Brainmedia: One Hundred Years of Performing Live Brains, 1920-2020

Brainmedia explores how new media technologies have enabled the visualization and study of the active human brain, showcasing examples from the past and present. It argues that practices of mediation have influenced the imagination of seeing the brain at work and highlights the role of popularization in scientific work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Will we ever be able to see the brain at work? Could it be possible to observe thinking and feeling as if watching a live broadcast from within the human head?

Brainmedia explores the captivating realm of visualizing the active human brain through innovative new media technologies. From the grandeur of illuminated brain models to the mesmerizing spectacle of staged projections of brainwave recordings, and even the groundbreaking achievement of live televised brain broadcasts, scientists and educators have pushed the boundaries of perception.

By delving into archival materials, Brainmedia unveils a rich history of "live brains." It sheds light on the practices and ideas that shaped our understanding of brain activity, highlighting the profound impact of mediation on the imagination of witnessing the brain in action. Through a seamless blend of accounts of scientists examining brains in laboratories and examples of public demonstrations and exhibitions of brain research, Brainmedia offers a fresh perspective on popularization practices. It places these practices at the very core of scientific endeavors, illuminating the intricate interplay between science, technology, and the broader public.

The possibilities for observing the brain at work continue to expand, fueled by ongoing research and technological advancements. As we delve deeper into the mysteries of the human mind, we may one day witness the intricate workings of thought and emotion in real-time, providing a profound glimpse into the inner workings of our extraordinary selves.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 224 x 147 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501378751