Tag Archives: literacy

Judge Rules on Cigarette Packs

A news story broke this week announcing that a judge has ruled in favor of tobacco companies who object to the FDA’s plans to require graphic labels on cigarette packs. Several companies joined in the lawsuit, arguing that the new … Continue reading

Posted in health, risk | Tagged | 2 Comments

Exploitation and Scientific Discovery

One of my graduate students is at the tail-end of her thesis on science communication: a look at how folks talk about a best-selling book in online conversations. She defends her thesis this week. The book, The Immortal Life of … Continue reading

Posted in ethics, framing, health, science, science communication, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Faux Indians and Halloween

In my insular world of email and Facebook there’s a load of chatter about Indian costumes worn at Halloween. After searching the internet, I found plentiful websites that sell Native American “costumes” as “part of the American Halloween scene” where … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, Indian, Osage | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Prairie Voles

Sense of smell is primal. Sometimes, riding the bus into work, I smell my seat-mates, which is not always pleasant. Sweat, vomit, cigarettes and booze smells waft downwind.

Posted in health, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Schadenfreude

Feelings of Schadenfreude crept into my sinews this week, making me feel delightful contrition in one fell swoop. How superficial to admit I enjoy the misfortune of others: the antithesis of being empathic. But sometimes a situation gels before your … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Contagion

I’ve delayed reading the reviews for the new film Contagion until I sort though my feelings. When I worked at the CDC my colleagues didn’t suit up in the Day-Glo orange hazard gear but they did venture to outbreaks to … Continue reading

Posted in cinema, ethics, film, framing, health, journalism, risk, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Science Talk Sees Red

Michele Bachmann’s recent pronouncement about vaccines is right up my alley because it reveals how we talk about science. In case you missed it, during a recent debate Bachmann scoured Rick Perry, governor of Texas, for requiring that girls in … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, framing, health | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Bike Ride

You can’t be depressed riding a bike. Thanks goodness it’s a downhill ride to my work and most drivers are patient as I peddle through the intersections at a tortoise pace.

Posted in health, writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

When Names Aren’t What They Seem

I discovered that family names can be invented, forgotten and even lost in the branches of the family tree.

Posted in authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Indian, Lakota | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Redskins: The Elephant in the Room

The PR flacks are earning their salaries this week as Beacon Press promotes a new book that reveals the backstory about how owner George Preston Marshall refused to integrate the Washington DC football team called The Redskins.

Posted in authenticity, framing, Indian, journalism, news bias, writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments