HyperNormalisation
The term “HyperNormalisation” is taken from Alexei Yurchak’s 2006 book Everything was Forever, Until it was No More: The Last Soviet Generation, about the paradoxes of life in the Soviet Union during the 20 years before it collapsed. A professor of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, he argues that everyone knew the system was failing, but as no one could imagine any alternative to the status quo, politicians and citizens were resigned to maintaining a pretence of a functioning society. Over time, this delusion became a self-fulfilling prophecy and the “fakeness” was accepted by everyone as real, an effect that Yurchak termed “HyperNormalisation” – Wiki.
Here is my small contribution to “fakeness” – it occurs to me that none of my images reflect reality. The same field in July, December and February:
The same “fakeness” is at play in this video:
northumbrian : light 
But your fakeness is so delightful, Robin. 🙂
janet
Thanks Janet. My “fakeness” certainly does less harm than some 😉
Many years ago I read a Sci-fi short story (cannot remember name or author) that dealt with our history constantly being rewritten to justify the current status quo. It has always resonated with me and I think of it every time I use Wikipedia because its information can be “update” at any time by anyone. Our digital medial is full of “fake” news. We live in interesting times, my friend.
Love that first shot the most. 🙂
Many thanks Cate – at least the young pheasants taking flight in the first image are genuine 🙂 I would thoroughly recommend watching the Adam Curtis film – it’s long but well worth sticking with, particularly for the Sci-fi references. I am assuming it is not restricted to the UK on Youtube:
Sometimes it’s just easier to pretend that everything in front of us is real, rather than deal with the illusion. Brilliant post, Robin.
Thanks Julie – agreed, what can we do about it anyway. As Curtis makes clear, the internet is the perfect machine for rallying people but, virtually powerless to deal with the consequences.
That first shot is purely gorgeous, Robin! And I don’t even like the cold 🙂 🙂 Happy Sunday!
Many thanks Jo, glad yu liked it – my favourite too, taken the height of summer. The fakeness is working a treat 🙂