Simulacijas

Simulacijas is a theoretical concept developed by philosophers Jean Baudrillard and Françoisseau. It refers to created representations or copies of a thing, person, or event that are so realistic they become indistinguishable from reality itself. These simulated realities can be thought of as copies of copies, where the original has been fundamentally absent.

According to Baudrillard, in modernist societies the distinction between the real and the simulated began to blur. This led to the creation of a new reality, one that is comprised entirely of simulacra. There is no original to refer to, only successive copies. This phenomenon is said to be inherent in many aspects of contemporary culture, from advertising to entertainment.

Simulacijas can take many forms, such as images, words, or artifacts that are originally meant to reference or reflect reality but eventually become separate entities. These simulated versions of reality become more authentic and influential than the real thing they are emulating. Examples include fake news stories or websites that resemble genuine news outlets.

In its most extreme form, Baudrillard suggests that simulacijas no longer represent the real world, but a reality that is completely free of any connection to it. In these conditions, the simulated versions of reality become the dominant or all-encompassing experience. Critics have argued that this view oversimplifies the complexities of the relationship between representation and reality.

Baudrillard perceives this built-up of copies leading to an enslavement of contemporary culture. The suggestion becomes leveled that modern society has lost touch with what reality means at all, instead dealing entirely in copies.