E-Book Overview
Throughout history, the weather has been both feared and revered for its powerful influence over living creatures. Not only does it control our moods, activities, and fashions, but it has also played a crucial role in broader issues of cultural identity, concepts of time, and economic development. In fact, the weather has become so ingrained in our everyday routines that many of us forget just how profoundly this omnipotent force shapes culture. With the continuing rise in global warming and consequential change in weather patterns, our awareness and understanding of this topic has never been so important. This fascinating book is the first to explore our close relationship with the weather. From folklore to visual representations, agricultural and health practices, and unusual weather events, Weather, Climate, Culture demonstrates that the way we discuss and interpret meteorological phenomena concerns not only the events in question but, more complexly, the cultural, political, and historical framework in which we discuss them. Why is it politically safe to discuss current weather conditions, but highly controversial to discuss long-term climate change? Why are the British renowned for talking about the weather and why, in the eighteenth century, was this regarded as genteel? How can accounts of cultural or moral change be associated with narratives of changing climate and vice-versa?Drawing on a wide range of case studies from around the world, this pioneering book provides an original and lively perspective on a subject that continues to have an incalculable impact on the way we live. It will serve as a landmark text for years to come.
E-Book Content
Weather, Climate, Culture
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Weather, Climate, Culture
Edited by Sarah Strauss and Ben Orlove
Oxford • New York
First published in 2003 by Berg Editorial offices: 1st Floor, Angel Court, 81 St Clements Street, Oxford, OX4 1AW, UK 838 Broadway, Third Floor, New York, NY 10003-4812, USA © Sarah Strauss and Ben Orlove 2003 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of Berg.
Berg is an imprint of Oxford International Publishers Ltd.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Weather, climate, culture / edited by Sarah Strauss and Ben Orlove. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-85973-692-0 (HB) — ISBN 1-85973-697-1 (PB) 1. Human beings—Effect of climate on. 2. Human beings—Effect of environment on. 3. Weather—Social aspects. 4. Weather—Folklore. 5. Climatic changes. I. Strauss, Sarah. II. Orlove, Benjamin S. GF71.W43 2003 304.2'5—dc22 2003018968
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 1 85973 692 0 (Cloth) ISBN 1 85973 697 1 (Paper)
Typeset by JS Typesetting Ltd, Wellingborough, Northants. Printed in the United Kingdom by Biddles Ltd, Guildford and King’s Lynn.
www.bergpublishers.com
To Rory and Lia, to Jacob, Hannah and Raphael, our children, who have run with the wind, splashed in puddles, and played in the snow; and to the glaciers, melting in the sun, that they have seen on long walks in the mountains, we dedicate this book and our efforts.
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Contents Acknowledgements
ix
List of Figures
xi
List of Tables
xiii
Notes on Contributors
xv
INTRODUCTION 1
Up in the Air: The Anthropology of Weather and Climate Sarah Strauss and Ben Orlove
3
DAYS 2
3
4
5
6
Time, Talk, and the Weather in Eighteenth-Century Britain Jan Golinski
17
Weather Wise: Speak