Science as a verb

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery
Grand Canyon petroglyph

Grand Canyon petroglyph

When I looked into how the news stories were framed over the Havasupai case, I learned that science is used as a verb.

Sciencing—an ersatz verb—means to science, I argue.

Here’s an example: in the Havasupai case, the Indians of the Southwest willingly gave researchers their blood so that scientists could explore factors that contribute to diseases such as diabetes.

But it turns out that the blood samples were used to examine a raft of issues—some which the tribe found objectionable, such as their place of origin. Continue reading →

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But is it science?

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

LaurieAnderson_BigScience
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 the other hand, is removed several steps from the hierarchy, a lonely cousin on a lower branch of empirical knowledge. Continue reading →

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Yes, but is it significant?

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

wordl science

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 don’t see it through an outsider’s lens.

And we entwine our work with our individuality and self-worth.

They are difficult to separate. Continue reading →

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Transparent worlds, murky words

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

Carol Rama's art

Carol Rama’s art

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 artists few have seen outside Turkey.

In December, we continued our tradition by visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona.

A mishmash of art forms permeated the museum, where we saw the architecture of Oskar Hansen, word-art by Philippe Meaille and photographs by Sigalit Landau. Continue reading →

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Fitting the data to your theory  

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Phrenology Chart

Phrenology Chart

In the 19th century scientists thought personality was a function of the brain’s landscape.

Today psychologists scan images of the brain, looking for areas that map feelings and sensations, trying to draw linkages between thoughts with the physicality of the brain.

Turns out that, despite the pop science stories we read in the New York Times, scientists still know little about what images of the brain tell us about the person. Continue reading →

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Something about Jersey

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

image
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.

Hanging out at the Newark airport is especially fun. I scan the crowd for Parisians while my husband swears he can spot a West African. Continue reading →

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Clearspeak

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

Carl Perkins knew the difference between suede and swayed when he wrote his famous 1957 song

Carl Perkins knew the difference between suede and swayed when he wrote his famous 1955 song

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 tough editors.

Getting a name misspelled is a firing offense, one editor yelled at me.

Today I’m sifting through a raft of college student papers.

I find the most common mistakes confuse there with their, effect with affect, off of with on, reader’s with readers’ and data is with data are. Continue reading →

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Part 2: Packing values into value

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

whole-foods-produce
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 for the upscale market that appeals to folks who can afford organic vegetables, free-range animal products, homemade pastries and fair trade coffee?

The table-top cardboard announcement tells customers that “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” defines values in the following ways: Continue reading →

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Part I: Packing values into value

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Eastern Indians and settlers shared common values until greed intervened

Eastern Indians and settlers shared common values until greed intervened

Our local grocery store has launched a strategy to link values with value.

Usually when you hear a store talk about value the idea is that you get your dollar’s worth.

In this case, the grocery store is an upscale market that appeals to folks who can afford organic vegetables, free-range animal products, homemade pastries and fair trade coffee.

The store has a tea and coffee bar where you can relax, check your shopping list and have a snack.

That’s where I spied the promotional flyer on values. Continue reading →

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When dinners were frozen

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery
I grew up on canned and frozen foods, and bologna sandwiches

I grew up on canned and frozen foods, and bologna sandwiches

When did we get caught in the foodie era?

Maybe it’s the Portlandia culture but somewhere along the cooking path, I took a turn to foodiedom.

My friends and family adore Bittman and Pollan, Kasper and Katzen.

Weekends are highlighted by trips to the farmer’s market. Continue reading →

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