On anthropology and the internet (discussion and criticism)

The Internet as a topic has taken over our professional lives as much as the Internet as a reality. Its application to anthropology deserves a timely and thorough exploration. The article on it by Brian Schwimmer (CA 37:561-68) is dated December 1995, and in the absence of information on how recently the research was con- ducted it is difficult to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information that is presented. It is unclear, furthermore, whether Schwimmer worked from printed resources (which are not cited) or searched the Internet directly. If the latter, it would be helpful to know whether he used a web-search engine or examined Internet sites that select and point to other sites. He criticizes the American Anthropological Association and the Human Relations Area Files for not taking advantage of the Internet, but he does not say whether he surveyed organizations or institutions as to their intentions to do so. From personal communication with a staff member at the HRAF I have learned that this organization was never consulted about its plans.