An Essay on Baudrillard - 2221 Words

Cultural critic? Radical thinker? Critical terrorist? Nihilist? These are just a number ways French sociologist, Jean Baudrillard is described in academic literature. Famous for his well-documented theories on Post-Modernism and the media, Baudrillard presents numerous commentaries on the media’s portrayal of ‘reality’ within society. His theories are extensive and include thoughts and narratives on Marxism and the rise of ‘new’ technology, to note a few. As Richard Lane suggests, â€Å"Jean Baudrillard is not only one of the most famous writers on the subject of postmodernism, but he somehow seems to embody postmodernism itself.† (Lane, R. 2000, p.1) However, the focus of this essay is to explore and explain one of the most significant†¦show more content†¦2000, p86). Where as first and second order simulation make allowances for the existence of reality â€Å"third-order simulation †¦ generates what he calls ‘hyperrealit y – that is, a world without a real origin.† (Lane, R. 2000, p86). Through various definitions and references to social theorists, the terms of simulation and hyperreality have taken shape. In addition it has become evident that Baudrillard’s assertion that mass media are responsible for the annihilation of the real is the main focus of this discussion. However, to simply define and discuss Baudrillard’s notion of simulation and hyperreality doesn’t succeed in the task of analysis. In order to successfully analyse this specific element of Baudrillard’s many theories, it is necessary to look at the strengths and the weaknesses of the case that he presents. Touted by many as being ‘More McLuhan than McLuhan;† Baudrillard takes McLuhan’s theory of â€Å"the medium is the message† and makes it the foundation for his argument of simulation and the hyperreal. Timothy Luke agrees by saying that â€Å"McLuhan’s formula†¦is appropriately the key formula of the era of simulation.† (Luke, T. 1991, p.347). McLuhan presented a revolutionary theory that was widely accepted by, and enthralled many. To have a viable and heavily supported theory as the basis for an argument surely generates widespread interest and trust, to a certain degree. Baudrillard takes McLuhan’s theory andShow MoreRelatedEssay on Baudrillard and the Matrix1177 Words   |  5 Pages is actually a simulated reality. The Wachowski brothers made many explicit references in their film based on the work of French sociologist Jean Baudrillard. In Jean Baudrillard’s essay entitled â€Å"Simulacra and Simulations† he m entions in his essay how society has replaced all reality and meaning with representation of symbols and signs. Baudrillard starts off with an example of Borges tale, â€Å"cartographers of the Empire draw up a map so detailed that it ends up exactly covering the territory (butRead MoreThis essay will discuss Foucault’s and Bauldrillard’s views on today’s society. Foucault sees the1100 Words   |  5 PagesThis essay will discuss Foucault’s and Bauldrillard’s views on today’s society. Foucault sees the current state of the society as a system of domination, while Baudrillard says that the society we knew has collapsed in to a world of images produced by the mass media. Both of them focus on the cultural dimension of the progression of the society and sees society as having moved on from modernity. 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He believed that the development of civilizationRead MoreThe Challenges of the â€Å"Real† and Depth in Maus Essay1790 Words   |  8 Pagesrepresentation in novels, the pastiche, irony, and satire. Fredric Jameson speaks about the movement and its theory in his essay â€Å"Postmodernism and Consumer Society†. He questions postmodernism in society as it creates the new societal norm of popular culture. On the other hand, Jean Baudrillard analyzes the simulacra of postmodernism in â€Å"The Precession of Simulacra†. Baudrillard speaks of the â€Å"truth† and â€Å"reality† also as a questionable representation for the reader. Yet , both critics agree that postmodernistRead MoreThe Moral Principles Of Ethics1352 Words   |  6 Pagespsychology with Charles Blondel, and sociology with Maurice Halbwachs. The focus of this essay is based on the Levinasian theory of Ethics and Infinity. According to the text, Levinas brings together the phenomenology of Husserl, the fundamental ontology of Heidegger, and the Bible. Levinas was influenced by the work of Plato, Descartes and Kant and his work had the opposite views on society from Baudrillard. Levinas views are focused on how ethics, responsibility and actions towards others should