Tag Archives: Indigenous Science

Confined to a Wheelchair

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

Sometimes messages expand our thoughts and sometimes messages narrow them. A relative pointed out journalists are fond of saying, for example, Lady Gaga is “confined to a wheelchair,” as reported recently in the Huffington Post (UK). But a wheelchair is … Continue reading →

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Nibbled to Death by Ducks

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One of my colleagues said working in university administration is like being nibbled to death by ducks. And this week a world leader said if you’re popular in your job, you’re probably not doing a good job. Result: some poor … Continue reading →

Posted in health, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Going Viral

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Interesting how our language has changed. Today going viral is a good thing. But imagine 30 years ago when a strange virus struck gay men in cities like San Francisco. Going viral meant something frightening.

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

Making Memories

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Exploring how we invent stories—and then stick to them—confounds journalists and scientists alike: how can we separate fictions from fact? I am keenly interested in how we make decisions—especially decisions built on information we gather from media that affect how … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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

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 →

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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 →

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