Death and Society by Alicia Chan

Death & Dying - Nicole Piemonte

alichan3 — 2023-10-17 16:50:28 UTC

Instead of a summary, I found it more insightful to create a "rant" post about my opinions on the topics brought up by the book here :)

Here is also a poster for Age of Adeline, which I mentioned at the last comment.

Erased Lynching Series - Ken Gonzales-Day

alichan3 — 2023-10-17 16:56:42 UTC

Notice how the "lynched" or the victim was removed, and there was only a crowd present looking up to the "erased" hanging body. This "absence" was intentional in that the viewer was then forced (and not distracted) by the grotesque outcome, but instead understands that such horrific acts was portrayed as an amusement (like a circus act).

"The Dead Body"

alichan3 — 2023-10-21 01:26:03 UTC

"Data Infrastructures of the Dead"

alichan3 — 2023-10-21 21:03:23 UTC

"A Brief History of an Idea"

alichan3 — 2023-10-21 21:11:45 UTC

Mengele & Facial Reconstruction for Forensic Analysis

alichan3 — 2023-10-24 16:35:20 UTC

Investment in Death and the Body for Evidence

alichan3 — 2023-10-24 16:52:41 UTC

In the context of human rights and seeking justice, why is it that we need physical evidence for closure? Why do we consider death justice / closure?

Anil's Ghost

alichan3 — 2023-10-24 17:05:09 UTC

The protagonist, Anil Tissera, returns to her native Sri Lanka after 15 years away. She comes back as part of an international human rights fact-finding mission, and soon discovers that the killing, secrecy and atrocities are emerging from all sides.

Charles Babbage, "On the Permanent Impression of Our Words and Actions on the Globe We Inhabit," Ninth Bridgewater Treatise (1837)

alichan3 — 2023-10-26 16:18:53 UTC

This book was written before the boom of detective activity. It is early in the works of criminal and detective imaginary.

Author mentions that his insights are not very applicable. Cut out is a higher being with mathematical abilities and devices that can track vibrations in the air. There are algorithms today that mimic this ability, but it is not possible to track all activities. There are and and will not be a technique for this in the near future.

Norbert Wiener, "Newtonian and Bergsonian Time," Cybernetics, or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine (1948)

alichan3 — 2023-10-26 16:35:30 UTC

Wiener coined the term cybernetics, which is the precursor to computer science. He wrote in a moment of shift between deterministic Physics to probabilistic Physics.

The Five Stages of Grief

alichan3 — 2023-11-07 04:58:23 UTC

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

*Not necessarily in order

Normal and Complicated Grief Reactions

alichan3 — 2023-11-07 05:11:17 UTC

Reactions appropriate to one cultural group may differ to another. Culture, therefore, is a very significant influence in the ways people express grief.

"A Good Death"

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 03:39:13 UTC

Key quotes:

"We should remember there is no universal model for 'dying well'."

"Palliative architecture rejects the machines for healing, and rejects pure rationalism."

Stephen Verderber and Ben J. Refuerzo

"The uptake of 'evodence-based design' suggests that the social projects of staging death will eventually be subject to 'best practices'."

"The rooms that soothe one person may alienate another."

"Hospice design and practice are necessarily and perpetually unstable."

"Were palliative design ever to become truly standardized, its ubiquity would be every bit as depressing as the mid-century mega-hospital."

"A House at the End of Life"

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:04:56 UTC

"Patients who receive palliative care may live longer than those who fight death with technology and medication."

Death, Incorporated

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:17:32 UTC

The media's coverage of death and its intersection with the funeral industry triggers a range of opinions, from concerns about corporate influence to recognition of the media's power in instigating positive change and fostering transparency. The evolving landscape prompts ongoing discussions about the delicate balance between business interests and the emotional needs of grieving families.

A Happy Death

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:21:19 UTC

"Fun Home" is a graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel that explores her relationship with her father, her coming out as a lesbian, and her father's possible suicide. The narrative delves into the complexities of family dynamics, sexual identity, and the impact of secrets.

Media and Critical Attention (It is really impressive, so I searched it up!):

The graphic memoir has received widespread praise for its honesty, emotional depth, and unique format.
Bechdel's work is lauded for its significant contribution to LGBTQ+ representation in literature.
Critics appreciate the narrative complexity and thematic richness, recognizing it as a powerful exploration of personal and familial experiences.
The memoir's use of storytelling through the graphic medium is acknowledged for its ability to address complex emotions surrounding loss.

Remembering the Colleagues We Lost to COVID-19

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:28:21 UTC

"In remembering those we lost to COVID-19" by MTA is a tribute that honors over 100 MTA team members who tragically lost their lives to the pandemic. The memorial, titled "TRAVELS FAR," serves as a testament to their dedication in serving the community. Lasting 8 minutes and 5 seconds, the video features photos shared by the loved ones of the departed colleagues.

The National September 11 Memorial Museum

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:34:52 UTC

First-hand experience reflection:

When I first visited this memorial, I was a child and did not understand the gravity of the memorial. Reading this article now as a college student, I feel somewhat upset at myself as I remember the countless names written on the black stone. I did not realize that those people were dead in tragedy to this unfair event.

As the article suggests, the memorial does not highlight any event of the 9/11 tragedy, and thus I would never have know what happened and my parents did not want to bring up such a sensitive topic. Memorials should honor even bad memories to teach society lessons regarding disruptions of peace and importance of life.

How the Possession of Human Remains Led to a Public Reckoning at the Penn Museum

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:39:58 UTC

The article highlights the potential exploitation of the tragic events surrounding the MOVE organization bombing and the deaths of children by forensic anthropologists and the media. The use of remains for educational purposes, without proper consent, raises ethical concerns about the commodification of tragedy.

Trauma and Experience

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:43:54 UTC

The text offers a deep and intricate exploration of trauma, delving into psychoanalytic theories, the definition of PTSD, and the interplay between trauma and history.

Multidirectional Memory

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:47:52 UTC

This excerpt discusses the concept of "Multidirectional Memory" in the context of remembering the Holocaust in the age of decolonization. The author challenges the idea of memory as a competitive, zero-sum game and introduces the notion of multidirectional memory, emphasizing the dynamic transfers and interactions between diverse historical events during acts of remembrance.

The Reverse Bug

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:52:13 UTC

"The Reverse Bug" by Erich Segal is a short story about a classroom discussion where a student, Paulino, reveals his father's mysterious disappearance after a visit to the American Consulate. The father, involved in sensitive post-World War II activities, is linked to historical guilt and justice. The narrative explores the consequences of past actions and the lingering impact of geopolitical events on individuals, using the concept of the "reverse bug" as a metaphor for the inescapable echoes of history.

Trauma

alichan3 — 2023-12-08 04:55:41 UTC

The definition of trauma has shifted over time, originally referring to physical injuries in the 17th century and later encompassing psychological harm in the 19th century.