Jean Baudrillard: Postmodernism
1] Historical Context
Postmodern theory emerged at the end of the enlightenment period in Europe. The roots of postmodern theory are within the switch from traditional societies where magic and religion were the main sources of explanation for social phenomena to a new meta-narrative which was, science and ration thought. Meta-narratives are beliefs that offer people hope and guidance they are the “big story” and it represents an explanation for everything. A key event that pushed the shift from modern to postmodern were the events in France in In May 1968 there were protests, sit ins and riots that brought the economy of France to a stand-still. The French Social revolution changed the education system as well. …show more content…
He was born in France in 1929. He was a professor at the University of Paris X Nanterre for Sociology. Baudrillard's focus and most famous theories were that of hyperreality, the inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from simulation of reality. This was heightened by his interest in the media. Since we are constantly bombarded with images and messages by the media telling us to consume, consume, consume. In his theory; we do not buy products because we like them. We buy products and items because we want an identity. The media impacts us heavily to tell us what is desirable, and we all want to be noticed for one reason or …show more content…
Before the three stages there is a pre-simulation age. This pre-stage is symbolic order, is a basic reality, signs are stable and reflect this basic reality, during this pre-stag is, “the question of reality doesn’t arise (Mann, Online).” The first true phase of simulacra is Counterfeit this took place in the Modern era (Renaissance to the Industrial revolution). During this phase all aspects of social life are made up of signs. Signs are not just a symbol themselves, but they are apart of a larger system. The second phase is that of production, takes place from the Industrial Revolution to the mid-20th century. This stage is when technology has a ruling force, production surpasses the symbol and administrates the presence and duplication of signs production, the partnership between production and fins are reversed during this stage. The second stage of simulacrum simplifies the problem by the absorption of appearance, or by the liquidation of the real (Baudrillard 1983: 94-95). The third and, final stage of Simulacra is Simulation- the present time. Throughout this stage simulacrum does not have a relationship with any kind of reality, simulation can replace an original object because of its ability to replicate it. At this point things such as the brands you wear, the car your drive are symbols of you as an individual. The last stage is, “The death of the real: no more counterfeits or
1] Historical Context
Postmodern theory emerged at the end of the enlightenment period in Europe. The roots of postmodern theory are within the switch from traditional societies where magic and religion were the main sources of explanation for social phenomena to a new meta-narrative which was, science and ration thought. Meta-narratives are beliefs that offer people hope and guidance they are the “big story” and it represents an explanation for everything. A key event that pushed the shift from modern to postmodern were the events in France in In May 1968 there were protests, sit ins and riots that brought the economy of France to a stand-still. The French Social revolution changed the education system as well. …show more content…
He was born in France in 1929. He was a professor at the University of Paris X Nanterre for Sociology. Baudrillard's focus and most famous theories were that of hyperreality, the inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from simulation of reality. This was heightened by his interest in the media. Since we are constantly bombarded with images and messages by the media telling us to consume, consume, consume. In his theory; we do not buy products because we like them. We buy products and items because we want an identity. The media impacts us heavily to tell us what is desirable, and we all want to be noticed for one reason or …show more content…
Before the three stages there is a pre-simulation age. This pre-stage is symbolic order, is a basic reality, signs are stable and reflect this basic reality, during this pre-stag is, “the question of reality doesn’t arise (Mann, Online).” The first true phase of simulacra is Counterfeit this took place in the Modern era (Renaissance to the Industrial revolution). During this phase all aspects of social life are made up of signs. Signs are not just a symbol themselves, but they are apart of a larger system. The second phase is that of production, takes place from the Industrial Revolution to the mid-20th century. This stage is when technology has a ruling force, production surpasses the symbol and administrates the presence and duplication of signs production, the partnership between production and fins are reversed during this stage. The second stage of simulacrum simplifies the problem by the absorption of appearance, or by the liquidation of the real (Baudrillard 1983: 94-95). The third and, final stage of Simulacra is Simulation- the present time. Throughout this stage simulacrum does not have a relationship with any kind of reality, simulation can replace an original object because of its ability to replicate it. At this point things such as the brands you wear, the car your drive are symbols of you as an individual. The last stage is, “The death of the real: no more counterfeits or