Category Archives: writing

When individual choice causes harm

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Vaccine lunacy is the way Frank Bruni described a recent outbreak of measles in California: why? Parents decided to withhold vaccinations from their children. Children are taken ill with a disease that was once wiped from our memories–a disease that … Continue reading →

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Missing truths

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

As a kid growing up in Southern California (we moved overseas when I was 10) we visited missions that dot the west, built by Spanish priests centuries ago. I remember the missions reverently: made of adobe and tile that cooled … Continue reading →

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The problem with science communication

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The problem with science communication is that its essence is tethered to the premise that people are rational and want to make rational choices. In fact, our communication is based on the premise that if you provide people with the … Continue reading →

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But is it science?

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The movement among scholars of science communication—non-Indian and Indians alike—has been to elevate Native science to the same level as Western science. Like Laurie Anderson’s song, typically science is considered Big Science. Science with a capital S. Native science, on … Continue reading →

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Yes, but is it significant?

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Whenever you write a grant or ask for a promotion in an academic setting, you’re required to justify the significance of your research. Problem is, most of us are so embroiled in our work that we don’t question it: we … Continue reading →

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Transparent worlds, murky words

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My sweetheart and I started a new tradition during our travels by taking in the work of local artists. A few years ago, our Turkish friends urged us to visit the Istanbul Modern, where we saw splendid work of regional … Continue reading →

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Something about Jersey

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When we travel my husband and I like to pick out the accents and guess homelands of strangers. We can ferret out Dutch in a snap (we’ve both spent time in Holland) and Brits and Aussies are easy to identify. … Continue reading →

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Clearspeak

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Most folks shake their heads and slowly walk away when I begin complaining about poor writing. Folks agree, but shrug their shoulders. Not worth their time. My Old School ways are woven through my core, thanks to feisty newsmen and … Continue reading →

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Part 2: Packing values into value

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The card on the snack bar announced our local grocery store’s campaign to link values with value. So I tried to untangle the meanings beneath value and values. Value means you get your dollar’s worth. But what do values mean … Continue reading →

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Synecdoche Moms

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Remember the Mom Jeans fauxmercial on Saturday Night Live? In case you missed it, the clip shows a clutch of women wearing elastic-waisted blue jeans necessary for the woman who needs some give in her tummy and derriere. The poochy … Continue reading →

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