Manipulated videos and the concept of truth in media

I just looked in amazement at an astonishingly realistic 3D animation of a military robot patrolling the (real) streets of Johannesburg, South Africa. The effect of reality is so overwhelming that most people will accept this footage as a fact.

This raises the question how we as citizens will be able to determine truthful representation in video, or in media in general. The field is wide open for manipulation of all sorts.

With this technology, we could imagine “witnessing” a secret meeting between George W. Bush and Osama Bin Laden. For instance.

Read short review
Download video (16.3 mb, 80 secs mov file)

(via Eyebeam reBlog)