Imagined Anthropological Communities (that’s right: another post about publishing & open access)

"Benedict Anderson’s* classic text “Imagined Communities” happens to be a pretty fascinating book to read while thinking about academia, communication, open access, publishing, and the formation of community. Anderson’s argument is that print capitalism provided a critical medium that facilitated the production of national identities.... What borders surround these imagined anthropological communities? What allows people in, and what keeps them out? More importantly, what purpose is served by these borders and boundaries, and why are they upheld? Our use of media (print, visual, etc) is one key factor, and this is why I am so fascinated by the recent discussions about open access and publishing in anthropology..."