MetaChat - AskMecha: Academic disciplines dealing with alien anthropology

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10 October 2008

AskMecha: Academic disciplines dealing with alien anthropology Ok, this is bizarre, but I could swear I've seen an academic discipline that deals with the anthropology of alien cultures--what "people" from other planets might be like. Xeno-anthropology? →[More:]
Did I just read this in a science fiction novel and now it's become a false memory?

post by: craniac at: 14:38 | 4 comments

Ah, Extraterrestrial anthropology is getting some hits.

posted by craniac 10 October | 14:43

Exobiology or xenology?

posted by TheophileEscargot 10 October | 15:23

An actual academic discipline? Uh, what do they study?

I can imagine it discussed in sf-type circles as a hobby and given a fancy name, but outside of extracurricular courses, I can't imagine teaching anyone anything about it. Beyond broad and horribly sample-biased assumptions, that is.

* The Drake equation is academically interesting, at least in terms of examining one's assumptions
* Exobiology is a term originated by Carl Sagan; astrobiology is something actually practiced by NASA scientists

posted by stilicho 10 October | 15:47

I bet you're thinking of Speaker for the Dead.

posted by ROU Xenophobe 10 October | 17:19

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