The Shennong’s Herbal Canon lays the foundation for the basic theory of herbal combination in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, after the Tang dynasty, the text of this book was nearly entirely lost, with only a short preface and a catalogue of 365 herbs remaining. In Interpretation of Shennong’s Herb Canon and Catalogue of Herbal Foods, molecular anthropologist Hui Li systematically elaborated on the philosophical basis and practical application by starting from the TCM perspective and integrating multi-disciplinary scientific evidence. This book provides scholars with numerous empirical and logically-based scientific hypotheses and offers insights for daily health maintenance.
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative arts has ignited a global discourse on the intersection of technology, human creativity, and artistic expression. This paper examines the rise of “AI artists” within the broader context of neuropsychology, the metacrisis, and theories of art and creativity. Drawing on Ian McGilchrist’s hemispheric theory, it explores how AI, often associated with left-hemisphere analytical dominance, can paradoxically contribute to right-hemisphere creative processes. The study evaluates the role of AI in expanding artistic boundaries, democratizing creative expression, and redefining authorship, while addressing concerns about originality, cultural significance, and the potential devaluation of human-made art. Through an anthropological and philosophical lens, the paper argues that AI does not replace human creativity but rather augments it, offering novel tools for artistic exploration. By integrating insights from cognitive science, aesthetics, and digital humanities, this article positions AI as a collaborator in artistic evolution rather than a competitor. Ultimately, there is an assertion that the human capacity for meaning-making and emotional resonance remains irreplaceable, ensuring that human creativity persists and thrives alongside AI-generated art.
The article examines how smartphones and social media are transforming human interactions, challenging traditional concepts of friendship, intimacy, and belonging. Phenomena such as “phubbing” and constant connectivity are explored, highlighting the negative impacts of hyperconnectivity on the quality of face-to-face interactions and emotional well-being. While these technologies expand the reach of connections, they often lead to more superficial relationships, altering family, educational, and professional dynamics. Anthropological analysis is emphasized as essential for understanding these changes, revealing how digital practices vary across different cultural and social contexts. Ethnographic studies and innovative methodologies are suggested to investigate how digital technologies reshape identities, communities, and social hierarchies. The importance of an interdisciplinary approach, combining anthropology, psychology, and data science, is underscored to address the emerging challenges of the digital era and foster more authentic and healthy human relationships.
