Being Bionic

The contradictions and complexities of the cyborg therefore hold particular appeal to programme makers of dramatic TV narratives. Bronwen Calvert examines the uses and representations of the cyborg in this ground-breaking text, by looking at its frequent appearance in a wide variety of popular and cult shows: from the iconic Daleks of Doctor Who and bionic female empowerment in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, to the duality of humanoid and distinctly robotic cyborgs in Battlestar Galactica. In doing so, she reveals how television's defining traits shape our experience of cyborgs and help us as viewers to question contemporary issues such as surveillance and terrorism, as well as the function of simulation and ultimately what it means to be human.

The ABC TV series The Bionic Woman, created by Kenneth Johnson, was a 1970s pop culture phenomenon. Starring Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, the groundbreaking series follows Jaime's evolution from a young woman vulnerable to an exploitative social order, to a fierce individualist defying a government that sees her as property. Beneath the action-packed surface of Jaime's battles with Fembots, themes such as the chosen family, technophobia, class passing, the cyborg, artificial beings, and a growing racial consciousness receive a sophisticated treatment. This book links the series to precedents such as classical mythology, first-wave feminist literature, and the Hollywood woman's film, to place The Bionic Woman in a tradition of feminist ethics deeply concerned with female autonomy, community, and the rights of nonhuman animals. Seen through the lens of feminist philosophy and gender studies, Jaime's constantly changing disguises, attempts to pass as human, and struggles to accept her new bionic abilities offer provocative engagement with issues of identity. Jaime Sommers is a feminist icon who continues to speak to women and queer audiences, and her struggles and triumphs resonate with a worldwide fanbase that still remains enthralled and represented by The Bionic Woman.

Just because they could rebuild her… doesn’t mean her life isn’t a wreck. After Jaime Sommers suffers a horrific parachute accident, her then-boyfriend… Steve Austin… convinces his superiors to save her life using similar bionic parts to the ones that made him the Bionic Man. The doctors / scientists replace both Jaime’s legs. Her right arm. Her ear. And a few other surprises. Now, she’s the Bionic Woman, and her body is faster, and stronger, but much of the memory of her past life is missing. She has broken up with Steve, and no longer works as a field operative for the Office of Scientific Intelligence. She’s moved on, searching for a new life amidst the wreckage of the old. But old lives have a way of popping back up again, and when the recipients of the earliest bionic prototypes are being killed across the globe, horribly murdered with their bionic parts stolen, Jaime has to put her new life in Paris on hold. Especially since it now looks like the mysterious killers are done with the small fry… done with stealing bionic hands from schoolchildren, bionic hearts from spider monkeys, or bionic eyes from housewives. No… now they want the highest quality bionic parts. They want the upgrade. They want the Bionic Woman.

Cyborgs, heroes with missing hands, and prosthetics that allow sight in the blind are just some of the unbelievable plot points in science fiction that began years ago. Today, much of this technology exists. Those without legs can be fitted with bionic limbs so well made they can run marathons. Readers learn the history of bionic limbs in science fiction and popular culture and connect it to the real, amazing science of today. Full of interesting STEM content, each chapter engages readers with the ideas behind, execution, and future of this technology.

This companion to both series explores the shows' histories and influences. Includes interviews with cast members, creators and crew as well as complete episode guide.

Kelly's undercover and a hair's breadth away from getting Naris's security schematics to the rest of the Angels, but the Bionic Woman has other plans -- and a dangerously accurate hunch. Will Kelly make it out of Stoker Security? Will the Angels make it into the Naris vault? Motives will be unveiled and plans will unravel in the third, can't-miss installment of CHARLIE'S ANGELS/BIONIC WOMAN.

An integrated survey of best practices for the management of patients with implanted prosthetic devices and an insightful examination of the epidemiological, societal, and policy issues associated with their use. The devices covered range from breast, penile, vascular, and joint prostheses to cochlear, ossicular, and dental implants, and include cerebrospinal fluid shunts, cardiac valves, stents, and pacemakers. For each device, the authors consider its pros and cons, detail the best current strategies to keep implanted patients healthy, and evaluate the latest and most promising new diagnostic tests, Clinical counterpoints from distinguished authorities at major centers in the United States and Europe are offered throughout. Follow-up recommendations are summarized in a standardized format that allows comparative analysis and lays the foundation for controlled clinical trials and the eventual establishment of evidence-based guidelines.

From the author of The Bar Code Tattoo comes an exciting look at the not too distant future. Mira has always almost had it all... until it all crashes and burns. She's hurt in a horrible car accident, and the only way the doctors can help is to try experimental prosthetics and chips that are implanted directly into her brain. It's a huge risk, but after months of testing and therapy, Mira is back, and better than ever.But soon her friends turn against her as their parents call her on unfair advantages and get her cut from lacrosse and the scholarships she was depending on for college. And with her enhanced hearing, she knows how many people in her school and her town are calling her a robot, a cyborg.Is that true? Is Mira human, or is she somehow something other? How can she overcome the ways people see her and just be herself... especially if she's not really sure who that is anymore?Suzanne Weyn is always at the cutting edge when it comes to new tech and the questions it raises about the world we live in.