Category Archives: science communication

Jumping Frenchmen and Science

I live with a fellow scientist and we share a gallows sense of humor. Gallows as in scaffold for the hangman. This comes in handy as we prepare for autumn’s arrival and a spooky Halloween. The prankster in me allows … Continue reading

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When Indians are invisible in science

When are American Indians invisible? As a critic of mass media and Indian representations, I am mindful of the gross caricatures that persist. Pocahontas. Chief Wahoo. The Land O’Lakes butter maiden. These are memorable images of Indians.

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Science, TV and Authenticity

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

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How the Press Covered the Sea Lion Controversy in Indian Country

Next week we present results of our study at a national conference in Chicago, sharing details of how the press covered the salmon and sea lion conflict at the Columbia River. Local Indians have a great stake in the salmon … Continue reading

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Salmon and Sea Lions Face Off

Native Americans are keenly interested in science. Just ask an Indian fisherman. Here in the Pacific Northwest, tribal fishermen have been embroiled in a controversy over salmon. The most recent tempest has pitted salmon against encroaching sea lions, who feast … Continue reading

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When Science Meets Superstition

We can’t help but be a tad superstitious when it comes to our well-being. Including me. Human nature lets us take credit when good things come our way: we think we somehow deserve it. But when bad juju befalls us, … Continue reading

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The End of Science

Is it the end of science as we know it? You might get that impression if you read through the sheaf of articles following the discovery in July of the Higgs Boson. After learning Higgs Boson wasn’t a wayward sailor … Continue reading

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Can You Prove You’re Indian?

>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

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When Science is Exclusive

I did a quick double-take while researching a chapter for my book on science and culture. It’s like those visual double-take games in magazines, when they put two pictures side by side and you’re supposed to find the discrepancies from … Continue reading

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Home is Where the Heart is

Responses to my conversations about place yielded comments from friends about home being where you find your heart. When I read Native scholars like Vine Deloria Jr. I am struck by his thoughts that culture—“behavior, beliefs, values and symbols” quite … Continue reading

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