Virtual Reality vs COVID-19: Seeing is not believing anymore

The technological revolution is a period in which one or more technologies are replaced by new advancements in a shorter time-frame. It is an era of accelerated transformation characterized by new innovations where rapid infusion may cause serious disruption in society.

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One such technology which took the world by storm is the internet evolution. The growing popularity and use of social media tools such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogging, and wikis have led to a digital revolution.

• Information or knowledge now traverses the globe in the blink of an eye.

As more and more social media channels allow users to upload breaking news, authentication becomes a challenge. Ever since the early days of the internet, people are prone to promoting biased views. They share parts that they prefer inevitably creating incertitude for the readers on the basis of which to make up their [readers’] minds.

Fake news, phishing, shamming, etc. start prevailing in society. What is shared on social media these days can be best described as perception building. There are more opinions than facts. What we imagine can turn into the news without realizing the aftermath it may bring.

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• People view social media as a showcase for freedom of speech.

This brings out a barrage of comments and shares that conform to individual perspectives. It results in savage reactions, sheer indiscipline and at times, chaos.

The consistent dose of distorted news creates confusion and delusion. As an example, some forwarded texts and media shade the facts, prune and tweak events, misleading the mind of a reader.

• One is thus unable to tell the right from the wrong.

In the world of digital media, seeing is definitely not believing. With the help of digital technology, elements or pictures can be easily manipulated. People, faces or entire backdrops can be added and/or obliterated. Social media technology and digital imaging have given limitless creativity but have also sparked a debate on the ethics of visual manipulation and the privacy of people.

Deepfakes for example, have received a lot of publicity for their use in hoax videos, explicit celebrity videos, and similar other fraudulent material. Hence, losing trust in digital news and information.

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Moreover, there have been recent cases of online slander where obscene videos of famous celebs have gone viral fueling the ratings.

• Most of these are followed by denial and claims of digital manipulation.

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This over flooding of messages, ideas and information generate unease that eventually leads to hysteria in the society. One example recently is the circulation of information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

• It’s been molded by social media in a manner that has taken away our sense of good judgment.

An image cited from Italy with several dead bodies being thrown away like trash is actually a scene from an old movie. Similarly, another fabricated video wrongly claimed Russians to be maintaining order via unleashing lions on the streets. The proliferation of such material is polluting the minds of masses.

To make matters worse, lack of basic education in our society provides fertile grounds for misinformation to grow.

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While governments need to come up with an inclusive plan to clamp down on this menace, the bulk of the work needs to be done in the individual domain.

• One needs to respect the rights and privacy of others.

Don’t spread news for the sake of being the first to do so! Act responsibly and always try to cross-check news and media before sending forward.

• Remember to see the world with clarity or else we’ll be left drowning in a confusing sea of information.

Baaghi TV urges you to play your part as a responsible citizen by staying at home to ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones and the community.

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