Post Modernism - 'Hyperreality'

'The distinction between media and reality has collapsed, and we now live in a reality defined by images and representations- a state of simulacrum. Images refer to each other and represent each other as reality, rather than the actual reality of it which exists before the image represents it, this is the state of 'hyperreality'.' (something tnat has been distorted and blown out of proportion, is what the audience only recieves). An example of this 'hyperreality' idea, is of the theorist 'Jean Baudrillard', who claimed that 'The Gulf War Never Happend'. Or rather, the gulf war and the World Trade center attacks that came later can only be understood as media events. He sees the events of 9/11 in terms of image, suggesting that this is all we recall when it is mentioned- the endless images, and television video clips all merged into one news broadcast, that at the time was regularly repeated. It obviously was real, however the media jumped on the opportunity to make it a 'hyperreal' event to shock the world. -the edited short clips, photographic images collaged, voice overs of different news reporters, phone calls from people inside the towers etc all added to create this effect.