Simulacra and Simulation

Jean Baudrillard

ISBN 10: 0472065211 / ISBN 13: 9780472065219

Published by The University of Michigan Press, US, 1994

About this Item

This foundational work in postmodern philosophy and cultural theory explores how contemporary society has replaced reality and meaning with symbols and signs, leading to a condition Baudrillard calls "hyperreality." In his provocative treatise, Baudrillard examines the implications of a world where simulations (copies without originals) precede and shape what we consider real, blurring the boundary between reality and representation. Through analysis of mass media, consumer culture, and technological influence, he argues that modern life is dominated by "simulacra," images and concepts that no longer refer to any authentic reality but instead reference each other, creating an endless cycle of signification detached from truth. With references ranging from Disneyland to the news media, this book offers a challenging critique of how people in the late twentieth century and beyond perceive, construct, and interact with the world, underlining the instability of meaning in a media-saturated culture.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780472065219

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Simulacra and Simulation
• Publisher: The University of Michigan Press, US
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0472065211
• ISBN 13: 9780472065219
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

This foundational work in postmodern philosophy and cultural theory explores how contemporary society has replaced reality and meaning with symbols and signs, leading to a condition Baudrillard calls “hyperreality.” In his provocative treatise, Baudrillard examines the implications of a world where simulations (copies without originals) precede and shape what we consider real, blurring the boundary between reality and representation. Through analysis of mass media, consumer culture, and technological influence, he argues that modern life is dominated by "simulacra," images and concepts that no longer refer to any authentic reality but instead reference each other, creating an endless cycle of signification detached from truth. With references ranging from Disneyland to the news media, this book offers a challenging critique of how people in the late twentieth century and beyond perceive, construct, and interact with the world, underlining the instability of meaning in a media-saturated culture.

About the Author

Sheila Glaser is an editor at Artforum magazine.