

So interesting, and hopeful, that the native beans were very effective in reducing the incidence of diabetes in the Native American population. (Same group who sang the National Anthem at the convention -- Tohono Odom.)

Glad someone here has a memory....... :hi:

Kanary

[hatrack]

4. Davis had a really interesting take on the Enlightenment & French Rev.

He attributed everything to three plants - coffee, tea and cocoa.

No, seriously. With generalized availability of these three beverages, more people than ever before (by, say, 1750 or so) were drinking purified - i.e. boiled - water, likely prompting a drop in mortality & morbidity from waterborne diseases.

In addition, not just more people thanks to improved survival from cleaner water, but more people who - in Davis's words - just can't . . . shut . . . up, thanks to the caffeine. And it's in bizarre blizzards of words by people who can't stop talking that wild philosophical ideas about liberty, equality and fraternity get launched.

A tongue-in-cheek, funny and very enjoyable look at history.

[Kanary]

7. OK..... you have me hooked. ^_^

That really does sound not only interesting, but enjoyable.

I'll suggest this to my elderly friend, also. I think this is something he'd like.

I hope it's on tape...... he's legally blind, and relies on audio books.

Thanks!

Kanary

[Kanary]

8. ohhhh, lookeee what I found at my library.....

The Spirit of the mask videorecording / Gryphon Productions ; produced and directed by Peter von Puttkamer ; written by Peter von Puttkamer with Wade Davis.

Performer(s) Host/narrator, Wade Davis.
Summary This documentary explores the spiritual and psychological powers of the masks used by Northwest Coast native peoples. It features dramatic, rarely-seen ceremonies as well as commentary by important Indian spiritual leaders, and relates how these traditions were historically repressed by Christian Europeans. The program also considers the role of masks in other cultures and examines the meaning of tribal art both to indigenous cultures and to the contemporary West.

Looks great, and it's available!

Thanks...... I'm still searching..... do you remember the name of the one about the "beverages"?

Kanary

[hatrack]

9. This was actually an NPR broadcast - maybe in 2001 or 2002

It was either Terri Gross or ATC - you might have better luck searching the NPR homepage than rattling through my rusty memory.
;-)

[Kanary]

10. ummm, which one was NPR.... the video I found, or the one with

your references to beverages? :)

I'm easily confuddled........

Found references to Davis on the NPR page, but nothing about "beverages"....... think I may need a librarian for this one. :)

It *did* lead me to his webpage, for which I need another browser..... sigh.....

Thanks..... you've opened my world for me a bit. :hi:

Kanary

[markses]

5. I'm fascinated by the field of ethnomycology, especially Gordon Wasson's

work.

Ethnobotany and ethnomycology are very interesting.

[Kanary]

11. welll, poop..... my library only has his non-mycological books :-/

I read his biography, and he sounds like a brilliant person.

I hope you are able to see the LinkTV program I posted...... it's very interesting.

Kanary