Cosmopolitan Canopy

I agree with Anderson's "cosmopolitan canopy" idea of being important. We discussed several of these ideas and concepts in class today. I agree because I think that to truly understand a culture you have to be comfortable to ask the important questions about the culture. Also in a "cosmopolitan canopy" a person will observe in three different ways, as impersonal or threatening, neutral or intimate.  While observing a culture a person will probably deal with all of these scenarios.  

In Anderson's conclusion he is very careful about his use of vocabulary, as we discussed in class. Our professor brought up that in Anderson's conclusion he says "This kind of  exposure to a multitude of people engaging in everyday behavior often humanizes abstract strangers in the minds of these observers." from the article "Cosmopolitan Canopy".  During class we discussed the word "exposed". I brought up the idea of how the word exposed has a connotation of being vulnerable. I think that the idea of being vulnerable is key to learning about other cultures. To truly understand a culture you have to open yourself up others to create a level of trust so that they will open up to you. Also the place where you would be vulnerable is under the "cosmopolitan canopy".