Simulacra and Simulations

This week’s reading discussed the dangers of simulation and how society is largely simulated without people knowing. Simulation is when something is copied and reflected from a real truth but is not really true itself. For example, actors and actresses are constantly simulating real life through their performances. If a television programme showed two characters going through a break up, although the feelings and reactions the actors might show could be accurate to how people in this position would feel, the whole situation is in actual fact just simulated to appear like real life. Simulation, according to Baudrillard’s theories, can be dangerous as it is difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. If someone is so good at simulating a particular state of mind then how do we know that they are not being truthful?

Hyperreality was also a common theme in the reading this week. If something is hyperreal, it is always constant. An example used to demonstrate hyperreality throughout the reading was Disneyland. Baudrillard said that Disneyland was presented in the way it is to distract the public from the fact that the rest of America is also hyperreal. Although I do not agree completely with this statement as I myself do feel that there must be some reality and truth in the world, I do agree that certain places which are marketed as being average, real and true are in fact hyperreal. For example, Celebration Town in Florida USA. This town was planned and manufactured by the Walt Disney Corporation. It was based on an idea from Walt Disney himself who wanted to create a perfect community where everyone is equal and citizens would have no worries or stresses about crime or any other unpleasant facts of life. Although this town is marketed as just a great place to live, to me there is something hyperreal about the way it was created and the way it is run. Although, some people would argue that the reason for this is the mere fact that this town is a Disney creation and that every product from Disney demonstrates hyperreality.

http://celebrationtowncenter.com/

I have also learnt this week, the vital differences between modernism and post modernism. Modernism is the idea that there is one definitive truth and nothing else can rival this. There are no questions, just facts and men are the centre of the earth as opposed to God. Post-modernism on the other hand is the complete opposite as the post-modern society questions the truths that modernism spelt out for them. There is no longer only one truth but instead different versions of truth which everyone is free to either believe or disbelieve. As a result of the post-modern society, audiences are given a lot more credit to understand different ways of entertaining for example through the use of parody and pastiche. A parody is when elements of a certain product are imitated. For example when Family Guy used elements from Star Wars in their programme. This is also an example of intertextuality.

Pastiche on the other hand is when elements from different products are put together to create something new.