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June 27, 2003
Baudrillard decodes The Matrix
Jean Baudrillard is one of a coterie of classical and contemporary philosophers whose work is an inspiration for the Wachowski brothers. Baudrillard makes a virtual cameo in the first Matrix film through a hollowed out copy of his anthology Simulacra and Simulation which doubles as Neo's stash for contraband something-or-other. Despite/because of this tip of the hat from popular culture this master of cows and effect has fastidiously criticized the Wachowski brothers and their famous film for misunderestimating his ideas.
He continues this line of thought through an interview in a special Matrix issue of Le Nouvel Observateur (19.06.2003). The gist of Baudrillard's ex cathedra pronouncements is something like this: the Wachowski brothers have confused simulation for something which can be made concrete (i.e. through a computer simulation) when the truth is that reality is only ever a simulation in the first place. The Flea's gloss on the subject can only echo contemporary Belgian philosopher Jean-Claude van Damme when asked about the effects on impressionable minds of his stupid, violent films: "you're problem is your mother never told you the difference between the real world and a movie."
This snotty and obsequious introduction to Baudrillard has great high-lighter flash animation. I shall not rest until I have great high-lighter flash animation!
Posted by Ghost of a flea at June 27, 2003 09:39 AM
Comments
Wow.
Posted by: Johnny Digital at January 26, 2004 07:39 PM