The precession of simulacra

In Simulacra and Simulation (1981) Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) claims we have left representation behind and entered hyperreality.

He gives four phases of the image: (1) reflection of a basic reality; (2) mask and perversion of that reality; (3) mask of the absence of any basic reality; (4) pure simulacrum with no tie to reality. The map comes before the territory.

Reality is produced by models: media, advertising, Disneyland. He famously said the Gulf War "did not take place" as we think of events: it was a televised simulation. Examples: Disneyland as the simulacrum that makes the rest of America feel real; nuclear deterrence as simulation of war; consumer objects as signs without referents.