Hyper-Reality: The Distinction Between Real and Simulated has Collapsed
We are all living in a simulation, but we just don’t know it.
At a time when digital simulations, artificial intelligence and algorithmically curated online experiences are constantly vying for attention, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s not.
The rise of deepfake videos and AI-generated and photoshopped images all take this blurring of reality to a new level.
These technologically advanced simulations can make it nearly impossible to distinguish between genuine footage and manipulated media, leading to a climate of increasing mistrust and political division.
Scrolling through social media feeds, you’re routinely bombarded with a mix of real and false content, all shaping your perceptions of the world around you.
Well, what if this isn’t a new phenomenon?
A French philosopher predicted this state of hyper-reality decades ago, long before the rise of the internet and social media.
His ideas have been hiding in plain sight and are woven into the fabric of popular culture, from blockbuster movie franchises to online conspiracy theories.
