This book provides a semiotic analysis of 'scenes', powerful vehicles for introducing new ideas, perspectives and behaviours, as a concept. In particular, it examines the types of scene that exist; explores their effectiveness in spreading new ideas; and considers their vital role in introducing originality and difference in modern society.

Introduction 1. Defining scenes 2. Tower Hamlets as a type 1 (time+/place+) scene 3. Further scenic types 4. Scenic capital and the attractiveness of scenes 5. How scenes can rapidly diminish to normality part 1, chainification 6. Simulacra and the really real (authenticity) 7. How scenes can rapidly diminish to normality part 2, tourism, social media and the mass media 8. Keeping a scene, a scene Conclusion

Chris Brown is Senior Lecturer at UCL Institute of Education, UK. With a long-standing interest in the application of sociological theory to the issues of day-to-day life, he has written three books and won the AERA Emerging Scholar Award (2015) in recognition of his work.