Popular Culture Portrayal of the Scientific Discipline In the Fox series, Bones, Dr. Temperance Brennan is one of the lead female actors in the crime-solving drama that represents the scientific discipline, specifically Forensic Anthropology. Taking place in very modern times, Dr. Brennan and her laboratory use state of the art technology and their brilliant minds to solve heinous crimes that an ordinary team could not solve. Dr. Brennan’s unusual characteristics are used to bring to the light the specific quirks of those involved in the scientific discipline. The episode, “The Bod in the Pod,” from the TV drama series, Bones, portrays that laboratory scientists must be exceptionally intelligent and lacking emotion in order to be successful …show more content…
Brennan’s unusual characteristics shown in “The Bod in the Pod” suggests scientists are emotionally withdrawn and highly compulsive. It is portrayed that scientists must be unempathetic towards all aspects of life in order to be successful and respected in their profession, a quirk that is often associated with extraordinary intelligence. When the body is brought back to the Jeffersonian from the coast and Dr. Hodgins passes out from inhaling the fumes of the pod, Dr. Brennan states “since Dr. Hodgins is regaining consciousness, I see no reason why I cannot examine the body” (CITATION). Here, Dr. Brennan shows little to no concern for her fellow colleague, but would rather get to work examining the remains that were recently brought in. For scientists, work is their life, and therefore, they are emotionally withdrawn from relationships with others. Also, while in the interrogation with Davey, the stepson of the deceased, Dr. Brennan accuses the adolescent of murder with no hint of sympathy for the boy who just lost a father figure. Dr. Brennan has many encounters such as this one with individuals that show her lack of social etiquette for delicate subjects. The way in which the doctor interacts with others and expresses a lack of interest for other’s feelings shows how popular culture portrays scientists as being unempathetic and socially
This led to major breakthroughs in the medical world and allowed scientists to experiment effects of toxins and cures. “If the whole profession is doing it, how can you call it 'unprofessional conduct'?" (Skloot, 134) Skloot wrote this book to unveil the injustices that the Lacks family and many other African-Americans went through. The key passage shows that many medical professionals used the “everyone else is doing it” defense to justify their unethical behavior.
When a researcher from the National Cancer Institute was visiting a friend, Bobbette, who was the wife of one of Henrietta’s oldest son’s. He asked her last name and excitedly asked her if she was related to Henrietta Lacks. He told her about Henrietta Lacks, and Bobbette ran to tell the family that Henrietta was still alive. The researcher or anyone else in the medical field was not supposed to tell or ask anyone including relatives about Henrietta’s medical records.
The themes in the novel tell a complete story of life, science, and the science of life. “It was very dehumanizing to be thought of as Mo, to be thought of as Mo in the medical records: ‘Saw Mo today.’ ” (Skloot 201). This animal like referral to patients then demonstrates just how far medical ethics has come. It also proves that these dehumanizing tactics are a major theme in the story.
The fervent ideal-searching that entails scientific research is an endeavor that encompasses not only intellectual bounds but also the mental and emotional fixtures present in the mind of a scientific pioneer. Mere thoughts and notions become materialized tools and obstacles, and the journey that takes place within becomes the foundation by which scientific theory is ascertained. Wielding thoughts as stepping stones is crucial to the duty of the scientist, and even a degree of uncertainty must be harnessed for success and improvement. In this excerpt from The Great Influenza, John M. Barry pieces together a passionate study on the character of scientific research through the artful use of rhetorical strategies including syntax, hypothetical
The Story of the Murderous Doctor “More than 700,000 people die in hospitals each year in the U.S.” (Shmerling). Although it is doctors’ job to save lives, deaths still occur. When in a hospital, the patient’s life lies in the doctor’s hands. Most doctors do everything in their power to make sure that their patients stay alive, of course, there are exceptions for everything. In this case, the patient’s life who ends up in the hands of Michael Swango might not be so lucky.
