Snapchat, eavesdropping, and the surgical practices of Dr. Miami: a resurrection of the anatomical theatre

Abstract

This article draws on John Locke’s theoretical conceptualisation of eavesdropping in examining the surgical, representational, and communicative practices of plastic surgeon and celebrity, Dr. Michael Salzhauer (aka Dr. Miami). I draw in part on literature in surveillance and visual studies to critically examine the visual and auditory features of Dr. Miami’s Snapchat stories, which, like reality television, are disseminated to audiences for their consumption. Through a critical visual analysis, I examine how the combination of social media (i.e., Snapchat) and visually documenting surgical practices has helped resurrect the Anatomical Theatres of the 13th to 18th centuries in digital forms through eavesdropping. Five themes emerged from the analysis: Resurrecting the Anatomical Theatre, Cosmetic Theatres, Technologically Mediated Gazes, Clinical Anatomical Objectification (CAO) and Anaesthetic Coma: Digitally Eavesdropping.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque for the grant to present this paper at a conference in 2019. The author also wishes to thank Mary Bryant for her work and feedback on the manuscript and Dr. Anca Birzescu for her feedback.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Franklin Nii Amankwah Yartey

Franklin Nii Amankwah Yartey, Ph.D. (Bowling Green State University), is the head of the Communication Department and an Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa. Yartey received an undergraduate degree from Northwestern College and held graduate teaching and research assistantships at Indiana State University and Bowling Green State University. His research focuses on Digital Media and Globalization/Social Media, with a secondary focus on Intercultural Communication. Other research interests include online microfinance and its impact on women in Sub-Saharan Africa, health communication, media ethics, and globalization. Yartey received the Iowa Communication Association (ICA) Outstanding New Teacher Award for 2014. In 2021, Yartey received the University of Dubuque's John Knox Coit Prize in recognition of exemplary commitment as a dedicated teacher and advisor to students. He was also inducted into the Faculty Hall of Fame.