Risk asserts the ongoing importance of the analysis of risk in our age of permacrisis and mounting scepticism about experts and science, and calls for a 're-turn' to risk theory. This fully revised and expanded new edition includes a new chapter on risk information and denial in the context of the climate crisis and COVID-19 pandemic.
'The internet is made of cats' is a half-jokingly made claim. Today, animals of all shapes and sizes inhabit our digital spaces, from the monitoring of wildlife and feral animals to wearable devices and RFID chips for livestock. In this book, Deborah Lupton explores how digital technologies and datafication are changing our relationships with other animals. Playfully building on the concept of 'The Internet of Things', it discusses the complex relationships and feelings that have developed between people and animals online and through the use of digital devices, from the rapid dissemination of images and information about animals on social media to employing animal-like robots as companions and care devices. It brings together a range of perspectives including sociology, cultural geography, environmental humanities, critical animal studies and internet studies to consider how these new digital technologies are contributing to major changes in human-animal relationships at both the micropolitical and macropolitical levels. As the book shows, while digital devices and media have strengthened people's relationships to other animals, these technologies can also objectify animals as things for human entertainment, therapy or economic exploitation. This original and engaging book will be of interest to scholars and students across the social sciences and humanities.
Exploring the profound societal changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this book delves into the shifts in social norms, economic structures, and public health systems. It examines how communities adapted, highlighting resilience and innovation in response to unprecedented challenges. The narrative also addresses the disparities exposed by the crisis, providing insights into the future of societies as they navigate recovery and transformation in a post-pandemic world.
A Sociomaterial Analysis
Beyond its role as a protective covering against coronavirus infection, the face mask is the bearer of powerful symbolic and political power and arouses intense emotions. Adopting an international perspective informed by social theory, The Face Mask in COVID Times: A Sociomaterial Analysis offers an intriguing and original investigation of the social, cultural and historical dimensions of face-masking as a practice in the age of COVID
As people use self-tracking devices and other digital technologies, they generate increasing quantities of personal information online. Lupton develops a fresh and intriguing perspective on how people make sense of and use their personal data, and what they know about others who use this information--
Exploring the societal disdain for fat bodies, this expanded edition delves into the discourse surrounding fatness as a disease and the pressures to conform to accepted body sizes. Lupton integrates the latest critical research from the humanities and social sciences, making it both an engaging read for the general audience and a valuable resource for students and academics. The book serves as a provocative introduction to the complex politics of embodiment and health, highlighting contemporary debates on fat embodiment.
Focusing on the implications of digital health technologies, this book critically examines their impact on patients and physicians, as well as their influence on public health perceptions. It addresses essential questions regarding the interests these technologies serve and their broader consequences in the healthcare landscape.
With the advent of digital devices and software, self-tracking practices have gained new adherents and have spread into a wide array of social domains. The Quantified Self movement has emerged to promote 'self-knowledge through numbers'.
Exploring the impact of digital media technologies, this book examines their integration into daily life and social interactions across both developed and developing societies. It highlights various examples, from social media platforms like Twitter to corporate surveillance tools. Additionally, it positions digital sociology within its intellectual lineage, tracing the evolution of theory and research from the 1980s cyber theory to contemporary analyses of digital phenomena.
This seminal text serves as an essential resource for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students across various fields, including health, anthropology, nursing, and cultural studies. The third edition offers updated insights and perspectives, making it a vital addition to academic curricula. Its comprehensive approach ensures that students gain a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of these disciplines.