Based upon the philosophy of Jean Baudrillard

The postmodern world = mass communication, mass media, and the proliferation, across all boundaries, of signs (signifiers).

The image, the symbol, icon (the signifier) precedes the meaning (signified) Signifier becomes more important than the signified

Any concept of the real, or of meaning, or of history, has been eroded

Jean Baudrillard – postmodern philosopher, introduces the idea of “the simulacra of simulation” A “hyperreal” or simulacrum – a copy with no original

Coins the phrase “desert of the real” – means that the imitation is more vital and believable than the original

The original is rotting, decaying

Simulacra are diabolical, meant to control humans by trapping them into believing that the simulation is real; to make humans so dependent upon the simulation that they cannot live without it, and exist only to guarantee its survival.

Humans are unconscious/unaware of the simulation and its control over them.

Humans are not individuals in the system, but are just another brick in the wall.

Can you live happily without the simulations provided by your cell phone, television, or Internet connection?

A sect of Christianity based on the Gospel of Thomas that believes:

• God is transcendent, and between Him and humans are many demigods, called aeons. Some are good, some evil.

• This world is false and evil.

• It was created by a trickster aeon to manipulate and control humans.

• Humans somehow retain some of the divine spark from God.

• Humans can find salvation through self-knowledge.

• A Redeemer came to save humans, by giving them knowledge of the deception.

Epistemology is the study of knowledge. But how can we know what is or is not real? If all that we have ever experienced is this world, how do we know it’s the real one or not?

If the image is more real than the real, then how do we tell what is real and which is not?

Does it even matter? If simulation is better than reality, do

we even want to bother with the real?

What is “real,” anyway? Is a simulation perceptually any less real?

Imagine:The real world is filled with poverty,

sickness, bad grades, college rejection letters, bad hair days, etc., etc.

The simulated world offers beauty, riches, luxury, social status, delicious donuts, etc., etc.

Which would you choose?

Because the postmodern era is concerned with Mass-produced images The triumph of simulacra The cynicism that questions definitions

of reality and truth. Whoa.