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The war was won on both sides: by the Vietnamese on the ground, by the Americans in the electronic mental space. And if the one side won an ideological and political victory, the other made Apocalypse Now and that has gone right around the world.
Jean Baudrillard
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the dual nature of victory in war, emphasizing both physical and psychological realms.

Jean Baudrillard points out that in the Vietnam War, victory was perceived differently by both sides; the Vietnamese achieved physical triumph in battle, while the Americans won the ideological war through media and narrative, exemplified by the impact of the film 'Apocalypse Now.' This highlights how the consequences and interpretations of conflict can transcend mere military outcomes, affecting culture and perception globally.

Themes

WarVictoryIdeologyMediaVietnamApocalypse Now

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the Vietnam War, this quote can emphasize the different kinds of victories that can arise from conflict.

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Laughter on American television has taken the place of the chorus in Greek tragedy. In other countries, the business of laughing is left to the viewers. Here, their laughter is put on the screen, integrated into the show. It is the screen that is laughing and having a good time. You are simply left alone with your consternation.
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The very definition of the real becomes: that of which it is possible to give an equivalent reproduction. The real is not only what can be reproduced, but that which is always already reproduced. The hyper real.
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