The longing for authenticity; on an individual or collective level; connects the search for external expressions to internal orientations. What is largely referred to as production of authenticity is a reformulation of cultural values and norms within the ongoing process of modernity; impacted by globalization and contemporary transnational cultural flows. This collection interrogates the notion of authenticity from an anthropological point of view and considers authenticity in terms of how meaning is produced in and through discourses about authenticity. Incorporating case studies from four continents; the topics reach from art and colonialism to exoticism-primitivism; film; ritual and wilderness. Some contributors emphasise the dichotomy between the academic use of the term and the one deployed in public spaces and political projects. All; however; consider authenticity as something that can only be understood ethnographically; and not as a simple characteristic or category used to distinguish some behaviors; experiences or material things from other less authentic versions.
#2659233 in eBooks 2016-01-27 2016-01-27File Name: B01B4UK298
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A Must ReadBy Scott G.Not only would i recommend reading this book.. but i would recommend hiring him to train your team on how to create a long lasting video presence! Arun understands how video can help convey a candidates personality and has mastered the behind-the-scenes footage that we all want to see. While many views have been shared about the Obama Campaign the Obama Administration... this book is from a guy who was in the bubble and gave us his perspective through the camera lens every day! Its great to learn his reflections on how media consumption is changing in America as well as the stories of how he pushed to make the changes necessary to modernize how the White House would be documented from now on!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An insightful review of First Cameraman ...By Hock... in which I review Mr. Chaudharys freshman effort; marvel at him marveling about funny band names; and ultimately award the book five stars!First Cameraman is an engaging read in which each chapter opens with a quip similar to the above. The purpose is to whet the readers appetite about the content forthcoming and to key said reader into what are most likely to be the funniest bits in the chapter (even if they are in a footnote).So what is First Cameraman about? Well; not exactly what I thought it was about. I was looking forward to a series of "Behind the Music" moments about our 44th president. While there were a few of these throughout the text; that really wasnt the purpose of the book. The book is really about the history of film-making as it pertains to a political context. It speaks to what is unique about this challenge and how the present-day technology contributed to the evolution (the maturity; even) of this medium in a White House context. The author is humble but does credit himself (and his instrumental team members) with enacting this change. In fact; there isnt enough early (pre-Obama campaign) biographic information about the author and the reader is left feeling a little cheated out of background context that would have made it easier to identify with his story.Format-wise; the book contains scores of footnotes; none of which are bibliographic annotations. Rather they are most usually the anecdotes - many quite lengthy - that would be better highlighted in the text itself. I find footnotes distracting from the flow of the story but other readers may enjoy the way the notes provide a means by which to procrastinate from the main text; if only for a few moments. My advice for the sequel - no footnotes. After all; if the quantity of footnote on a given page approaches the quantity of main text on the same page ... is it really a footnote? Does the tail wag the dog?I think ultimately the book will appeal most to filmmakers; film students and history buffs. Its well-written and paints the beginning of an entrepreneurial story for burgeoning filmmakers while providing a degree of "behind the scenes" White House shenanigans that will appeal to the more casual reader. Oh; and about those funny band names ... ah; something about agriculture. Guess youll have to read it!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Finally; a glimpse into the world of presidential politics without the usual hubrisBy Charles GoudissI find it extremely refreshing to read a book about both presidential politics and the White House that isnt written with the same partisan; regurgitated formula. The author has a great sense of humor and I truly felt like a fly on the wall while reading about the events highlighted in the book. Definitely recommend this book to your friends and family!
