The Precession of Simulacra
The theory of simulation was advanced by Jean Baudrillard and was based on the concepts of real and unreal. According to the theory, the line between real and unreal is blurred and is referred to as hyperreal (The European Graduate School, 2013). The theory has four stages, reality, counterfeit, production and simulation, which helps in understanding real and unreal. The discussion highlights on these stages with an example of Disneyland.
Reality means something that a person can bear witness of its existence. Disneyland is a location in America and is real. People inhabit it and other structures such as parks, buildings found in many other places and cities. The fact that Disneyland exist is a fact and a reality. Illusions of people created in their minds about Disney are what is equivalent to counterfeits. People create various illusions of how the land is inhabited by charming people. Some of these illusions and imaginations are not real because they are faked through the depiction of the land in movies and own perceptions.
Productions concern the various sources of information and representations about Disneyland. These productions are created in a manner aimed at concealing the reality of how Disneyland is like. This concealing of some of facts about Disney causes hyperreal. People cannot have a clear picture of how Disney looks like. Simulation is the last stage and is feigning to have what an individual does not have. In this example, it is difficult to tell the difference between true, false, real and imaginary. The information that is provided about this land leaves the people with difficult points of view about this Disneyland. The truth or the facts about Disneyland are not well captured. Similarly, the lies about the land cannot be ascertained, leaving people in some sought of confusion.
Reference
The European Graduate School. (2013). Jean Baudrillard – Simulacra and Simulations – I. The Precession of Simulacra Translated by Sheila Faria Glaser. Retrieved from:
http://www.egs.edu/faculty/jean-baudrillard/articles/simulacra-and-simulations-i-the- precession-of-simulacra/
