The Tablet Computer and the Native Girl

This wacky Taiwanese computer ad features a Westerner with a tablet computer encountering Aborigines in Taiwan’s forest. My students pointed out that the Aborigines are wearing Tzou inspired outfits, dancing Amis dances, and living in Paiwan houses. But somehow they didn’t think it was strange that the Aborigines are living in the past, while the Westerner has a fancy computer. (And I’m not even getting into the strange sexual narrative.) In fact, my guess is that Taiwan’s Aborigines have more computers and cell phones than your average town in rural America.

Via Wandering to Tamshui, who also has a nice post on the surprising economics of “spirit money” in Taiwan.

P. Kerim Friedman is an assistant professor in the Department of Ethnic Relations and Cultures at National Dong Hwa University, in Taiwan, where he teaches linguistic and visual anthropology. He is co-director of the film Please Don't Beat Me, Sir!, winner of the 2011 Jean Rouch Award from the Society of Visual Anthropology. Follow Kerim on Twitter.