Until Death Do Us Part and They Upload Us Into Clones: An Analysis of Film Narratives About Mind Uploading and the Myth of Immortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-548
Author(s):  
Anja Zlatović ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Visual Science ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Tv Show

The fear of death and the myth of immortality are themes long present in various narratives, whether literary or visual. Science fiction as a genre offers us many venues for new explorations of this idea. Mind uploading is one of them. This fictional technique, related to cloning, is performed when the mind and consciousness of a person are transferred to another biological body or machine with the help of technology. In this way, a person continues their social life through their brain functions. This paper looks at four separate recent screen narratives – the movies Self/less, Transcendence, and Replicas, and the episode “Be Right Back” of the TV show Black Mirror. With the help of Tzvetan Todorov’s structural analysis, we find clauses that are present in all of the plots and see what ideas and topics they share. The paper also uses the idea of anthropological reading of science fiction and therefore uses scientific research to analyze these themes. By looking at anthropological findings of immortality, mortality, death in modern society, and digital techniques, we see how the analyzed narratives portray a unique mixture of fear of and longing for all the mentioned processes and ideas. Finally, this paper shows how science fiction could possibly reflect reality – both through presenting thoughts of society and inspiring future technological advances and ideas (in this case, the quest for immortality). While humans are still far from achieving eternal life, the mentioned screen narratives portray the growing stream of ideas that deal with mind uploading in the age of the internet and social media.

Book Review: Toshchenko Zh.T. Trauma Society: Between Evolution and Revolution (The Experience of Theoretical and Empirical Analysis). Moscow: Ves’ Mir, 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 152-159
Author(s):  
Vladimir V. Krivosheev
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Sociological Theory ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Russian Society ◽  
Trauma Society ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Research ◽  
Further Development

The review reveals the basic conceptions elaborated by one of the major Russian modern sociologists Zh.T. Toshchenko in his new research. The reviewer argues that the book’s author thoroughly examines the various methodological grounds for identifying the essential characteristics of social dynamics. At the same time, the reviewer focuses on the further development of the theory of modern society, proposed by the book’s author. Thus, Zh.T. Toshchenko, who spent many years researching social deformations, formulates an important concept – the concept of a society of trauma as the third modality of social development along with evolution and revolution. The book offers a fundamentally new view of social life, there is a holistic, systematic approach to all its processes and phenomena. The reviewer concludes that the new book of the social theorist Zh.T. Toshchenko is a significant contribution to sociological theory, since it develops ideas about the state and prospects of Russian society, gives accurate assessments of all social processes.

SOCIAL CONFLICT: ARCHETYPAL NATURE AND RESOLUTION MECHANISM

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
pp. 294-305
Author(s):  
Ruslan Rafisovich Hasanov
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Constructive Development ◽  
The Social ◽  
Interdisciplinary Knowledge

On the basis of the archetypic analysis of development trends of a conflictological paradigm the author’s model of minimization of conflict potential in modern society is offered. Institutional construction is the basis for model that is harmonized with a factor of societal identity.It is noted that the problems of social conflicts, according to data from monitor- ing studies of the Ukrainian school of archetype, are increasingly shifted into the sphere of interpersonal relations. It is stimulated by the progression in society of so-called self-sufficient personalities, the “subjectification” of the social space, and at the same time narrowing down to the solution of entirely specific situations in which there is a collision of the interests of two or more parties.Instead, in order to find the optimal solution for resolving the conflict, it is necessary to have interdisciplinary knowledge, in particular understanding of the deep nature of such conflicts. Collision of points of view, thoughts, positions — a very frequent phenomenon of modern social life. In order to develop the correct line of behavior in various conflict situations, it is important to adequately under- stand the nature of the emergence of the modern conflict and the mechanisms for resolving them in substance. Knowledge of conflict nature enriches the culture of communication and makes human life and social groups not only more calm, but also creates conditions for constructive development. It is proved that in modern life one can not but agree with the statement that an individual carries first re- sponsibility for his own life and only then for the life of the social groups to which he belongs. And while making decisions within the framework of modern mecha- nisms (consensus), the properties of human psychology such as extroversion, emo- tionality, irrationality, intuition, externality, and executive ability will not at least contribute to such a task.That is why in the author’s research attracted attention to the archetypal na- ture of the conflict — the primitive images, ideas, feelings inherent in man as a bearer of the collective unconscious.

