Hyperreality
How Hyperreality Shapes Everyday Life
Hyperreality, a term explored by French philosopher Jean Baudrillard, describes a condition where the boundaries between reality and simulation blur until they are nearly indistinguishable. In this state, signs and images do not merely represent reality but actively shape and replace it. Rather than interacting directly with the “real,” people increasingly engage with versions of reality mediated through symbols, technology, and media.
Social Media and the Curated Self
Individuals often experience hyperreality in everyday life without realising it. For instance, on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, people curate their identities through carefully selected photos, filters, and captions. The online persona may only partially reflect their actual life, yet it becomes the dominant way others—and even they themselves—perceive their identity. Over time, the curated self can feel more “real” than lived experience. Similarly, dating apps encourage individuals to present themselves through images and short bios, compressing complex personalities into easily consumable symbols. The experience of meeting someone online may feel more significant than the encounter with the actual person, who may or may not align with their digital projection.
Consumer culture provides another example. Many people buy products not solely for their utility but for the image they project. Wearing designer clothing, for instance, is often less about the garment’s quality and more about embodying the lifestyle, status, or aesthetic associated with the brand. A person drinking a luxury coffee brand may be consuming not just caffeine but also the identity tied to sophistication or success that the brand symbolises.
Consumerism and the Power of Images
Even leisure activities reflect hyperreality. Visiting theme parks, travelling to “Instagrammable” destinations, or engaging with immersive video games can feel more rewarding than unmediated experiences. These environments often present heightened, polished versions of reality that individuals embrace as meaningful. In these ways, hyperreality permeates daily life, shaping how people construct their identities, relationships, and aspirations.
So how do we get over this?
1. Be honest online
Social media encourages people to show only the best parts of their lives—perfect photos, exciting trips, constant happiness. One way to push back is by being more honest. That doesn’t mean oversharing, but it does mean showing real moments, not just highlights. If you post, try not to worry about likes or how “aesthetic” it looks. The goal is to stay connected, not to perform.
2. Spend more time offline
Phones and screens aren’t bad in themselves, but when every spare moment is filled with scrolling, it’s easy to forget what real life feels like. Taking breaks—like going for a walk without headphones, having dinner without checking your phone, or even leaving your phone in another room for an hour—helps reset your sense of what’s real.
3. Notice when you’re being sold an image
Ads don’t just sell products—they sell lifestyles. Luxury coffee, expensive sneakers, or fitness programs often promise a feeling, not just a thing. When you notice this, it’s easier to ask: Do I actually want this, or do I just like what it represents? That pause makes it easier to spend money and energy on things that actually matter to you.
4. Have real conversations
Texting and DMs are convenient, but they flatten communication. Face-to-face conversations or even phone calls offer tone, nuance, and connection that online chats can’t match. Making time for real conversations—even short ones—helps you stay grounded in real relationships instead of digital versions of them.
5. Do things just for yourself
Not everything has to be posted or shared. Cooking a meal, reading a book, going for a run, or even just sitting quietly can be valuable even if no one sees it. Doing things without an audience reminds you that life doesn’t have to be performed to be meaningful.