The dual status of the simulacrum in contemporary Western culture

The article examines the phenomenon of the simulacrum in contemporary culture, highlighting its dual status as both a necessary illusion and a potentially destructive mechanism. Particular attention is given to the problem of meaning perception in conditions of hyperreality, where signs begin to generate meanings independently, without relying on human subjectivity. The study explores key philosophical and psychological approaches to understanding the nature of meaning, including the concepts of Jean Baudrillard, Viktor Frankl, Dmitry Leontiev, and Noam Chomsky. Socio-cultural and power mechanisms of meaning formation are analyzed, along with their influence on individual and collective consciousness. Special emphasis is placed on the role of media as an instrument for fabricating meanings, managing collective memory, and constructing historical narratives. The impact of digital technologies on the process of interpreting the past and present is examined, as well as their ability to set the boundaries of public discourse. In a reality where meaning becomes an object of manipulation, the question arises regarding its adaptive function and the possibility of conscious management of semantic constructions. The paradoxical nature of the simulacrum is emphasized: on the one hand, it supports social stability, while on the other, it blurs the boundaries between truth and fiction. The conclusion considers perspectives on reinterpreting the simulative nature of meanings and their impact on the future of culture. A hypothesis is proposed regarding a possible «natural selection of signs», in which critically minded individuals and communities may consciously choose constructive narratives that foster personal development and social stability.