The Hyperreal

The hyperreal refers to a state or environment where reality is replaced or exaggerated by simulations, images, or representations that seem more authentic or meaningful than actual reality. It’s a concept from philosophy and cultural theory, notably discussed by Jean Baudrillard, highlighting how media, advertising, and digital technology create copies or illusions that feel more real than real life itself. In the hyperreal, distinctions between reality and fiction blur, leading us to experience simulations as genuine, shaping perceptions, identities, and social relationships in ways that challenge traditional notions of authenticity.