Gypsy Misfortune and Being the Bigger Man

"The Case of the Gypsy Offender"
3.) It is quite apparent after reading this article the practicality and usage of anthropologists in similarly applicable every day situations. It is quite unfair and unreasonable to assume that everyone would think and act the same from across the globe. I understand their is some degree of necessity to law, however particularly in a country as diverse as our own a higher level of tolerance is required, as well as simple logic to understand that no two situations are the same. Obviously either method of going about it presents problems, but a higher degree of cultural understanding, something anthropologists can offer, would be highly beneficial and I believe necessary to truly make things just. Not implementing laws that have no room for gray scale, since everything is really a matter of ambiguity and not as simple as black or white.

"Life Without Chiefs"
1.) Harris basically explains the evolution of the headman to the big man, and then to the role of chief. We essentially started with this headman individual who gave the most and took the least, who then as a result of ego, feeling challenged by others (specifically males) who gave more at a muminai feast had to compete to give most and take least. This resulted in a competition for power of who was the bigger man. Once one could establish himself as a big man he has essentially raised himself to higher level than everyone else. In this position he had the largest surplus of food, the most wives, and eventually a monopoly of the resources. As he gained more and more he gave more too, building walls and moats to help and protect the people. After he died his son would inherit these things, establishing a sort of family bloodline predestined to rule. He had now become a chief thanks to the power and resources he had obtained and separated himself from his people and created a hierarchy. To some this makes logical sense for the evolution of humanity as a result of male ego, to others this seems tragic when juxtaposed with the present and how out of control its become, and to others it has happened necessarily due to population growth and diminishing resources, but that we will inevitably evolve beyond it.