Anthro 130

10/14/18
Discussion Points #2
Ortner (2006): “Introduction: Updating Practice Theory”
In her introduction to the book ​Anthropology and Social Theory​, Sherry Ortner talks
about three theories whose similarities included the idea that human behavior was largely
determined by outside cultural forces. She also stated that practice theory provided solutions to
problems that arose as early as with functionalism. The three major areas that Ortner cited for
having new work were the power of shift, the historic turn, and the reinterpretation of culture.
Ortner states that the most compelling theory is practice theory, stating that it is about the
production of social subjects and the world through practice.
Bourdieu (1984 [1979]): Introduction
In the introduction of his book “Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of
Taste,” Pierre Bourdieu states that cultural needs are highly dependent upon upbringing and
education. In addition, preferences in cultural practices such as literature, art, and music are
linked to education and social origin. This shows that culture has titles of nobility, however,
Bourdieu warns against this idea. He states that the disapproval of supposedly lower cultural
tastes and therefore their culture implies that one’s tastes and culture is superior, which is a
completely incorrect idea.
Grief (2010): “The Hipster in the Mirror”
In his article “The Hipster in the Mirror,” Mark Grief talks about Pierre Bourdieu’s idea
of the social critique of taste and relates it to his study of contemporary hipsters. He also talks
about the stigma that surrounds the label of hipster, as being called one is apparently an insult but
those that use the word to insult others are often hipsters themselves. Grief talks about Bourdieu
and his life’s work of disproving the powerful people’s idea that they were more deserving of
wealth and authority than others. Grief relates Bourdieu’s ideas to his own by showing how the
different types of hipsters conflict for social dominance through culture.