I'm not actually expecting anybody here to help with those two questions, even though you are about the most intelligent peoples I've ever encountered. I actually want to ask for help with questions about the questions. Did that make sense? Didn't think so. Regardless, kindly look upon the following two paragraphs as rhetorical questions (but if you want to take a bash at giving answers, please have at it) and look to the final two paragraphs as the ones where I'm actually seeking help.

Question one relates to the enemy within: is there an inherent us vs them dichotomy within the human mind, and does this make war and conflict inevitable? A young Norwegian woman I met on a train in Denmark 20-odd years ago said no, that she had no enemy inside her mind. If I am to believe her, she is either the exception that proves the rule or the exception that invalidates it. Then again, she was with an American who was trying to get me to join the Nichiren Buddhists, so maybe her testimony is a little tainted.

The other question regards the history of human migration. What really fascinates me are the periodic explosions of migration that have occurred over the millennia, most usually from east Asia, but also from central Asia and northern Europe ("Bloody Vikings!") One would assume that these were the results of agricultural surpluses suddenly vanishing, leading to famines and mass migrations. But I don't know and I'm not absolutely sure that anybody does.

So the question I'm seeking help with about these questions is straightforward: what the hell academic disciplines am I talking about? In the first case, there's international relations, psychology, and brain physiology just for a start while for the second there's history, archaeology, geography, maybe a bit of biology for DNA studies, a little comparative linguistics, and uh, probably more than I want to know about the history of agriculture. I know that undergrads can design their own majors and put together interdisciplinary studies degrees, but I already have two diplomas and would probably be in a Ph.D type situation.

Orrrrrrr does anybody have any suggestions for how to become a professional perpetual student? Hell, I'm 45 years old already; I'd rather be a professional researcher rather than try to get the degree then fit in research with teaching and other responsibilities. Also as my two research interests bridge a few dozen disciplines I'd be out of luck unless I just call it anthropology or sociology or hang it and teach high school social studies. Obviously my thoughts are in flux at this time, but any suggestions would be welcome, and you have my thanks in advance.