Simulation in Vineland: "it is all of metaphysics that is lost."---Baudrillard

[Mark Kohut]

A few simulations of Pynchon's 'thoughts" after Miller on Baudrillard's: 


Pg. 40 of Vineland.  "Try to read signs, locate landmarks, anything that'll give a clue, but - well the signs are there on street corners and store windows - but I can't read them." . "there's something between it and my brain that won't let it through".---Zoyd Wheeler

Oedipa still hoped for a sign at CofL49's end. Zoyd cannot read/get a sign. (see his dream on the first page as well).

One meaning of "projecting a world" in Eliade, another favorite influence of TRPs, it seems, is of a traditional village's or community's construction of
their Church: it projected their religious/metaphysical worldview. The tallest building around, usually with a spire/tower, it was a sign that the village shared a cosmic worldview, says Eliade. Now, in TRPs worldview here, picking up B's line (via Miller), we might say Zoyd/Vineland has lost its metaphysics. Linked to lotsa "loss' in TRPs work. 

All the ghosts in Vineland, mentioned by p-listers: Like Simulations of the living?  [Probably not what Miller nor Baudrillard mean by Simulation]
simplistically, I'll just observe that ghosts mean dead people and Thanatoids are like zombies. What is left of once being human beings.

Perhaps oversimplifying B's simulation notion again, was anyone else reminded of the riffs/rants on tourist in V.? 

And think simulation when you think about another favorite book of OBA: The Recognitions.