Immaterial Bodies: Affect, Embodiment, Mediation (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)

In this unique contribution, Lisa Blackman focuses upon the affective capacities of bodies, human and non-human as well as addressing the challenges of the affective turn within social sciences. Fresh and convincing, Immaterial Bodies uncovers the paradoxes and tensions in work in affect studies by focusing on practices and experiences, including voice hearing, suggestion, hypnosis, telepathy, the placebo effect, rhythm and related phenomena. Questioning the traditional idea of mind over matter, as well as discussing the danger of setting up a false distinction between the two, this book makes for an invaluable addition within cultural theory and the recent turn to affect. How Might We Understand Entanglements Of The Mind, Brain, Body And World? And How Can We Develop Creative Forms Of Experimentation To Enact These Entanglements? In This Unique Contribution, Blackman Focuses Upon The Affective Capacities Of Bodies, Human And Non-human As Well As Addressing The Challenges Of The Affective Turn Within Social Sciences. Fresh And Convincing, This Book Uncovers The Paradoxes And Tensions In Work In Affect Studies By Focusing On Practices And Experiences, Including Voice Hearing, Suggestion, Hypnosis, Telepathy, The Placebo Effect, Rhythm And Related Phenomena. Questioning The Traditional Idea Of Mind Over Matter, As Well As Discussing The Danger Of Setting Up A False Distinction Between The Two, This Book Makes For An Invaluable Addition Within Cultural Theory And The Recent Turn To Affect. In A Powerful And Engaging Matter, Blackman Discusses The Immaterial Body Across The Neurosciences, Physiology, Media And Cultural Studies, Body-studies, Artwork, Performance, Psychology And Psychoanalysis. Interdisciplinary In Its Core, This Book Is A Must For Everyone Seeking A Dynamic And Thought Provoking Analysis Of Culture And Communication Today.--publisher's Website. The Subject Of Affect : Bodies, Process, Becoming -- The Crowd And The Problem Of Personality -- Mental Touch : Media Technologies And The Problem Of Telepathy -- The Re-enchantment Of Materialism : Affect And New Materialisms -- Affect, Energy, Rhythm And Transmission -- The Problem Of Automatism : Divided Attention, Voice Hearing And Machinic Vision -- Neuroscience : The Bicameral Mind And The Double Brain. Lisa Blackman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [192]-205) And Index. In this unique contribution, Blackman focuses upon the affective capacities of bodies, human and non-human as well as addressing the challenges of the affective turn within the social sciences. Fresh and convincing, this book uncovers the paradoxes and tensions in work in affect studies by focusing on practices and experiences, including voice hearing, suggestion, hypnosis, telepathy, the placebo effect, rhythm and related phenomena. Questioning the traditional idea of mind over matter, as well as discussing the danger of setting up a false distinction between the two, this book makes for an invaluable addition within cultural theory and the recent turn to affect. In a powerful and engaging matter, Blackman discusses the immaterial body across the neurosciences, physiology, media and cultural studies, body studies, artwork, performance, psychology and psychoanalysis. Interdisciplinary in its core, this book is a must for everyone seeking a dynamic and thought provoking analysis of culture and communication today. COVER 1 Contents 6 About the Author 7 Acknowledgements 8 Preface 10 1. The Subject of Affect: Bodies, Process, Becoming 28 2. The Crowd and The Problem of Personality 53 3. Mental Touch: Media Technologies and the Problem of Telepathy 81 4. The Re-enchantment of Materialism: Affect and New Materialisms 104 5. Affect, Energy, Rhythm and Transmission 127 6. The Problem of Automatism: Divided Attention,Voice Hearing and Machinic Vision 151 7. Neuroscience: The Bicameral Mind and the Double Brain 181 Epilogue 210 Bibliography 219 Index 234