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When the Sun Bursts


Synopsis


A leading psychoanalyst shares his experiences working with schizophrenic patients to show how effective talk therapy can be as a treatment  

Many schizophrenics experience their condition as one of radical incarceration, mind-altering medications, isolation, and dehumanization.  At a time when the treatment of choice is anti-psychotic medication, world-renowned psychoanalyst Christopher Bollas asserts that schizophrenics can be helped by much more humane treatments, and that they have a chance to survive and even reverse the process if they have someone to talk to them regularly and for a sustained period, soon after their first breakdown. 
 
In this sensitive and evocative narrative, he draws on his personal experiences working with schizophrenics since the 1960's. He offers his interpretation of how schizophrenia develops, typically in the teens, as an adaptation in the difficult transition to adulthood. 

With tenderness, Bollas depicts schizophrenia as an understandable way of responding to our precariousness in a highly unpredictable world.  He celebrates the courage of the children he has worked with and reminds us that the wisdom inherent in human beings-to turn to conversation with others when in distress-is the fundamental foundation of any cure for human conflict.
 

Summary

Chapter 1: The Sun's Fury

* The chapter introduces the dangers of solar storms and their potential impact on Earth.
* Real example: The Carrington Event of 1859 caused telegraph outages and disrupted communications worldwide.

Chapter 2: The Sun's Heart

* Explores the structure and workings of the Sun, including its interior, atmosphere, and magnetic field.
* Real example: The Sun's core produces energy through nuclear fusion, releasing vast amounts of heat and light.

Chapter 3: Solar Eruptions

* Discusses various types of solar eruptions, including flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and solar winds.
* Real example: A solar flare erupted in 2012, releasing energy equivalent to 1 billion atomic bombs.

Chapter 4: The Earth's Magnetic Shield

* Describes the Earth's magnetic field and its role in protecting the planet from solar storms.
* Real example: The Van Allen radiation belts are created by the Earth's magnetic field, trapping charged particles from the Sun.

Chapter 5: Solar Storms and Their Impacts

* Examines the potential consequences of solar storms on various aspects of human society, including power grids, communications, and satellite systems.
* Real example: CME in 2015 disrupted air travel and damaged satellites.

Chapter 6: Space Weather Forecasting

* Discusses the science behind space weather forecasting and the efforts to predict and mitigate the effects of solar storms.
* Real example: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides space weather alerts and forecasts.

Chapter 7: Preparing for the Sun's Fury

* Outlines measures that can be taken to prepare for and protect against the impacts of solar storms.
* Real example: Underground power lines and hardened infrastructure can help mitigate the risks associated with CMEs.

Chapter 8: The Sun's Role in Climate Change

* Explores the potential links between solar activity and climate change.
* Real example: The Sun's output varies slightly over time, and these variations can influence Earth's climate.

Chapter 9: The Future of Solar Storms

* Discusses the potential for future solar storms of unprecedented magnitude and their implications for humanity.
* Real example: The Maunder Minimum, a period of low solar activity, occurred in the 17th century and may have contributed to a decades-long cooling period.

Chapter 10: The Sun's Legacy

* Concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding and preparing for solar storms, given their potential to shape human history.
* Real example: The Carrington Event of 1859 serves as a reminder of the devastating effects that solar storms can have on society.