Fake Image, Fake NEWS, Fake Trust.
By: Turtle Engineer (AKA: Bruce Rafnel)
Publisher: Medium, Slow Engineering
We have now witnessed the death of almost 200 years of photographic (and other recorded) evidence. Images, videos, and audio recordings can now be easily faked or altered in ways that cannot be detected. Digital technology has made this happen. Analog media is continuous, so subtle modifications can be noticed. However, digital media has discrete bits that are not dependent on the bits around them.
It is time to relearn what was so obvious to our ancestors: the SOURCE is more important than the content. “Do you trust or believe the source?” This can be a personal choice, but we no longer have the convenience of “socially accepted” sources.
Some technologies can “help” build trust, but they can all be compromised. We should never again put unconditional trust in any medium or technology.