The impetus for the SAS was the rejection of several symposia from the annual meeting of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) in fall 2002. An Internet discussion arose, facilitated by the creation of the anthro-science listserve (anthro-sciences@jiscmail.ac.uk). The discussion focused on the dissatisfaction felt by many colleagues with the anti-science bias of much contemporary anthropology. The participants decided to organize a ?Salon des Refuses?* (http://hcs.ucla.edu/new-orleans-2002/) to initiate the creation of a new society whose focus would be on scientific work. The nature and function of the SAS was discussed at an open meeting in New Orleans, Saturday November 23, 2002 (Photos and Report).
The original Salon des Refuses occurred in Paris in 1863 when a group of artists organized their own show after being rejected by the official Academy Salon.
