Deep Fake

Deep Fake
(This in no way suggests an agreeing or disagreeing with views recently expressed by an individual concerning “fake news.”  It merely highlights technology now available to all.)
Both Merril and I wanted to watch Foreign Correspondent.  The topic was “Deep Fake.”  We did not know the name for the process before, but we had heard of it and knew how dangerous it could be.
Certainly it can be used for a multitude of things that will save time and effort and the need for a person, but it is the other things it can and is used for that is scary.  The American Intelligence Agency is very concerned about the possibilities.
Wikipedia defines deep fakes as “synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness.”  It goes on to say, and this is the area of most concern “While the act of faking content is not new, deep fakes leverage powerful techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate visual and audio content with a high potential to deceive.”
The show had someone make a deep fake.  It was the compare introducing the show.  He looked so real.  He saw it and said, “I have never said those words to a camera before.”  It is good now but apparently it is nothing compared to what is coming.
It is the damage that can be done in an instant that is the cause for concern.  The scenario suggested was a nuclear power having their leader declare a nuclear strike had been started against another country.  That country sees it and decides to hit an enemy hard with missile strikes.  Incredible damage is done and lives lost before it is discovered to be a fake.
I have a friend who is very much into conspiracy theories.  A decision he has made is based on a photo.  I personally doubt the photo is real, but I do not have the time, inclination or ability to prove it. 
And to me therein lies the rub.  It is no wonder someone has said “a lie travels half-way around the world before truth has put its shoes on.”  Riots and loss of life have happened based solely on an untrue rumour.  When words never uttered are put in someone’s mouth, the potential for damage is astronomical. 
It is one of the reasons I think I need to be so careful.  Simon and Garfunkel sang “all lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.”  It seems to be a part of the human condition that people hold to what they want to.  The trouble is what is held to may be false and merely a part of someone’s agenda.  They are willing to do anything to promote their cause.  By the time it is proven to be false, untold damage could be done.
I don’t see the danger as just a country thing.  Even on a personal level I am presented with many things I need to make a decision on.  Discern is defined by Dictionary.com as “to tell things apart—to separate them, even when they appear to be very similar.”
To me, discernment is more important now than it has ever been.  Countries and groups may be deceived, but as an individual I do not want to go there.