Category Archives: ethics

Cookie Full of Arsenic

I’d hate to take a bite of you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic. That’s just one of the unforgettable quotes from the movie, The Sweet Smell of Success my students viewed this week. Set in 1950s against the backdrop … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, cinema, ethics, film, framing, journalism, news bias, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Science Ethics Redux

Henrietta Lacks is back in the news. Lacks’ story captured headlines after Rebecca Skloot’s 2010 book revealed the dying mother had her cells removed for science—without her permission. Doctors at Johns Hopkins hospital had tried unsuccessfully to keep alive human … Continue reading

Posted in ethics, health, human origin, journalism, medicine, science, science communication, social media, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Defining Race

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, Family, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, native american, Native Science, news bias, repatriation, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Science Censored

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 advertising, censorship, ethics, framing, health, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bullet in the Chamber

Some poor sod is having a bad PR day. Turns out Nike’s advertising campaign featuring Oscar Pistorius likens the athlete to a bullet in the chamber. Problem is Pistorius has been accused of releasing four real bullets from the chamber … Continue reading

Posted in advertising, authenticity, censorship, ethics, journalism, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

When Violence is Persuasive

I was glad to turn on the radio and hear Gabrielle Giffords has weighed in on the gun issue currently consuming news reports in North America. Giffords, a Democratic congresswoman, was shot in the head at close range on January … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, individualism, journalism, neuroscience, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Brewhaha

The French call it Basse Classe. Low class. That’s what went through my noggin when I heard that Donald Trump threw a fit because a Scottish neighbor refused to bow down to Trump’s exploitive needs.

Posted in american indian, community, ethics, Lakota, native american, Native Science, science, science communication, spirituality | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fake Indians in France

We spent the weekend curled up by the fire, sipping coffee and searching for French hotels and phrase-books in preparation for our trip to Paris. When my honey reaches for a cup or the soap, he asks me to translate … Continue reading

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Indian Humor

Sure, Indians have a sense of humor. Just ask Ryan Red Corn. Red Corn, a fellow Osage with Renaissance qualities—graphic artist, filmmaker and improv actor—has created videos that highlight Indian humor and is a member of the 1492s, an Indian … Continue reading

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What Native Cause Will You Support?

My mailbox is stuffed with fliers from L.L. Bean and Lands End along with a bundle of requests from indigenous charities: American Indian College Fund, American Indian Youth Running Strong and St. Joseph’s Indian School. This year I’m supporting nationally … Continue reading

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