The Self, Simulation and Simulacra

SIMULACRUM MEANS SIMILARITY

Plato's view of Simulacra entails two stages.
The first stage is an exact replica of the original copy. A faithful reproduction

The second stage known as the intentionally distorted stage includes making a copy of the original but deliberately distorting it to give the impression that it is an exact copy of the original. 

Jean Baudrillard, the founder of the idea of hyper-reality proposed for stages of Simulacra.

The first stage, like Plato's view is a truthful and accurate representation of a reality. An exact copy of the original. This is known as the basic reflection of reality.

The second stage known as perversion of reality, is an untrue copy which does not reveal the true reality to us more so an obscure reality.

The third stage called the pretence of reality pretends to represent a faithful copy yet does not represent anything close to the original.

Last but not least, the fourth stage has no relationship to reality. This is known as bears no relation in reality stage. It is about pure simulation with no representation of the original object. 

 

Some examples of Simulacra include: 

'Simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time'(Baudrillard, 1988)

'The simulacrum is never that which conceals the truth—it is the truth which conceals that there is none. The simulacrum is true' (Banks, Carson, Nelson & Nicol, 2001).

Another theory by Jean Baudrillard that ties in with the idea of simulacra, is hyper-reality. The post-modern concept of hyper-reality has consumed our lives and continues to pay a major role throughout society. So what is hyper-reality? 

Hyper-reality is the inability to recognise what is real and what is a simulation/fantasy (Tiffin & Nobuyushi, 2005). Examples of these inabilities to distinguish reality from simulation are evident in media culture, language and urbanisation (Felluga, 2011).

We have discussed simulation and simulacra, now how does the self fit into this? Well have you ever created an avatar in a virtual world or a character in a video game? If you answered yes, then you are one of the majority who has been lost in the world of simulation, simulacra and hyper-reality. 

An avatar, is meant to be a more attractive representation of ourselves. People feel more comfortable saying and doing things online as an avatar then doing these things in real life.

 It is like an avatar is a security blanket. In video games, creating a character to represent yourself and hold characteristics and traits that you think you have or you wish you had is a false representation of reality. Do we lose ourselves in the virtual world?

I want to know, if you have ever created an avatar or sim of yourself and if so, what did you call it and did you represent yourself 100% truthfully or did you alter the truth to become a more attractive (physically and mentally) version of yourself. Did you find that creating an avatar and communicating online allowed you more freedom in things you would not normally say or do?

Signing out for now, see you next week, KM!

References

Baudrillard, Jean (1988). Selected writings. Cambridge, UK: Polity.

Banks, J. Carson, B. Nelson, D. Nicol (2001). Discrete-Event System Simulation. Prentice Hall

Felluga, D 2011b, 'Modules on Baudrillard: On simulation', viewed 29^th January 2014, <http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/postmodernism/modules/baudrillardsimulation.html>.

Simulacrum - http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2003/05/01.html

Tiffin, John; Nobuyoshi Terashima (2005). "Paradigm for the third millennium". Hyperreality:

Wiki-Who?

I remember when I used to catch the train to work, I would pass an area in Redfern where there was some graffiti on the wall which said 'Free Julian Assange'. At this time, I had no idea who he was, and even though I was curious, I did not go out of my way to look it up on the internet as it did not really phase me.

Over time, I would randomly hear his name on the TV or see some headline in the newspaper about it but curiosity did not kill the cat and its only now, years later that I have actually learnt who Julian Assange is and what Wikileaks does. 

Wikileaks was founded in 2006 by Julian Assange. It is a not for profit organisation whose aim is 

"to bring important news and information to the public... One of our most important activities is to publish original source material alongside our news stories so readers and historians alike can see evidence of the truth."(Wikileaks, n.d.)

Wikileaks focuses on leaking secret information as they believe in freedom of information which I wholeheartedly agree with (Wikileaks, n.d). Wikileaks has created a new estate known as the fifth estate, which takes the information from the media and traditional journalists and exposes people, corporations and the government (Wikileaks, n.d.). 

Although I think that even though Wikileaks is making public, secret information, is this actually doing more harm than good? What do you think? 

