What Is The Distinction Between Simulation And Reality?

The world is dominated by technology; it has integrated itself into every aspect of our lives. This digital technology is referred to as 'simulations' by the French philosopher Baudrillard, and in turn, these simulations within every day life have come to be known as 'Hyperrealism'. This is the inability of consciousness to distinguish between the reality of a simulation and reality itself. This is particularly relevant in advanced post modern societies. It is seen as a condition in which the real and fiction are seamlessly blended together so there is no clear distinction between where one ends and the other begins. Baudrillard stated in his book 'Simulacra and Simulations' that simulations within history, media, advertising, etc have no reference
Simulations are presented as real and the real are simulated. Hyperrealists and Cyberpunks both explore the issues of human experience and how humans get confounded by the two, mistaking the hyperreal for real. The Matrix in itself is another form of reality, with the mind perceiving the actions performed within the Matrix as real. John Berger stated in Ways of Seeing 'The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled. Each evening we see the sun set. We know that the earth is turning away from it. Yet the knowledge, the explanation, never quite fits the sight.' He is saying that we only ever see within the context of our own lives. If you die within the matrix, you die in the real world; despite the characters recognition that they exist within a simulation, they cannot defy the minds perception of injury or death. Pierson stated that “One of the most powerful discourses on computer-generated imaging technologies centres on the possibility that this technology might one day produce images that are so realistic it is impossible to distinguish them from the objects in the real world.” This applies well within the world of the Matrix, as even though when they enter they are conscious of the simulation, the might itself cannot distinguish. Early within the film, the Protagonist Neo learns about manipulation within the Matrix using a spoon. "Do not try and bend the spoon, that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth...there is no spoon. Then you will see it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself." The object, the spoon, does not exist. Therefore it cannot be changed, Neo must change himself. Metaphorically, it's all within his head. It's mentioned within the film by the character Morpheus that physical limitations do not apply within the Matrix. “Do you think my being stronger or faster has anything to do with