The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning "to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. Different definitions of "culture" reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. Anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically. This capacity is long been taken as a defining feature of the genus Homo. However, primatologists such as Jane Goodall have identified aspects of culture among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.Goodall, J. 1986. The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior.

Defining "culture"

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Americas - International Herald Tribune

America's eco-kids keep a keen eye on their parents
By LISA W. FODERARO Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:32:30 -0000
A growing army of American children steeped in environmentalism - a pint-size eco-police, whose demands grow ever greater, and more expensive - are trying to hold their perplexed parents accountable.
Native American tribes see profit in wind power
By Felicity Barringer Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:56:07 -0000
Native American tribes in South Dakota are hoping to build turbine farms, to take advantage of some of the country's strongest and most reliable winds.
Connecticut high court rules same-sex couples can marry
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:32:30 -0000
Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday that same-sex couples have the right to marry, making that state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions.
McCain attacks Obama for supposed ties to '60s radical
By JIM RUTENBERG AND JULIE BOSMAN Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:32:30 -0000
Senator John McCain has attacked Senator Barack Obama for his supposed ties to the 1960s radical William Ayers, and is releasing an ad accusing the Democrat of lying.
Palin and aides pressed for trooper's removal
By Serge F. Kovaleski Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:13:58 -0000
Alaska's former public safety commissioner was contacted three dozen times by Governor Sarah Palin, her husband and seven administration officials about the status of one of his troopers, interviews and documents show.
Fictitious donors found in campaign finance records
By Michael Luo and Griff Palmer Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:47:23 -0000
Some dubious donations raise concerns about whether the Obama campaign can adequately vet online donors.

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