First "Writers" of South America

Here's the general archaeological consensus:

• Quipus, the oldest dated around 5,000 years ago and found in northern Peru, are believed to be the first form of record-keeping in South America. This system rivals Mesopotamian cuneiform in terms of age.

• This complex system was capable of recording populations, economic imports/exports, harvest sizes, taxes, etc.
• Quipucamayocs were older men in the society employed to decipher and create these records. By learning the language of the colored strings with various knots and lengths, they served as both historians and accountants. 
• When applicable, the strings themselves were color-coded according to the object it represented (yellow strings for gold, red strings for warriors, etc.). Otherwise, subjects and items were grouped by string lengths or distinctive knots. 

Being so far removed from this mode of "writing," I find it hard to even imagine how this type of medium would shape a civilization's worldview. If there's anybody out there willing to put in some deep contemplation on the subject, I'd love to hear your opinions. 

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Why I've Never Started a Blog

Too much pressure.

For me, the writing process is a burden. Even if the piece is intended for a well-known audience - a professor, a girl, a family member - the possibility of misinterpretation exists. And, after reading my thoughts, they could laugh at me. You never know.

That's why every word is of vital importance. I'm forced to give myself deadlines when they're not already stipulated. Otherwise, I'll continue to revise and keep my work a secret forever. This is for a known audience; when it comes to blogging, and potentially allowing a multitude of strangers access to my private mental space, the pressure multiplies.

But it's not just pressure I place on myself as a writer. I'm a critical reader as well. I've been reserved about embracing this "web 2.0" phenomenon (if that's the classification that Facebook, Twitter, and the infinite number of blogs fall under) because I don't believe that everyone capable of using a keyboard has something worthwhile to post. So when it comes to creating a blog entry, the burden of presenting something fresh and stimulating at times leaves me with debilitating writer's block.  Add the fact that my anthropology professor, responsible for assigning this blog, cautioned that my entries will be scrutinized by potential employers, and there you have a recipe for the perfect blank page.

Yet there are many positives to this new medium. For one, starting a blog has inspired extracurricular research, just to ensure I contribute something interesting and view-worthy to the "blogosphere." This particular site will be dedicated to promoting the scientific research of entheogens, or hallucinogenic substances used for sacramental, spiritual, religious, and medicinal purposes. I believe this emerging field of study will provide the key to understanding the way our minds communicate with the natural world.

At some point I would also like to incorporate cultural differences/similarities of sexual practices, given that I can do this without overextending myself and without risking coherency.

It's both a terrifying and exciting endeavor.

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