As artificial intelligence makes leap after quantum leap, we are faced with the very real problem of discerning what is real and what is synthetic media. We’ve all seen deepfake videos that seem absolutely real, and it’s not hard to see the threat this poses to nearly every aspect of our lives and of our society. How do we fight back against the fakers?
You might think the best way would be to develop some super technology that could detect every sign of tampering and unmask all the counterfeits. But the major tech companies working on this problem realized that such a war would never end; the bad actors would keep developing new ways to evade detection. Instead, they’ve developed something called “content credentials” to verify that something is the real deal. Rather than setting out to prove something is false, they set out to prove something is true.
There is deep wisdom in this response to deepfake.
Most of the political and religious figures around us are trying to prove that something is false, that some person is sinister, that whole groups of people pretend to be good, but are evil. They don’t tell us what is true and good and beautiful—only what is despicable and must be attacked. It would be much better if they could simply tell us what, in their own humble experience, is the truest thing they know. Instead of telling us your hell, why not sing us your heaven?
Every one of us is tempted to focus our precious energies on what’s bad and wrong. We spend all day naming, judging, and condemning people and things and ideas—or listening to those who do. And at the end of the day we feel empty and sad. The soul cannot live on a diet of wrong. It craves what is right. Like this: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Phil 4:8).
David, this may be one of your best posts ever. As a parent and grandparent I see the media having such a damaging effect on the minds of young and old alike. Bravo for this wonderful message.
Many of us who feel like you do are stepping back from all the media, even the ones that supposedly lean our way. We can show our kids and grandkids a better way.
Exactly!
My grandmother used to say, “Mind your own business.” What she usually meant was focus on what you are here to do and how you are meant to make a beautiful and meaningful life…
Thanks, David. Your words always get me thinking.
That’s a good grandma. I like the emphasis on staying within–and not focusing on what she’s doing wrong, or what he wrongly claims.
Thank you David.
I so want newspapers , every day, to print on the front page at least one headline with an article of a truth that is good – happening everywhere – all the time.
Yes–most all the media run by the same playbook, Left, Right, Center. It’s just, Play to your base and create fear of your “enemies.”
David
Great thoughts for Groundhog Day! (In the spirit of the movie, run it again tomorrow. It’s that good.)
Thanks, Jeff, when I wake up tomorrow if I see my shadow I will re-post this.
Agreed!
Well, that was an “agreed “to Jeff! Your post is another wisdom spark. Thank you.
Love this!
How beautiful David!
Thank you!
Fran
“The soul cannot live on a diet of wrong.” So true. I need to be aware of the negativity long enough to replace it–with things true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Thanks, David.
Our desire for negativity is an addiction. The more we dwell on things that we know are true and good, the less we crave the “red meat” on offer on the air waves.
As always spot on. One also notes that there is grace in not only calling out the good, but being an active participant in creating the good. Evil can’t be met by evil, it can only be met and overcome with good. It would be powerful that in naming evil one also offer the good that overcomes it. Grandchildren over greed. Light over darkness. Actions over talk.
Thanks David, for the reminder in the wake of Memphis.
Good point, Dave—we cleave to the good, and work tirelessly for it! And as you know, it is a daily struggle.
“Nothing Real can be threatened.
“Nothing unreal exists.
“Herein lies the peace of God.”
This is the summation of A Course in Miracles.
Yes—and that’s pretty much the summation of Augustine’s classic definition of evil as something that does not exist in itself, but is the lack of the good (or God), and a summation of basic contemplative spirituality.
Thanks for this insight, Monte.
Today is the Feast Day of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ and I’ve been pondering and contrasting the depths of truth told by Simeon and Anna to Joseph and Mary to synthetic, shallow, and/or news/advertisements that attempt to lure me into things that want to strip me of my identity. I’m almost the age of Anna and that will not happen. Thank you, David, for your wisdom in keeping me grounded in what I know is Truth.
The one truth that we can count on is that God exists and Jesus loves us! As long as I keep those truths in my heart and TRY to be worthy, I can at the end of the day know that, that one truth was there for me that day, and will be there for me tomorrow. The media cannot controls GOD!! Not in my life or my heart!!!!
Thank you, David. What a wonderful post. Today, and everyday, I shall try to think on these things…
Can’t wait to forward to some folks who desperately need this inspiring word.
Thanks for reading, Stephanie—and for passing the post along to others.