In the reading The Spirit of Terrorism by Baudrillard, he addresses simulacra and simulation. Simulacra are copies of images or a reflection of something that no longer exists. On the other hand, Baudrillard describes simulation as being an imitation of reality.
For example, making a copy of the Mona Lisa would be simulacra and playing the video game Grand Theft Auto would be simulation. Quite often, the images that the media captures and exposes to us are the realities of what we might think are only seen in simulations. In addition, when one frightening story captured, all of the media sources copy it. These copies are simulacra that instill fear in our heads. The simulacra that the media portrays as being reality generates an unknown fear that simulation could turn into reality. In fact, a student from Auburn University recently stole a truck, kidnapped a woman, and hit 9 parked cars to see what the simulation video game, Grand Theft Auto, would be like in real life. Blending simulation and reality is the media that gets reactions and causes viewers to worry. I believe this reading was timely with Halloween coming up because the fear we feel from Halloween is only generated from simulation and simulacra. Masks like the Jason's from Friday the 13th might not be scary without these images and stories in our head. Simulation and simulacra help expand and share the possibilities of reality. In addition, not all simulation evokes terror. Some simulation can help teach skills and spark creativity in others. Many famous painters today started their careers painting like other artists. These concepts can be used in many examples, but more importantly they are necessary for creativity and growth. Unfortunately, our media texts tend to focus on fear instead of the benefits from these ideas.
For example, making a copy of the Mona Lisa would be simulacra and playing the video game Grand Theft Auto would be simulation. Quite often, the images that the media captures and exposes to us are the realities of what we might think are only seen in simulations. In addition, when one frightening story captured, all of the media sources copy it. These copies are simulacra that instill fear in our heads. The simulacra that the media portrays as being reality generates an unknown fear that simulation could turn into reality. In fact, a student from Auburn University recently stole a truck, kidnapped a woman, and hit 9 parked cars to see what the simulation video game, Grand Theft Auto, would be like in real life. Blending simulation and reality is the media that gets reactions and causes viewers to worry. I believe this reading was timely with Halloween coming up because the fear we feel from Halloween is only generated from simulation and simulacra. Masks like the Jason's from Friday the 13th might not be scary without these images and stories in our head. Simulation and simulacra help expand and share the possibilities of reality. In addition, not all simulation evokes terror. Some simulation can help teach skills and spark creativity in others. Many famous painters today started their careers painting like other artists. These concepts can be used in many examples, but more importantly they are necessary for creativity and growth. Unfortunately, our media texts tend to focus on fear instead of the benefits from these ideas.
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