SOCIAL CONFLICT: ARCHETYPAL NATURE AND RESOLUTION MECHANISM

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 294-305
Author(s):  
Ruslan Rafisovich Hasanov
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Constructive Development ◽  
The Social ◽  
Interdisciplinary Knowledge

On the basis of the archetypic analysis of development trends of a conflictological paradigm the author’s model of minimization of conflict potential in modern society is offered. Institutional construction is the basis for model that is harmonized with a factor of societal identity. It is noted that the problems of social conflicts, according to data from monitoring studies of the Ukrainian school of archetype, are increasingly shifted into the sphere of interpersonal relations. It is stimulated by the progression in society of so-called self-sufficient personalities, the “subjectification” of the social space, and at the same time narrowing down to the solution of entirely specific situations in which there is a collision of the interests of two or more parties. Instead, in order to find the optimal solution for resolving the conflict, it is necessary to have interdisciplinary knowledge, in particular understanding of the deep nature of such conflicts. Collision of points of view, thoughts, positions — a very frequent phenomenon of modern social life. In order to develop the correct line of behavior in various conflict situations, it is important to adequately understand the nature of the emergence of the modern conflict and the mechanisms for resolving them in substance. Knowledge of conflict nature enriches the culture of communication and makes human life and social groups not only more calm, but also creates conditions for constructive development. It is proved that in modern life one can not but agree with the statement that an individual carries first responsibility for his own life and only then for the life of the social groups to which he belongs. And while making decisions within the framework of modern mechanisms (consensus), the properties of human psychology such as extroversion, emotionality, irrationality, intuition, externality, and executive ability will not at least contribute to such a task. That is why in the author’s research attracted attention to the archetypal nature of the conflict — the primitive images, ideas, feelings inherent in man as a bearer of the collective unconscious.

Esteem and self-esteem as an interweaving polarity. Max Weber´s analysis from the Protestant ethic to the ideal-type of politician

Human Affairs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-364
Author(s):  
Cristiana Senigaglia
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Max Weber ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Protestant Ethic ◽  
Social Reputation ◽  
Conduct Of Life ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Ideal

AbstractAlthough Max Weber does not specifically analyze the topic of esteem, his investigation of the Protestant ethic offers interesting insights into it. The change in mentality it engendered essentially contributed to enhancing the meaning and importance of esteem in modern society. In his analysis, Weber ascertains that esteem was fundamental to being accepted and integrated into the social life of congregations. Nevertheless, he also highlights that esteem was supported by a form of self-esteem which was not simply derived from a good social reputation, but also achieved through a deep and continual self-analysis as well as a strict discipline in the ethical conduct of life. The present analysis reconstructs the different aspects of the relationship between social and self-esteem and analyzes the consequences of that relationship by focusing on the exemplary case of the politician’s personality and ethic.

scholarly journals Proteomic insights into synaptic signaling in the brain: the past, present and future

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yalan Xu ◽  
Xiuyue Song ◽  
Dong Wang ◽  
Yin Wang ◽  
Peifeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Synaptic Signaling ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Data Independent Acquisition ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Neural Communication ◽  
Chemical Synapses ◽  
The Brain

AbstractChemical synapses in the brain connect neurons to form neural circuits, providing the structural and functional bases for neural communication. Disrupted synaptic signaling is closely related to a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the past two decades, proteomics has blossomed as a versatile tool in biological and biomedical research, rendering a wealth of information toward decoding the molecular machinery of life. There is enormous interest in employing proteomic approaches for the study of synapses, and substantial progress has been made. Here, we review the findings of proteomic studies of chemical synapses in the brain, with special attention paid to the key players in synaptic signaling, i.e., the synaptic protein complexes and their post-translational modifications. Looking toward the future, we discuss the technological advances in proteomics such as data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS), cross-linking in combination with mass spectrometry (CXMS), and proximity proteomics, along with their potential to untangle the mystery of how the brain functions at the molecular level. Last but not least, we introduce the newly developed synaptomic methods. These methods and their successful applications marked the beginnings of the synaptomics era.

scholarly journals Demons of the mind: The ‘psy’ sciences and film in the long 1960s

2021 ◽  
pp. 095269512110285
Author(s):  
Tim Snelson ◽  
William R. Macauley
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Film Culture ◽  
Radical Feminist ◽  
Critical Engagement ◽  
The Sixties ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Mind

This introduction provides context for a collection of articles that came out of a research symposium held at the Science Museum's Dana Research Centre in 2018 for the ‘ Demons of Mind: the Interactions of the ‘Psy’ Sciences and Cinema in the Sixties' project. Across a range of events and research outputs, Demons of the Mind sought to map the multifarious interventions and influences of the ‘psy’ sciences (psychology, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis) on film culture in the long 1960s. The articles that follow discuss, in order: critical engagement with theories of child development in 1960s British science fiction; the ‘horrors’ of contemporary psychiatry and neuroscience portrayed in the Hollywood blockbuster The Exorcist (1973); British social realist filmmakers' alliances with proponents of ‘anti-psychiatry’; experimental filmmaker Jane Arden's coalescence of radical psychiatry and radical feminist techniques in her ‘psychodrama’ The Other Side of the Underneath (1973); and the deployment of film technologies by ‘psy’ professionals during the post-war period to capture and interpret mother-infant interaction.