(Barry) which serves as a final reminder of the vastness of possibilities in the work of a scientist and the intelligence it requires to narrow down those vast possibilities into one solid method that both succeeds in completing the research and in revealing something new and interesting. In conclusion, author John M. Barry uses rhetorical questions in order to give readers a glimpse into the world of scientific research. (Jessica
In the passage from John M. Barry’s The Great Influenza, Barry makes us of an extended metaphor of scientific research as an unexplored wilderness, a motif of uncertainty, a comprehensible diction and admiring tone, and bookended explanatory paragraphs to characterize scientific research as a courageous pursuit to bring order from chaos. Throughout the piece, Barry develops the metaphor in a fashion which closely parallels the steps of the scientific method, giving the reader a better understanding of the work of scientists. In an effort to promote scientific research to the general public, he focuses on its positive aspects and the character traits of scientists. In order to appeal to a wide audience, Barry uses an extended metaphor to compare the seemingly abstract and unreachable concept of scientific research to the mentally attainable image of pioneers settling a virgin wilderness.
In the article, “Beware the Biomarkers for Criminal Behavior,” Kira Peikoff analyzes the expanding use of brain imaging and biomarkers to predict criminal behavior. She describes the expansion of these technological advancements as a possible violation to an individual’s basic civil rights of innocent until proven guilty. Piekoff expresses that with these growing advancements in this technology a fine line between science and morality should be explored with caution. Our society today may consist of individuals with mental defects, but where is the line drawn in depicting a future crime without infringing on an individual 's basic civil rights. Peikoff provides three distinguishable premises in her article.
Doctors, one side of the coin they are viewed as the ones that can cure the sick with their knowledge, the ones that are supposed to help them get better. The other side they are feared and are avoided at all cost by some. Doctors have this bad reputation about them because sometimes they don’t even tell their patients what is wrong with them. Or the patients themselves don’t even question the doctors because they went to school and have a prestigious piece of paper. In “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, she describes benevolent deception, which doctors had no trouble of doing in the mid-century, as the doctors keeping their patients in the dark.
First, Goodall beings her essay by describing the biomedical laboratories
In the novel, ‘A Cage of Butterflies’, Caswell explores the dangers of scientific research driven by personal gains rather than for the good of humanity. The author reflects this through the characterisation of the antagonist Larsen, who was originally not driven by his own interests. However, Caswell shows that upon the discovery of the Babies, he is seen to be blinded by his personal pursuits seeking wealth and fame, and is seen to dehumanise the Babies for the purpose of his research. Caswell suggests that the human value of self-direction can be seen to be stolen through the selfish pursuits of those in power, corrupting scientific research through the use of dialogue. For example, in chapter XXX, Larsen is seen to state that, “This is
“A scientist must accept the fact that all his or her work, even beliefs, may break apart upon the sharp edge of a single laboratory finding” (Line 14). Science is about finding out the truth. One cannot do that if he is held back by a sacred belief. Science is brave in this respect because the scientist might find out that how he lives his life is wrong. Science is about being uncertain because nothing is absolute.
Basic scientists are individuals who prefer to study occurrences in order to gather a better understanding to satisfy their curiosity. This process doesn’t resolve in answering the question but rather gaining the knowledge (Greene & Heilbrun, 2014). The basic scientists’ role in law enforcement is to conduct “research on the relationship between social attitudes and behavior can clarify why people obey or disobey the law” (Greene & Heilbrun, 2014). This predation is transferred to the courtroom through testimony and
Mond explains, in this quote, how science cannot remain the sole factor in achieving happiness. Throughout the story, the Controllers condition the people to view science as the greatest good, but new discoveries often lack what makes an individual happy. Process often infringes on what people as a whole consider as happy. They feel contentment but individuality and passion push brilliant individuals to discover more scientifically. Beauty lies in truth.
Stylistic and language features were devices that were used throughout the novel Seed, written by Lisa Heathfield, to develop the themes. Abuse, psychological, physical and sexual, was a theme which was shown throughout the novel, and was strengthened with the use of the stylistic and language features. Imagery was one of the techniques that was used throughout the novel, and impacted on how the reader perceived this abuse. The use of the narrator’s voice also had a significant impact on how the reader viewed the theme, and the overall development. Imagery is a common and powerful tool that writers use to strengthen and convey their ideas and messages.