Jeffrey A. Brown – författare

Hollywood’s live-action superhero films currently dominate the worldwide box-office, with the characters enjoying more notoriety through their feature film and television depictions than they have ever before. This book argues that this immense popularity reveals deep cultural concerns about politics, gender, ethnicity, patriotism and consumerism after the events of 9/11. Superheroes have long been agents of hegemony, fighting for abstract ideals of justice while overall perpetuating the American status quo. Yet at the same time, the book explores how the genre has also been utilized to question and critique these dominant cultural assumptions.

Hollywood’s live-action superhero films currently dominate the worldwide box-office, with the characters enjoying more notoriety through their feature film and television depictions than they have ever before. This book argues that this immense popularity reveals deep cultural concerns about politics, gender, ethnicity, patriotism and consumerism after the events of 9/11. Superheroes have long been agents of hegemony, fighting for abstract ideals of justice while overall perpetuating the American status quo. Yet at the same time, the book explores how the genre has also been utilized to question and critique these dominant cultural assumptions.

Concentrating primarily on contemporary depictions of Batman in the comic books, this book analyzes why Batman is so immensely popular right now in America and globally, and how the fictional Dark Knight reveals both new cultural concerns and longstanding beliefs about American values. The organizing premise is that while Batman is perceived as a very clearly defined character, he is open to a wide range of interpretations and depictions in the comics (what Henry Jenkins refers to as "multiplicities"), each of which allows access to different cultural issues. The idea of Batman functions as an anchoring point out of which multiple Batmen, or Batman-like characters, can occupy different positions: Grim Batman, Gay Batman, Female Batman, Black Batman, Cute Batman, and so on. Each iteration opens up a discussion of different cultural issues pertinent to modern society, such as sexuality, ethnicity, feminism and familial relationships.

Concentrating primarily on contemporary depictions of Batman in the comic books, this book analyzes why Batman is so immensely popular right now in America and globally, and how the fictional Dark Knight reveals both new cultural concerns and longstanding beliefs about American values. The organizing premise is that while Batman is perceived as a very clearly defined character, he is open to a wide range of interpretations and depictions in the comics (what Henry Jenkins refers to as "multiplicities"), each of which allows access to different cultural issues. The idea of Batman functions as an anchoring point out of which multiple Batmen, or Batman-like characters, can occupy different positions: Grim Batman, Gay Batman, Female Batman, Black Batman, Cute Batman, and so on. Each iteration opens up a discussion of different cultural issues pertinent to modern society, such as sexuality, ethnicity, feminism and familial relationships.

Functional neurosurgery resource features state-of-the-art approaches from renowned experts!

For patients with inadequately treated epilepsy, tremor, dystonia, spasticity, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Parkinson''s and Alzheimer''s disease, functional neurosurgery offers hope. Functional Neurosurgery: The Essentials is a reader-friendly introduction to this fascinating and rapidly evolving field. The text is edited by internationally prominent functional neurosurgeons Jeffrey A. Brown, Julie G. Pilitsis, and Michael Schulder. It features contributions from authors with expertise spanning the disciplines of neurosurgery, neurology, rehabilitation and physical medicine, neurophysiology, bioengineering, psychiatry and ophthalmology.

Opening with a brief history of stereotaxy/functional neurosurgery and brain stereotactic frames, 41 concise and coherent chapters explore cutting-edge approaches to a broad range of functionally treatable conditions. The chapters yield a solid foundation of understanding of the field, with insightful commentary, pearls, and nuances from the editors. The starting question in the neuroprosthetics chapter, "Can a computer infer human intention or perception?" brings to life the exciting, inquisitive, and pioneering spirit of this subspecialty. The robust reference list provides a guide to deeper study that should continue throughout training and practice.

Highlights

The text is a fundamental resource for neurosurgical residents during their functional neurosurgery rotations and for general neurosurgeons and functional subspecialists on procedures they may not routinely perform in clinical practice.