Baudrillard and the Media: A Critical Introduction

An In-Depth Look at Baudrillard's Media Theory

W Merrin author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Polity Press

Published:16th Nov '05

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Baudrillard and the Media: A Critical Introduction cover

This book provides a critical analysis of Baudrillard's media theory, emphasizing his relevance and challenging traditional interpretations of his work.

In Baudrillard and the Media: A Critical Introduction, the author embarks on a thorough examination of Jean Baudrillard's media theory, challenging the conventional view that categorizes him strictly as a postmodernist. This critical study emphasizes the importance of understanding Baudrillard's ideas in a more nuanced way, allowing for a deeper appreciation of his critical project. The author provides a comprehensive overview of Baudrillard's key arguments, particularly focusing on his theory of symbolic exchange and his critiques of semiotics and simulation.

The book also situates Baudrillard within the broader context of media theory, offering a fresh perspective on his relationship with McLuhanism while highlighting the significance of previously overlooked influences, such as Daniel Boorstin. This re-evaluation not only sheds light on Baudrillard's critical value but also underscores his relevance in contemporary discussions surrounding media. Baudrillard and the Media delves into his theory of the non-event, applying it to case studies that include his provocative analyses of the Gulf War, 9/11, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as his cameo in the film The Matrix.

Additionally, the book explores Baudrillard's insights into cinema, his photographic practice, and his critiques of new media. By the conclusion, the author offers a compelling argument for Baudrillard's significance within media and communication studies, making this work an essential resource for students and scholars interested in media theory and its evolution.

'Finally we have a book-length study of Baudrillard's writing from the vantage point of media studies. Merrin is an excellent guide to what is arguably the central thread in the work of the theorist of simulations.' - Mark Poster, University of California, Irvine 'William Merrin has written a significant and original book that will transform conventional understandings of Jean Baudrillard's alleged "postmodern" media theory. His radical Durkheimian interpretation, critique and conclusions will be seriously debated in media and communications studies and deserved so. Baudrillard and the Media is essential reading for anyone interested in Baudrillard or contemporary theories of media and simulation, symbolic exchange and semiotics.' -John Armitage, Northumbria University

ISBN: 9780745630731

Dimensions: 227mm x 152mm x 12mm

Weight: 304g

224 pages