I thought that it was a really interesting concept to think about when Baudrillard discusses the concepts of the hyperreal and the imaginary. Particularly, his examples of Disneyland and the Watergate scandal. It really just made me start second-guessing everything in the realm of politics and entertainment -- which is something he probably wants us to do.

Baudrillard talks about how Disneyland works with this concept in its extravagant existence and how its presentation leads one into believing that childishness only exists at Disneyland. Consequently, it is forgotten or rather, hidden, that childishness, in fact, is everywhere. Same point with his example of the Watergate scandal. Baudrillard seems to believe that events such as Watergate is something that is very common and probably happens all the time. Yet by emphasizing the fact that Watergate is a scandal, the public is lead to think that this is rare, and thereby perhaps believes that politics is generally clean and honest apart from these outrageous scandals.

What I do not understand is what the larger message is that Baudrillard is trying to send. Okay, so...reality is hidden, there is no reality, simulacra, simulation, ahhh...what is real, and does he believe that there is such thing as reality?