I also think with Wikileaks being a huge threat to the government that they could plant information that they intend for them to find and by leaking that information it could be quite catastrophic. Although Julian Assange has proven he is quite clever and witty and has outwitted the government on many occasions.

Wikileaks has proven that knowledge is power by the reactions of the governments. They say Julian Assange is a terrorist due to his actions. According to the Oxford Dictionary (2014), a terrorist is one that engages in acts or an act of terrorism. Not to get all stereotypical on you, but below is a picture of a group of terrorists and a picture of Julian Assange. Do you think he is terrorist? 

Along, with the information I have uncovered about Wikileaks, I have come across the term 
known as whistleblower. The people who work for Wikileaks are considered whistleblowers. So what is a whistleblower you ask? 

Wikileaks believes scrutiny of government and large corporations encourages them to improve their procedures and prevent corruption. It provides more support from the society as a whole and as a result of this it improves transparency in relation to publishing information and freedom of information (Wikileaks, n.d.). 

I leave you now with a clip about Barrack Obama, making changes to the transparency of documents. How conveniently interesting considering the timing of everything.

Signing out for now, See you next week!KM



References
Merriam Webster Dictionary (2014) Whistleblower, retrieved 28th January 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whistle-blower

Oxford Dictionary (2014) Terrorist, retrieved 28th January 2014, http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/terrorist

Wikileaks, Retrieved 28th January 2014, from http://wikileaks.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0m6Rxm9vU

PEACE SELLS, BUT WHO'S BUYING?

Personally, I hate politics. I generally try and keep away from the political scene and avoid any discussion of the sense. Now at the risk of offending someone I will discuss politics.

Politics according to the Oxford Dictionary is the activities which are associated with the government. Generally resulting in debates between the parties in power. 

Politicians now have the ability to campaign through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter which can ultimately enhance their image. In the recent US election, Obama spent more money than his opponents on social media and the benefits of doing so are evident in his re-election for presidency.

Social Media is significantly important in political campaigns these days due to the ability to reach a larger audience.  By using social media tools, politicians have the power to control the content (to a degree) that is delivered to society (Kennedy, 2013). 

The use of social media by politicians makes them seem more human, more real which makes it easier for people to relate to them like when Kevin Rudd's cat Jasper died. People felt apart of the experience because Kevin kept everyone updated when they visited the vet. This tactic can be very influential on the political campaigns as it creates a deeper connection to the politician.

In the endless battle of politics, social media can be a godsend and a ruthless tool to enhance ones image and put someone else down. Social media is useful in the sense that when an opponent makes an error or mistake, the opponent has the ability to hone in on this gaffe and share it numerous times to their followers making social media a great and powerful tool for competition. Although I do admit, that sometimes this can be utilised in an unfair way to make the opponent look bad. But I guess that's the world of politics! 

It has been said that social media can be both a good thing and a bad thing for politicians but in the world of politics any exposure to society will be either good or bad. Social media allows politicians access 24/7 to share and spread their messages but this requires the need for constant supervision to filter all content that might be delivered to the people of society.  One issue that the politicians have to worry about is that once its out there, it will always be out there and it will most likely resurface in the future.

Although the constant in your face posts from the politicians, it seems that they still are grasping their grounds and getting used to the ever-increasing technological world that now exists. For politicians to succeed in their electoral campaigns they do not necessarily need social media, however research indicates that social media does have a huge impact on the votes with the messages reaching a younger demographic who make up approximately 21% of all voters (Swan & Vistentin, 2013).

Below is a spoof of the Australian politicians however the video seems to be neutral and targets both the Liberal and Labour party. It is quite funny!

Signing out for now, See you next week! KM

References

Kennedy, K, 2013, ‘Use it or lose it’, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, 22 February, viewed 6 January 2014, <http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/social-media-role-young-voters-increase-future-US-elections-Obama-Facebook-Twitter>

Politics, viewed 15th January 2014, from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/politics

Swan, J & Visentin, L, 2013, ‘Political heavyweights are online, upfront and in your face’, SMH.com.au, 8 August, viewed 6 January 2014, <http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/political-heavyweights-are-online-upfront-and-in-your-face-20130807-2rgpc.html>

Wrecking Australian Politics - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as5OGE1Idng