In your opinion does this photograph of a pumpkin:
- Reflect a profound reality (A picture of pumpkin is like the real thing)
- Mask and denature a profound reality (A picture of the pumpkin is like a shitty version of the real thing.)
- Mask the absence of a profound reality (the pumpkin was a lie.)
- Lose all connection to reality, becoming pure simulation (Pumpkins, as a natural phenomenon, are a lie and this picture I just handed you is just a napkin that I peed on.)
- All of the Above
Source: UNDERSTANDING JEAN BAUDRILLARD WITH PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES
In my opinion this photograph of a pumpkin loses all connection to reality, becoming pure simulation – if I understand Baudrilliard correctly after reading a shitty university translation in Icelandic once. As a picture on a screen it only represents the thing itself, however it is only a simulation. I’m not sure that means pumpkins themselves are straight lies although I am sure that you peed on your screen, perv.
My brother talked a lot about Baudrilliard and I’ve read some of his theories and I realize his impact on pop culture and philosophy. I think rigid, bookish philosopher-types in universities consider him and other “post-modernists” to be a bunch of dudes who compete in saying the most outlandish stuff in a philosophical context in order to get themselves on the news. Still I think Baudrilliard was extremely on point when it comes to modern Western society. For example, whenever people experience catastophres such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks or trainwrecks they will almost invariably tell the media: “It felt so unreal, just like in a movie.” I think that’s what hyperreality is about. Also – he called 9/11 the greatest work of art of all time and he said the Gulf War never happened – both very convincing remarks.
Like Sartre, do you consider contemplation a luxury?
I guess in some sense contemplation is a luxury, that is: education and the contemplation that comes along with that is a luxury. Futurologists back in the day thought that by 2015, no one would have to work and everyone would have time for education and leisure. They were wrong in the sense that we are still slaves but then again computers are taking over more and more jobs. We’re living in a weird time – like living right BEFORE that crazy ass future those peeps a 100 years ago thought today would look like. But we’re seeing glimpses of it now. Sorry if I digressed there.
Are you afraid that everything will happen?
I’m simultaneously looking forward to and despairing over everything happening, when everything is going to happen. It’s a scary, wonderful and contradictory thought.
How do you make an earnest connection in a world of instant gratification?
Love or loathe the people around you and listen to their stories.
Do you think anything is absolute? If so, what?
Ideas, poetry and art!! It’s amazing to influence how people think! Everyone knows the best art and poetry is timeless. Good or bad ideas can result in an endless spiralling chain of events that might end up influencing everyone’s life who’ll ever live. That’s crazy. Life + the world is crazy and we’re crazy. Fuck you, fuck with me xxxx
