Author Archives: Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

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About Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Professor and researcher who studies science communication, particularly issues that impact American Indians. Dr. Coleman is an enrolled citizen of the Osage Nation.

Not Quite, Sherlock

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

We teach students to be critical—to look beyond the obvious. Question assumptions. Just like Sherlock Holmes, whose exploits are finding new audiences in 2013, we should look beyond the surface.

Posted in cinema, neuroscience, science, science communication | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I’m Not a Monkey

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

There’s a delicate balance between teaching and learning; between giving instruction and taking over the task. And it takes a nimble soul to figure out when to let someone falter or fail. A student sent an email recently to make … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, native american, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Revenge of the Machine

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When I read about machines that can learn, my mind flew from science to science fiction. Can machines really learn? I always thought that’s what they meant by intelligent design–that machines were programmed to respond intelligently to new stimuli.

Posted in neuroscience, science, science communication, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Defining Race

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The conversation turned to race. My talk Wednesday at the Newberry focussed on Native and scientific perspectives, particularly over Kennewick Man–the 9300-year-old skeleton discovered in the Columbia River. During the question and answer session one guest asked if Kennewick Man … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, ethics, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, native american, Native Science, news bias, repatriation, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fire in the Brain

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One life-changing moment arrived when my poor grades in science resulted in a letter home to my parents. As I confessed in a post penned weeks ago, my parents waved away my argument that girls don’t need science or math. … Continue reading →

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Science of Thought

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My days are full of epiphanies and ah-hah moments, often because I learn something new and I’m piqued. Sometimes the epiphany arrives like the UPS delivery chap who knocks on the wrong door. Like the package I can’t keep, the … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, neuroscience, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Science Censored

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Imagine you could cure a disease but the government refused to allow you to study the data. That’s what happened at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) according to the latest issue of Scientific American. The CDC … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, ethics, framing, health, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Science of Mixed Messages

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Received a thoughtful comment from a reader about the mixed messages we receive in light of Nike’s campaign to promote Oscar Pistorius as a weapon, warrior and “bullet in the chamber.” The campaign hit a concrete wall when Pistorius’ girlfriend … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, film, framing, Indian, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bullet in the Chamber

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Some poor sod is having a bad PR day. Turns out Nike’s advertising campaign featuring Oscar Pistorius likens the athlete to a bullet in the chamber. Problem is Pistorius has been accused of releasing four real bullets from the chamber … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, censorship, ethics, journalism, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Life as a Talk-Show Host

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Truth is I live much of my life as a pretend talk-show host. I admit to being a smidge off-center. Like the Seinfeld episode when Kramer’s living room transforms into the Merv Griffin set, I imagine my couch welcomes guests … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, health, journalism, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication, social media, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment