Reality, NOT!

Hyperreality is the phenomenon when your consciousness can’t distinguish between reality and simulation of reality.  It is when what is real and what is artificial blended together you couldn’t tell which is which.  There are many situations that really happen, like a Korean couple that let their daughter starve to death because they are busy raising their virtual child in an online game.  In this case their consciousness could not tell reality apart from virtual reality (VR), so they choose the wrong choice.

We also were given an example of hyperreality in this film called “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”, where Sacha Baron Cohen acted as a Kazakh journalist named Borat Sagdiyev travelling to America to study about cultures.  This movie has a concept of hyperreality because, unlike most movies, which are shot in studios or set-up places with actors, it filmed Borat communicating with people who have no idea they are being filmed.  Thus, what people interacted with Borat in the movie was their reality, simulated by Borat.  What is funny about this movie is that the simulation of ignorance of the Kazakh, acting what is called stupid and awkward in America, like walking around on the street, trying to introduce yourself and kiss every on the cheeks.  My favorite part is the driving lesson, where Borat and the instructor discussed on various topics regarding the life and laws in America, and Borat would give some weird reflects of what it is like in Kazakhstan.  It gives people false impressions and ideas towards Kazakhstan.  It makes us think of the way people live there were really like what Borat told us.