Quantum screens : nonlinear universes in film and television / Martha P. Nochimson.
| Author/creator | Nochimson, Martha author. |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Publication | Austin : University of Texas Press, 2026. |
| Copyright Date | ©2026 |
| Description | xii, 285 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Intersections: What would Einstein do? -- David Lynch and unmanifest destiny: Twin Peaks -- Terrence Malick's nonlinear book of job: Tree of life -- Outsiders, forking paths, healing oxymorons: The OA, Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind -- History don't teach: The nonlinear heritage society: The Romanoffs, Cloud Atlas, BlacKkKlansman -- Teleology unstuck: The not-so-grand narrative: Westworld, Arrival -- Journey's end: Watchmen -- Real and fictive, scientific and poetic. |
| Abstract | "Although not new to the 21st century, the use of nonlinear time in films and television programs has been growing and becoming more sophisticated, in part because of the increasing sophistication of storytellers as well as viewers who are increasingly well-versed in and accepting of different temporal concepts. Martha Nochimson explores the use of circular, parallel, and multi-directional time in contemporary entertainment by examining various films and television programs that tell their stories in a nonlinear fashion. She draws on quantum physics, Vedic religion, and Esoteric philosophy as well as interviews with many of the creators, such as David Lynch and Damon Lindelof, to explain how to understand these nonlinear stories based on an evolving understanding of the universe. Although elements of David Lynch's nonlinear storytelling were present in the first two seasons of Twin Peaks, which he wrote in tension with co-creator Mark Frost's more Newtonian viewpoint, his philosophy of time and existence was more fully executed in the revived Twin Peaks's third season, which Nochimson begins with. From there, she explores the films The Tree of Life, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Cloud Atlas, BlacKkKlansman, and Arrival and programs The OA, Russian Doll, The Romanoffs, Westworld, and Watchmen. Throughout she examines how these stories' nonlinear presentation--often with multiple timelines, multiple versions of the same character, and post-Newtonian examples of cause and effect--intersect with ideas from quantum theory and philosophy to create challenging, yet rewarding, narratives that open audiences' minds to the possibilities of storytelling in a nonteleological, non-Newtonian world"-- Provided by publisher. |
| General note | Contains mediography. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Issued in other form | Online version http://id.loc.gov/entities/relationships/onlineversion Nochimson, Martha Quantum screens First edition Austin : University of Texas Press, 2026 9781477333396 |
| LCCN | 2025020123 |
| ISBN | 9781477321379 hardcover |
| ISBN | 1477321373 hardcover |
| ISBN | |
| ISBN | epub |
| ISBN | 9781477333822 paperback |
| ISBN | 1477333827 paperback |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | New Books | PN1995.9 .S668 N63 2026 | ✔ Available | Want This? |