Neuroscience in science fiction films / Sharon Packer, M.D.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Packer, Sharon.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science fiction films--History and criticism.

Science fiction films.

Neurosciences in motion pictures.

Physical Description:

ix, 287 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2014]

Summary:

"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. 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"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: Iron man, "extremis" and analysis

Neuroscience fiction film in post-psychoanalytic society

Movies and the mind (and the rebirth of the brain)

The legacy of 19th century literature

Automatons, androids, replicants and robocops

Human-ape brain exchanges, Darwinian debates and the "monkey gland man"

Sputnik, space aliens and brains from outer space

Science fiction in social problems films

Brain drains, brain chips and brain machines

Flashbacks, flash-forwards and flash drives

Memory, mentation and medication: before birth and after Alzheimer's

Dream scenes: from silent cinema to Salvador Dali to CGI

Video games, virtual reality and "reality testing"

Drugs, dystopias and utopias

Computers, consciousness and control

Conclusion: Hive minds, herds and Jung's collective unconscious.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780786472345

0786472340

OCLC:

882191799