"Hyperreality: The simulation of something which never really existed," --Baudrillard
Summary
Jean Baudrillard, a French philosopher whose works run parallel to the postmodernism movement, writes in "America" describing, by either city or location, his observations of the hyperreal society Americans live in and live as. His writing voice takes a diversion from his other work assigned, Precession of Simulacra, in that he writes more informally and more poetic, with a less scientific approach; however, his still uses his philosophy of hyperreality and simulation throughout his observations, “Disney is presented as imaginary in order to make us believe that the rest is real, whereas all of Los Angeles and the America that surrounds it are no longer real, but belong to the hyperreal order and to the order of simulation (12).” Baudrillard writes to his audience of Europeans, particulary the French, noted by pronoun use and multiple observations of one relaying new information to the uninformed (8). Baudrillard does not make a specific claim or argument; instead, he makes notes that relate to his personal philosophy, comparing American to French/European society and undermining the ways the United States is a particularly lesser and more primitive society, in that rather than focusing on creating a deeply rich culture, they have formed a (layman’s terms) fake and superficial society ignorant of true human interactions.
Because of America's distance nature and reliance on new media, they have created a fake reality, unconsciously, but willingly.
Inquiry
Firstly, I would like to point out I read the first essay, Simulacra, before America, and was utterly confused. I had no idea what he was talking about by the terms, nor what he had at all in mind by "hyperreality,"--my initial thoughts were virtual reality and simulated worlds. I had to do some wikipedia search (and yes, it as very helpful by spelling out in non-philosophical terms what hyperreality was. Find it here.) Once I had a better grasp on Baudrillard's views, reading America was so much easier--both in thought and understanding where he was going as a writer, and also because the audience of the piece was clearly a more general scape.
That being said, I have to disagree with Baudrillard's opinions to a degree. I found the section "New York" rather positive and defending of the country, "They say the streets are alive in Europe, and dead in America. They are wrong (9)", and goes into interest of praising the hustle and bustle of the city. However, the following sections are more negative to the people and the cities, basically calling out in judgement that the facade (he loves that word) put up is fake, not at all transparent, a shield to communication. Did he only like New York's activeness, then find the rest of the country a disappointment?
Also, his disdain for these objects that create our supposed "hyperreality,"--and it seems like anything fits here, television, movies, music, magazines, any form of new media--feels a bit unfair. Entertainment is meant to be an escape. He describes Disneyland negatively--personally, that entire portion on Disney irritated me, I can't deny that. He makes it sound that in the end, America is ignorant of their perceived world, and has no real passion for life because we're caught up in creating and living some fantasy.
Questions
1. Do you agree with Baudrillard's theory of "hyperreality?" Do you believe that new media today invites us to live in a fictional world we can't get out of? For discussion, see quote (off the wikipedia page, I found it interesting):
"When I woke up this morning after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed ... gray. It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning," Hill wrote on the forum. "It just seems so ... meaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep ... doing things at all. I live in a dying world." --viewer
3. Has imagination and creativity grown with the development of new media? or do you think it has become a greater stifler?
Posts
In response to the first question, I do believe to an extent that the theory of hyperreality, when defined by Baudrillard is correct. In everyday lives, media has developed a system in which everything we do is through a technological medium. The quote above is a perfect example--this responder apparently was effected so much by a fictional world he personally could no longer find the truth in the "real". In Baudrullard's America he uses Disneyland as such an example, saying that Disneyland is simply a microcosm of a more tender and exciting America (2). He states that Disneyland is designed to create a world in which makes the crowd believe that Los Angeles and America itself is reversed into becoming the simulation. This, in turn, would result in Disneyland becoming the "real world" which is incorrect, and therefore a perfect example of simulacra-finding truth in a world that does not exist. I believe that current society encounters such interactions on a day to day basis, from film to video games. I know my interactions with my guy friends has brought me to this conclusion in terms of war of worldcraft. The addicting game brings people to not only obsession, but also an actual belief that if something were to occur in the "real world" this game would have given them the tools they need to survive. (There's even a community of support online: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/index.xml). This is simply another example of Baudrillard's hyperreality-the game presents a new world which in turn becomes reality but in truth holds no reality at all.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your third proposed question I would have to say that creativity and imagination have grown and stilfled with the rise of new media. Baudrillad makes an interesting viewpoint through which he takes various known American cities and draws out their immense detail. For example in Las Vegas “the advertising is not what decorates the wall. . . that is the empty and inescapable wall of seduction.” The radiant lights and décor lure an individual outside of reality but only temporarily. This is how creativity and imagination have grown, for a society to have been able to create a city entrenched with lights, and such flashiness in itself is an expansion of creativity. We create our own realities. Whether is hinders who we are or expands our potential we are the producers. On the contrary I can see how Baudrillad refers to the development of new media as stifling our imaginary ability. The design of the city of Las Vegas is indeed a hyper reality. The aesthetics paralyze our abilities, making us unconscious of what it really is- a desert.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the second question, it is entirely possible that Baudrillard influences the views of other countries; however, I would argue that this assumption is caused less by Baudiallard's writing than by the exposure of one culture to another. Much of the technology that Baudriallard argues deculturates America actually falls into the category of art, according to lev Manovich in "New Media from Borges to HTML," and art is most definitely a form of culture. Baudriallard's America is less an attack on the lack of culture in America and more a commentary on the misunderstanding of American culture. I do not doubt that other Euopean countries share this opinion, quite possibly motivated by Baudrillard's work, but the view itself is a misinterpretation.
ReplyDeleteReally good conversation going on with this blog--I'm enjoying reading your threads. Also, Ari, kudos for getting a "plain English" explanation of hyperreal in Wikipedia as you worked through these readings--I often consult with Wikipedia and especially with more understandable explanations on .edu sites as a way to prep for tough theory reads. It was good of you to provide the link for your colleagues in class, too.
ReplyDelete