Category Archives: human origin

Science, TV and Authenticity

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

This past week scholars gathered in Chicago to share their research and insights into mass communication. I walk along a thin line between science and culture, hanging with folks who study science in one corner of the universe, and spending … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, human origin, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged | 1 Comment

Can You Prove You’re Indian?

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

>My editors want me to add a chapter to my book on the topic of American Indian identity. Identity holds loads of currency. Seems folks find identity resonant. But imagine writing a chapter on, say African American identity, or how … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, human origin, Indian, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Exterminating Indian Identity

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Soon I will be bound for Phoenix to present a paper on American Indian identity and authenticity: a topic of keen interest. Critics often complain about Indian stereotypes, ranging from the issues surrounding sports mascots to non-Indians playing Native roles … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, ethics, film, human origin, Kennewick Man, Native Science, repatriation, science, writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Indigenous Science Recognized

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Wonderful to see a series of talks on Indigenous perspectives included on the program for the February AAAS meeting. The group—the Association for the Advancement of Science—is dedicated to advancing the discipline and publishes the prestigious journal Science.

Posted in authenticity, human origin, Indian, Native Science, science communication, writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Republican Brain, the Indian Brain

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

An intriguing talk at a recent conference I attended discussed the Republican Brain. Seems that scientists have been studying how people respond to different scenarios and then measure their responses, both on a written questionnaire and by looking at brain … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, human origin, Indian, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Authenticity and Identity

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One of the key aspects of the political debates surrounding Kennewick Man invokes Indian authenticity, particularly in light that some (not all) anthropologists judged the 9,400-year-old skeleton as Caucasoid, a term that quickly transformed in media coverage as “Caucasian.”

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Science on the Edge of her Seat

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I advise students on research methods, which often puts me in a tenuous position. My job is to ensure that students learn methods by-the-book but the reality is that researchers tug and pull at methods, adapting and adjusting to circumstances. … Continue reading →

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Kennewick Man Exterminated

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Folks who study mass media and popular culture can’t help but consider the absurdity of how we interpret phenomena, often through the lens of media. Some theorists call this intertextuality–when one representation stands for another. An example is one of … Continue reading →

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Explaining Native Science

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Spending stolen moments writing a research grant in Native Science is a little crazy-making. The grant is aimed at folks sequestered in the humanities. Problem is, I’m a social scientist.

Posted in authenticity, film, human origin, Indian, journalism, Native Science, risk, science, science communication, social media, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Doogie Howser Mice

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

While researching how discourse frames designer babies, I found an apt example of a literal designer baby: twins, in fact. The fashion maven and darling of designers, Sarah Jessica Parker, and husband Matthew Broderick, had twin girls via a surrogate, … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, health, human origin, risk, science, science communication | Tagged , , | 1 Comment