Sudhir Venkatesh takes a hands on approach to his sociology. His latest book, Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets outlines his research into street gangs and the very difficult management challenges they represent for their leaders. Long hours, employees who have trouble with authority, low pay (really), personality conflicts, and business disputes that can't be taken to binding arbitration or the courts.
Today he's posted a very interesting and thoughtful piece in Slate on Grand Theft Auto IV . It seems that Rockstar Entertainment has a more accurate portrayal of the life than most of us do, one that revolves around choosing and developing relationships in a dangerous world where being a loner can be fatal. He has a few unkind words for the government of the city of Chicago which puts him in the same corner as, oh, about nine tenths of the people who've ever lived there
It's hard to dismiss Professor Venkatesh's thoughts. He's gotten about as far into his subject as you can without actually doing prison time. His insights go beyond the pornographic (carnographic? thugographic?) caricature that NerfWorld America has of gangs and the people in them. Two Glocks up. Joe Bob says "Check it out."
Today he's posted a very interesting and thoughtful piece in Slate on Grand Theft Auto IV . It seems that Rockstar Entertainment has a more accurate portrayal of the life than most of us do, one that revolves around choosing and developing relationships in a dangerous world where being a loner can be fatal. He has a few unkind words for the government of the city of Chicago which puts him in the same corner as, oh, about nine tenths of the people who've ever lived there
It's hard to dismiss Professor Venkatesh's thoughts. He's gotten about as far into his subject as you can without actually doing prison time. His insights go beyond the pornographic (carnographic? thugographic?) caricature that NerfWorld America has of gangs and the people in them. Two Glocks up. Joe Bob says "Check it out."
