Category Archives: news bias

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

Going Viral

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

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

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

My Life as a Talk-Show Host

Truth is I live much of my life as a pretend talk-show host. I admit to being a smidge off-center. Like the Seinfeld episode when Kramer’s living room transforms into the Merv Griffin set, I imagine my couch welcomes guests … Continue reading

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

Nit-picking Scientific American

Excited to crack open my first issue of Scientific American. My colleagues in the science writing and science information fields have recommended the magazine to me. So, after receiving a bonus from the web-based superstore Amazon, I traded points for … Continue reading

Posted in framing, health, human origin, individualism, journalism, medicine, Native Science, neuroscience, news bias, risk, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life Imitates Art or … ?

I husbanded a few hours Monday evening to steal some time gazing at television—via my computer—to catch up on politics. My heart soared when I learned the president decided to chuck moderation and steam-roll through some tough decisions. His staff … Continue reading

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Poor Science Supports Media Effects

Most of us think we’re experts on media. And one reason is we believe seeing is believing. Take violence, for example. Parents, teachers, psychologists, physicians—loads of folks–assume that what we see on television and in movies influences us.

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Neuroscience: Le Mot du Jour

David Eagleman’s talk last evening engendered many comments around the supper table about neuroscience. Like soup du jour, neuroscience is le mot du jour (the word of the day). Neuroscience clings to the headlines like a bear to honey.

Posted in american indian, Family, journalism, native american, Native Science, neuroscience, news bias, Osage, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Portland Acknowledges Indians…and Science

Throughout the month of November I’ve been viewing my blogs through the lens of American Indian sensibilities. The exercise is illuminating: what happens when everything you think about and write about is through such a lens? I have been critical … Continue reading

Posted in american indian, authenticity, framing, native american, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments