I happened across an ethnography!
Its about 330 a.m. and im watching tv. Im enthralledwith a movie called Street Thief. When i took a step back, i realized that im watching an ethnography on the lives of thieves and i had no idea! One man with a camera films as another man and his partner explain their emotions, strategies and stories. I wonder how this one camera man can be apart of this filming. Wouldnt that be considered illegal? No matter, he also interviews one inmate that was given 3 years for commercial burglary. (whatever that means…) I believe, however, that this ethnographer is waaaay too into his research and has jumped the fine line between observer and participant. I feel fortunate that my ethnography report wont get me arrested. This show and how it was filmed is EXTREMELY interesting and i imagine that i will stay up the remained of my night watching it. I am very much enjoying this interviewing type of learning.
May 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Part ethical issue, part “gone native” case.
It might be one difference between ethnographers and people using ethnographic methods: we keep reflecting on these issues and conceive of ehtnography as a broad approach, not as a series of methods or techniques.
Not only is it unlikely that your ethnographic activities will land you in jail but it sounds like you may help others understand the value of ethnography’s big questions.