Jean Baudrillard dies
The French critic and provocateur Jean Baudrillard, whose theories about consumer culture and the manufactured nature of reality were intensely discussed both in rarefied philosophical circles and in blockbuster movies like “The Matrix,” died yesterday in Paris. He was 77.
New York Times article
New York Times article
posted by Richard Stanislaw at
2:05 PM
23 Comments:
It makes me happy that a person whose views of the world, although opposing to the majority of the culture, can still be accepted. I've never read anything by Jean Baudrillard, but he sounds interesting. Even though one may not agree with his allusions of the culture being simulated, it is at least interesting to think about how a lot of what we do is just a more pacified form of what people did in the past. Instead of actually living life, we watch it on TV. Instead of playing sports we have the option of sitting down and playing them on video games. From the arcticle I gather that he was a bright person who was also modest in a slightly sarcastic sort of way. He seemed like the kind of person who was underappreciated or disreguarded just because he wanted the culture to think.
Following the passing of Jean Baudrillard last week in Paris, we should reflect back at his philosophy and ideology in order to fully understand the influential French man. After all, his work was introduced in the mainstream American film industry in “The Matrix”. Without this exposure, most Americans probably would not know anything about this French philosopher.
Mr. Baudrillard is known for his many views, however, he can be labelled as a Theorist of Hyperreality- a term which I’ve rarely seen in most contexts. His hyperreality ideology is an intriguing perspective of life concerning the authenticity and meaning of everyday life from shopping malls to mass media. Mr. Baudrillard was very controversial and often criticized the mass media and our media culture as “the ecstasy of communication” which speaks volumes on our media filled lifestyle.
Mr. Baudrillard’s observations included an interesting commentary on capitalist society where “people bought objects not out of genuine need, but because of the status and meaning they bestowed”. This is especially evident in our culture which is a good or bad perspective of society- depending on your view.
Despite being a critic of mass media, Mr. Baudrillard wrote articles for French newspapers which made him relatively unknown in the United States until his work was featured in “The Matrix” in 1999. It’s unfortunate most Americans did not know Mr. Baudrillard because he often kept neutral within his opinions until it came to the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, and characterized the failure: “It’s a game”. These words are unique in the sense that we’ve never heard the expression “It’s a game” concerning a war- regardless of your opinion of the current fight for Iraq.
Overall, Mr. Baudrillard’s philosophy, ideology and opinions were apparently aimed at the United States’ media and consumer culture without explicitly naming America in his beliefs every time he announced his convictions. He has several eye-opening views about us and we should recognize his criticism of America- This does not necessarily mean we should always accept his view of America. Mr. Baudrillard must be respected; We do not have to agree with his hyperreality theories about us.
I have never heard of this man, but from what I gathered from the article, he seems to be more of a sociologist than anything. Of course some of his ideas of the perception of reality are as interesting as they are abstract, but all of his ideas seem to be rooted in the functions and characteristics of modern society as well as the perceptions of individuals. Whatever his intentions are and whatever lines he works on, he is interesting nevertheless.
-Mike Rudolph
I have never heard of this person in my life. However, since the only refference I have to him is the Matrix, I can only comment on how interestingly unique his thoughts and philosophies were. Very unique!
I cant say much about the guy, but from what Ive read (including others posts) I would think that its kinda a shame. I like someone that is willing to challenge the "normal" views. The way I figure it, if a guy makes me think so much after watching a movie he's right by me. I remember freaking out about what reality really is. If sundin14 is right about him being skeptical about the media and then using it, thats pretty cool. Hell, he's bold. I dig it.
The lecture you gave the day he died made me very interesting to read him. The title itself, " L' Espirit du Terrorisme " My French is that good but the contraction du involves the. The terrorist or Terrorism is my question right now
I have always admired people like jean b/c of their unique nature of thinking differently in other words creativity.The matrix is one influential example.How jean thinks about a world unseen in reality but somehow exist in our mind is clearly protrayed in his grandwork the matrix that what he should admired for our world needs people like him.
This blurring of reality and illusion(theory of hyperreality by jean baudrillard) is also what the fundamental Hindu philosophy is based on..the illusion of Maya that we all live through. its what Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in the great battle of the Mahabharata.Matrix has picked on this Hindu philosophy as well,however, blurring this philosophy as well as Baudrillard's - to make one heady, but slightly confused concoction.
- Krittika Chatterjee
Although I really don't know much about the man he seemed like a really interesting guy. People do not question the world enough and it seems as though this man did just that. It also seems as though he would have been happier if he had lived in a time when material goods did not rule surpreme.
~Danielle Hurley
I really never knew who this person was but i loked up somethings about him. I was very interested in how he came up with some of his ideas. He seems like a very inteligent person and it seems that he impacted many people.
-David Turkovic
I haven't read any of his work, so to me, it is just the death of another out-of-the-box thinker. There are more like him, and there will be more in the future, i hope.
Again..the last post by Tom Banyas (I swear, I'm going to remember to sign a post eventually)
What a mind! I do not recall if I read any of his work, but "The Matrix" rang a bell. It is admirable for a person to not be afraid to step out of the box, promoting originality. We could use more of this in Hollywood.
When Jean Baudrillard's death was mentioned in class I knew very little about him or his work. However, when I looked at the article in the NY Times and the blog posts I became interested in learning more about his work. I had trouble finding an article in English on JSTOR, but I did read some reviews of his work. I found his view of society to be very interesting but am still unsure or his work in general. Although I don’t know much of his work I’m sure his insight to the world will be greatly missed.
John Fellabaum
I am not personally familiar with the works of Jean Baudrillard. However, if it relates to the matrix as the machines are going to take over the earth-meaning that people have caused their own demise, I think it is far from the scope of reality.
Is it his death that matters? or what his death symbolizes?
Jean Baudrillard is easliy the man of this century whom has made the most singnificant contributions to political thought. Its good to see that he has been recognized for his ideas through movies etc. His ideas will undoubtedly be taught in classes for years to come.
I enjoyed Jean Baudrillard’s article, “The Spirit of Terrorism” and I agreed with a lot of what he had to say, but it a little disturbing and hard for me to look past the fact that he seems to admire and praises the 9/11 terrorists the whole article. But perhaps I am just think modern and being controlled by the code.
Only recently been introduced to him and his works and postmodern thought in general, and I find great comfort in his work as he has elucidated much for me in very little time. Another brilliant mind come to cease, may he rest in peace.
I think this is sad, but ironic because by discusing him and the symbolism of his death, we are only perpetuating his theories.
- Kevin Hogan
The passing of Baudrillard is a loss to the world of philosophy. I had never heard of him before this class but after taking this class I have gained a great respect for him. I enjoyed learning about his ideas and reading some of his work. I look forward to reading more of his work and am a little disappointed that there will be no more.
- Heartless Romantic -
It good that he will be remembered, at least for helping with the ideas that the matrix are based on
poor guy
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