Photographs: The Good and the Bad

    This week,  we discussed the validity of photographs. From our discussion, I've concluded that photographs can speak to a wider audience, preserve memories, and document important historical instances if used properly. 

    Photographs allow us to reflect on what we looked like years ago, look at how we changed, and put our lives into perspective. They make us understand how fast time goes by and encourage us to live life to the fullest. One of my favorite things to do is look at old photo albums with my family, as they talk about what was happening while that specific picture was being taken. Photographs allow for people to connect with each other, and are sometimes therapeutic. Also, photographs speak more than words do. They appeal to an audience so broad no language can compare with. For example, a beautifully written excerpt about a relevant topic in the most frequently spoken language on this planet will appeal to 20% of the people on Earth. Whereas, a picture appeals to everyone on this planet. 

    Though, despite the many positive aspects of photographs, they can also be deceitful. With AI emerging, it is becoming easier to develop harmful images that can be used to seriously harm other individuals. An example that comes to mind is the explicit AI-generated images of Taylor Swift that spread across the internet. This is a prime example of how photographs can be used to harm others and an example of how photographs can be used to spread information that is not true. So, it is important to be aware of how we make use of this tool and use it responsibly.