In "The Mirror of Production" Baudrillard offers exploration of labor, value, production, and Marxist theory. The article begins by examining the realm of play as the ultimate fulfillment of human rationality and the pinnacle of man's interaction with nature. Baudrillard emphasizes that play can only thrive when rooted in the dominance of necessity, and it always represents an artistic sublimation of the constraints imposed by labor.
As the article progresses, it delves into the dichotomy between work and nonwork, discussing the allure of nonwork and the concept of free time. However, Baudrillard argues that even in the pursuit of nonwork, individuals are still bound by the repressive desublimation of labor power, unable to truly escape the realm of labor and value.
The passage then delves into the intricacies of the hieroglyph of value within Marxist theory and the crucial role of labor in the creation of material wealth. Baudrillard questions whether Marx's conception of labor encompasses more than the mere production of useful ends, suggesting that labor is inherently intertwined with the rationalization of sexuality and nature.
Furthermore, the article challenges the tendency to universalize Marxist concepts, such as labor and production, as objective realities. It argues that applying these concepts to primitive societies is misguided, as these societies operate outside the realm of value and symbolic exchange.
Finally, the text concludes by advocating for a shift in analysis, proposing a focus on symbolic exchange and its theory. Baudrillard urges a critique of the metaphysics of the signifier and the code, calling for a reevaluation of the critique of political economy and a deeper exploration of the dynamics of symbolic exchange.
In summary, Baudrillard's "The Mirror of Production" investigates the relationship between labor, value, and production within Marxist theory. It challenges the universalization of Marxist concepts and urges a reexamination of the critique of political economy, emphasizing the importance of symbolic exchange as a crucial area of analysis.