tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post4524739137777285339..comments2023-10-19T23:31:13.746-07:00Comments on Field Notes from an Evolutionary Psychologist: Blood DiamondField Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18372584643389870376noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-69287522172800216302006-12-21T12:52:00.000-08:002006-12-21T12:52:00.000-08:00Diamonds are actually about as scarce as gravel-- ...Diamonds are actually about as scarce as gravel-- the geologic conditions that form them are very common. <br /><br />Emeralds, on the other hand, are rare-- it takes a very specific and unusual set of geologic conditions to form them (I read this in a National Geographic article about Emeralds). <br /><br />The rarity-- and high cost-- of diamonds was a consequence of the Debeer's cartel keeping them artificially scarce. This is breaking up as diamonds are mined in places like Russia and Canada.Johnny Yenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06561248220244037567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-7472841709068800832006-12-21T11:15:00.000-08:002006-12-21T11:15:00.000-08:00I know something cool about diamonds... they are g...I know something cool about diamonds... they are great conductors. Anytime I need to escape from an ice prison, I just use my earring to (slowly) work my way free. :)<br /><br />Look, in today's age of "synthetic" gems made in laboratories, you can have a diamond or sapphire or whatever without the mining problem. The mining companies, of course, try to convince people that "real" diamonds are better, but that's hogwash. <br /><br />It seems to me that if people want to provide a deeply symbolic (aka deeply expensive) sign of betrothal and marriage, they'd be better off working with a jeweler who would handcraft a one-of-a-kind item and could - like the organic farmer - vouch for the provenance of the materials involved. Antiques are nice, too!<br /><br />But nobody tells you that when you're 24 and trying to impress the hot girl...Alasdairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15289004474066548692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-7392492291196612082006-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:002006-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:00Yay, you're blogging:-) I didn't know anything abo...Yay, you're blogging:-) I didn't know anything about diamonds when I was engaged. I know a little more now. Funny thing is that I'll bet most women would rather have something else, but we Americans somehow establish consumerism that sticks forever! I used to live in Spain. For three years, I had no consumerism at Christmas time. When I came back to the states, it actually overwhelmed me. I still don't like it. I love Christmas Eve and midnight services. I love singing the carols, but I don't want it all in my face to push the "buy, buy, buy" mentality. The same with diamonds. I think we Americans have been taught by our media to be lemmings. We need to learn to think for ourselves and not follow the crowd or be swayed by advertising. Then, we need to say no to our children and monitor all the junk being focused at them. Help our children and ourselves become more critical of the message the way a scientist is taught to be skeptical of process and results. <br />Angie<br />PS How about a post or two on critical communication skills? How could a person break down media/news messages to question the content and the manipulative power? That would be really interesting. Then another on how to discover when the public is being manipulated by the press. (For instance the CNN issue of anti-American newscasts everywhere else spinning news differently on the same stories shown outside the U.S.) Could be interesting stuff.AngBreidenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193337694193623903noreply@blogger.com