MUSIC AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES IN SOCIETY: MANAGEMENT THEORY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
A. N. Yakoupov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Communication Management ◽  
Musical Life ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Theoretical Statement ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Musical Communication

Based on historical and theoretical analysis of the development of social functioning of musical communication, as well as some problems of its management, the author attempts to theoretically justify the ways and means of optimizing music and communication processes that contribute to enhance the social and cultural role of musical art. The article describes fundamental concepts, which should be taken as the basis for the organization of musical life in modern society. The author puts forward such a conceptual theoretical statement as the principle of multi-factor audience differentiation. Consequently, the paper considers important facets of the theory of musical communication management in society, namely the target programming, scientific forecasting and long-term planning. The ways and methods of implementing these principles aimed at the achievement of a certain level of control over the music communication processes in society are also considered. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the impact of current social and economic changes in Russia on the formation of marketing and management in the social life of musical art.

MUSIC AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES IN SOCIETY: MANAGEMENT THEORY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
A. N. Yakoupov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Communication Management ◽  
Musical Life ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Theoretical Statement ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Musical Communication

Based on historical and theoretical analysis of the development of social functioning of musical communication, as well as some problems of its management, the author attempts to theoretically justify the ways and means of optimizing music and communication processes that contribute to enhance the social and cultural role of musical art. The article describes fundamental concepts, which should be taken as the basis for the organization of musical life in modern society. The author puts forward such a conceptual theoretical statement as the principle of multi-factor audience differentiation. Consequently, the paper considers important facets of the theory of musical communication management in society, namely the target programming, scientific forecasting and long-term planning. The ways and methods of implementing these principles aimed at the achievement of a certain level of control over the music communication processes in society are also considered. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the impact of current social and economic changes in Russia on the formation of marketing and management in the social life of musical art.

The role of the intelligentsia in building a new Kyrgyz society

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indira Bektemirovna Karabaeva
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Subsistence Level ◽  
Social Tension ◽  
Large Families ◽  
The Unemployed ◽  
Economics And Politics

In the transitional period of changes in all spheres of social life, the formation of new views and relations in the economy, politics and socio-cultural environment is taking place. The struggle between the new and the old leads to social tension in society. In our opinion, the main reason for the growth of social tension in modern Kyrgyz society is the crisis in the field of economics and politics. To a large extent, the crisis manifests itself in the growth of unemployment and an increase in the population with incomes below the subsistence level, which leads to the marginalization of society and a change in the image, quality and lifestyle. There are so-called "points" of concentration of social tension in modern society. In social terms, these are groups of people of retirement age, youth, the unemployed, public sector workers, the intelligentsia, low-income, large families, etc. The purpose of this article is to show the role of the intelligentsia in building a new Kyrgyz society.

Zombies, Epiphenomenalism, and Physicalist Theories of Consciousness

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Philosophy Of Mind ◽  
Thought Experiments ◽  
Computer Programs ◽  
Recent History ◽  
Philosophical Work ◽  
The Mind

In its recent history, the philosophy of mind has come to resemble an entry into the genre of Hammer horror or pulpy science fiction. These days it is unusual to encounter a major philosophical work on the mind that is not populated with bats, homunculi, swamp-creatures, cruelly imprisoned genius scientists, aliens, cyborgs, other-worldly twins, self-aware Computer programs, Frankenstein-monster-like ‘Blockheads,’ or zombies. The purpose of this paper is to review the role in the philosophy of mind of one of these fantastic thought-experiments — the zombie — and to reassess the implications of zombie arguments, which I will suggest have been widely misinterpreted. I shall argue that zombies, far from being the enemy of materialism, are its friend; and furthermore that zombies militate against the computational model of consciousness and in favour of more biologically-rooted conceptions, and hence that zombie- considerations support a more reductive kind of physicalism about consciousness than has been in vogue in recent years.

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