In this context I think that your recommendation for a recourse to existentialism, and even to Camus’ more nuanced views of an authentic life in the face of a class-based oppressive degradation of meaning, are merely an acquiescence to the current systems and structures of power, and do not constitute effective resistance to and overthrow of those relationships.
What does Camus and absurdism have to do with class here? The reference to him is meant to be more of an individual perspective (find a way to appreciate moving through the hyper reality). You could do that to overthrow power, create your own structure, or you can oppress others within existing ones. Could you explain how you see the connection between absurdism and compliance with the normative power structure
Beaudrillard’s insights were presaged to some extent by Walter Benjamin’s seminal book, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. It explains that mechanical reproduction devalues the aura (uniqueness) of a work of art, and in our age of mechanical reproduction—and the absence of traditional and ritualistic value—the production of art is inherently based upon the praxis of politics. Written during the Nazi régime (1933–1945) in Germany, Benjamin presents a theory of art that is "useful for the formulation of revolutionary demands in the politics of art" in a society of mass culture. As Beaudrillard’s insights are also bound up in political praxis
See, also, George Orwell’s 1984 for more insight into how the degradation of language’s relationship to meaning can be used as an instrument of totalitarian power and control over thought and speech under fascism.
I actually wanted to use 1984 as an example but ultimately choose not since it's a novel and not research. So I thought quoting it to talk about how suppression of Ianguage night suppress our thought might not have as much weight. I think 1984 is a must read for everyone
"JB argued that our relationship with reality is mediated through signs and symbols — images, brands, information — which have become detached from any underlying truth."
It's really important to remember that Baudrillard's conception of reality is the modernist one. He believes man is an individual disconnected from nature, unlike the romantics through aesthetics, sublimity etc, and seeking a sort of cultural narrative. He is then attacking our ability to get to this cultural narrative. The modernist narrative reduces universals like truth, good, justice etc into cultural narratives. You have concepts like "new soviet/fascist/german/Christian/Jewish man" from modernism as they try to deal with this. "Reality" is ambiguous so that's what baudrillard's conception rotates off of.
In this context I think that your recommendation for a recourse to existentialism, and even to Camus’ more nuanced views of an authentic life in the face of a class-based oppressive degradation of meaning, are merely an acquiescence to the current systems and structures of power, and do not constitute effective resistance to and overthrow of those relationships.
What does Camus and absurdism have to do with class here? The reference to him is meant to be more of an individual perspective (find a way to appreciate moving through the hyper reality). You could do that to overthrow power, create your own structure, or you can oppress others within existing ones. Could you explain how you see the connection between absurdism and compliance with the normative power structure
Beaudrillard’s insights were presaged to some extent by Walter Benjamin’s seminal book, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. It explains that mechanical reproduction devalues the aura (uniqueness) of a work of art, and in our age of mechanical reproduction—and the absence of traditional and ritualistic value—the production of art is inherently based upon the praxis of politics. Written during the Nazi régime (1933–1945) in Germany, Benjamin presents a theory of art that is "useful for the formulation of revolutionary demands in the politics of art" in a society of mass culture. As Beaudrillard’s insights are also bound up in political praxis
See, also, George Orwell’s 1984 for more insight into how the degradation of language’s relationship to meaning can be used as an instrument of totalitarian power and control over thought and speech under fascism.
I actually wanted to use 1984 as an example but ultimately choose not since it's a novel and not research. So I thought quoting it to talk about how suppression of Ianguage night suppress our thought might not have as much weight. I think 1984 is a must read for everyone
Very interesting. Will check it out.
"JB argued that our relationship with reality is mediated through signs and symbols — images, brands, information — which have become detached from any underlying truth."
It's really important to remember that Baudrillard's conception of reality is the modernist one. He believes man is an individual disconnected from nature, unlike the romantics through aesthetics, sublimity etc, and seeking a sort of cultural narrative. He is then attacking our ability to get to this cultural narrative. The modernist narrative reduces universals like truth, good, justice etc into cultural narratives. You have concepts like "new soviet/fascist/german/Christian/Jewish man" from modernism as they try to deal with this. "Reality" is ambiguous so that's what baudrillard's conception rotates off of.