Just came across this book - The Gulf War Did Not Take Place by...
Just came across this book - The Gulf War Did Not Take Place by Jean Baudrillard - which was an inspiration for the title of This Book Does Not Exist.
The content had an impact, as well. In the book, Baudrillard argues that the technology-driven, television-transmitted nature of the Gulf War limited the tangible effects of the conflict on the soldiers and on the public. If the war was observed on TV screens and fought largely in the air with video game-like missiles and bombings then it did not really take place. At least that was Baudrillard's high-minded theory.
Of course, the Gulf War really did take place. People were killed. Soldiers were deeply affected. But I think Baudrillard hit on something critical about the era that was just beginning when his book was published in 1991. That is, technology is changing the fabric of interpersonal relationships.
If you've read TBDNE, then you know that theme plays a big role in the narrative.
I read The Gulf War Did Not Take Place in college. I guess some things never get away from you.
Mike
