Simulation threatens power more than real transgression by attacking the reality principle itself

Evidence

For example: it would be interesting to see whether the repressive apparatus would not react more violently to a simulated holdup than to a real holdup. Because the latter does nothing but disturb the order of things, the right to property, whereas the former attacks the reality principle itself. Transgression and violence are less serious because they only contest the distribution of the real. Simulation is infinitely more dangerous because it always leaves open to supposition that, above and beyond its object, law and order themselves might be nothing but simulation. — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 74

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the distinction between transgression (contests distribution of the real) and simulation (attacks the reality principle) — core Baudrillard hierarchy.
• XREF: Connects to the third-order/second-order simulacra distinction and anticipates the rest of the chapter’s holdup thought experiment. — connects to: Simulation substitutes signs of the real for the real itself — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 9; Simulation produces real symptoms and threatens the true-false distinction — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 10; Simulated murder now serves to sanction a power lacking real substance — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 90 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Power reverses strategies when the threat shifts from the real to simulation #expands (0.90) — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 84
• In the simulation order, reality has become the alibi of the model. #expands (0.85) — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 400
• Simulation governs deterrence better than actual catastrophe does #corroborates (0.82) — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 190
• Only simulacra exist; reality itself is a second-order simulation #expands (0.75) — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 184