Hello Alan,
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I've been in Solo over the last couple of months, and have been in contact with a different collecting environment than the one which applies to many of the contributors to discussion in this Forum.
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I'd suggest that already on Java there are several kinds of collecting environments (e. g. kraton "vs." mere mortals, central Jawa "vs." Jakarta, etc.).
I'm going to give a short response on my personal point of view and hope to get back later for more general discussion.
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Q1.
does knowledge of the society, culture and history from which a collected item come enhance the pursuit of collecting those items?
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For me personally, it does. However, only to a certain point (see below).
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Q2.
if the response to Q1. is "yes, it does", is it a reasonable expectation that the majority of collectors would attempt to improve their knowledge in these areas ?
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I am certainly trying to do so; life with all its mundane tasks as well as distractions keeps getting in the way though...
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Q3.
if the response to Q1. is "no, it does not", can the reasons why it does not be identified ?
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In my very modest research, I am additionally trying an advocatus diaboli approach, too: only focusing on extant artifacts and intentionally ignoring any cultural "baggage" is IMHO a complimentary approach which can help to cross-examine supposed "facts" by pointing to areas of possible conflict between "culture" and "science" which need further attention.
Regards,
Kai