Really good article I read today. I was already impressed by the first hype of image generators but since haven’t informed myself much. They got really good lately apparently. I can’t decide if I am concerned or impressed. Do you think this would actually be used for something other than memes and misinformation? I thought I might share it and hear your opinions.
I find the author’s reasoning strained. They use flat Earthers as an example of the power of photographs to “prove” reality?
I question the central premise that photographs were ever the foundation of reality. Haven’t filmmakers been fooling us with photography for over a hundred years?
i think its more about the ease.
you used to need a team, then a qualified professional, now any moron can tell a machine to do it.
That all comes up in the article. The core idea the author is getting at is the general ease of fabricated situations is coming in a new way that previously hasn’t been a couple clicks for the average user. Think less about political turmoil (propaganda has existed as long as there as been politics) and more about how your Karen aunt can add a worm to their Google review for spaghetti. Most people won’t learn Photoshop, most people can click a few buttons.
I think it’s still important to consider the tomorrow we’re being thrust into even if we could do this on a smaller scale yesterday.