Simulation

Summary

In this article, the author discusses the value and difference between the “real” and simulation. He describes simulation as being generated by models of a real without origin or reality and thus making theh hyperreal. He then goes on to analyze it in relation to Disneyland, in that Disneyland is a simulation that presents a false reality of childishness to dismiss childishness in the “real world”. Once you remove the simulation the illusion is no longer possible because the real is no longer possible. He then explains that the difference between the real and a simulation can be almost negligible especially in terms of violence. The actions of carrying out a simulation robbery in a real store would be the exact same, even if the inttention was never to rob the store, you would still be going through the act of stealing.

Example

This article reminded me of the book Maze Runner. In the book, boys are repeatedly sent to a maze, with no prior memories besides their name, where monsters are released every night. Every night the maze walls would shift so mapping the maze and finding an escape was nearly impossible. However, one day a girl is sent up and they are told they will no longer receive new people or supplies. They are then forced to escape the maze or risk dying. When they escape the maze, they learn they had been part of an experiment along with many other children that had been forced into this simulation inorder to discover a cure for a disease.

Connection

I felt like Maze Runner was a good example of media that uses simulation because the boys were put into the maze as an experiment. They had their memories erased so they had no memories of “real” life to break the illusion of the simulation. Also, what happened to them had very little affect on the world outside their simulated reality. In the maze, the boys created their own society and had a heirarchy, but outside of the maze this system would be unreasonable or just ridiculous. The boys know this is not the only world, but have no way to perceive what is real outside of their created environment.