Jean Baudrillard's theory of hyperreality describes a state where simulations have replaced reality such that the distinction between real and simulated has collapsed. Hyperreality is exemplified by celebrity culture, where celebrities live in a cocooned world detached from normal interactions, and some fans become so engaged with the hyperreal celebrity world that they lose touch with reality. Video games also demonstrate hyperreality, as rare cases occur where players commit violent acts because they cannot distinguish between the simulated game world and reality.

1. Jean Baudrillard’s Theory By Fran Matthews

2. Hyperreality ‘a condition in which "reality" has been replaced by simulacra’

3. Simulacra... When a sign loses its relation to reality, it then begins to simulate a simulation Simulation: The process in which a representation of something comes to replace the thing which is actually being represented. The representation then becomes more important than ‘the real thing’ Hyperreality: Division between "real" and simulation has collapsed, therefore an illusion of an object is no longer possible because the real object is no longer there.

4. Understanding Hyperreality Celebrity culture: Celebrities who reach a point at which every aspect of their lives is taken care of by someone else are said to live in a hyperreal world. They lose the ability to interact with people on a normal level and are cocooned in Hyperreality. Normal people often try to copy this, for example one man who is obsessed with Britney Spears and every aspect of his life relates to her, he genuinely believes that he lives in the same world as her. This is a common case in which someone has become more engaged in the hyperreal world than the actual real world.

5. Understanding Hyperreality... Video Games Play station games which have a lot of violence in them often have a lot of bad press, the media believe that people will copy the actions which they see in the video game. This actually happens very rarely, only a small percentage of the people who play the violent video games actually copy the actions which they see on them. For example one prime example is of a man who believed he was in a game and would therefore gain points by carrying out illegal tasks, the worst crime which he committed was killing his best friend. His argument was that he had been told to do it, meaning that he genuinely thought he was taking part in the game when in fact it was real life. Showing that he could no longer distinguish the difference between game play and real life.