Neuroscience in Science Fiction Films
Published on 20. November 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
300 pages
978-0-7864-7234-5 (ISBN)
Description
As the gap between science fiction and science fact has narrowed, films that were intended as pure fantasy at the time of their premier have taken on deeper meaning. This volume explores neuroscience in science fiction films, focusing on neuroscience and psychiatry as running themes in SF and finding correlations between turning points in "neuroscience fiction" and advances in the scientific field. The films covered include The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Robocop, The Stepford Wives, The Mind Snatchers and iconic franchises like Terminator, Ironman and Planet of the Apes. Examining the parallel histories of psychiatry, neuroscience and cinema, this book shows how science fiction films offer insightful commentary on the scientific and philosophical developments of their times.
Reviews / Votes
"a treasure of interesting information awaits the curious and committed reader!"-Metapsychology Online Reviews; "contributes important new ideas and analyses to the study of brain-centric, neuroscience-focused SF film...interesting and insightful...recommended"-SRFA Review.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
50 photos, filmography, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
565 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-7234-5 (9780786472345)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sharon Packer, M.D., is a New York City psychiatrist and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ?ix
Preface ?1
Introduction ?5
One.?Neuroscience Fiction Film in -Post-Psychoanalytic Society ?13
Two.?Movies and the Mind (and the Rebirth of the Brain) ?22
Three.?The Legacy of 19th Century Literature ?46
Four.?Automatons, Androids, Replicants and RoboCops ?61
Five.?Human-Ape Brain Exchanges, Darwinian Debates and the "Monkey Gland Man" ?80
Six.?Sputnik, Space Aliens and Brains from Outer Space ?98
Seven.?Science Fiction in Social Problem Films ?125
Eight.?Brain Drains, Brain Chips and Brain Machines ?141
Nine.?Flashbacks, -Flash-Forwards and Flash Drives ?164
Ten.?Memory, Mentation and Medication: Before Birth and After Alzheimer's ?177
Eleven.?Dream Scenes: From Silent Cinema to Salvador Dali to CGI ?191
Twelve.?Video Games, Virtual Reality and "Reality Testing" ?206
Thirteen.?Drugs, Dystopias and Utopias ?216
Fourteen.?Computers, Consciousness and Control ?233
Conclusion: Hive Minds, Herds and Jung's Collective Unconscious ?239
Afterword ?241
Filmography ?245
Chapter Notes ?249
Bibliography ?259
Index ?271
Acknowledgements ?ix
Preface ?1
Introduction ?5
One.?Neuroscience Fiction Film in -Post-Psychoanalytic Society ?13
Two.?Movies and the Mind (and the Rebirth of the Brain) ?22
Three.?The Legacy of 19th Century Literature ?46
Four.?Automatons, Androids, Replicants and RoboCops ?61
Five.?Human-Ape Brain Exchanges, Darwinian Debates and the "Monkey Gland Man" ?80
Six.?Sputnik, Space Aliens and Brains from Outer Space ?98
Seven.?Science Fiction in Social Problem Films ?125
Eight.?Brain Drains, Brain Chips and Brain Machines ?141
Nine.?Flashbacks, -Flash-Forwards and Flash Drives ?164
Ten.?Memory, Mentation and Medication: Before Birth and After Alzheimer's ?177
Eleven.?Dream Scenes: From Silent Cinema to Salvador Dali to CGI ?191
Twelve.?Video Games, Virtual Reality and "Reality Testing" ?206
Thirteen.?Drugs, Dystopias and Utopias ?216
Fourteen.?Computers, Consciousness and Control ?233
Conclusion: Hive Minds, Herds and Jung's Collective Unconscious ?239
Afterword ?241
Filmography ?245
Chapter Notes ?249
Bibliography ?259
Index ?271