SEEING IS BELIEVING

Really?By Brian Lin, DTM PDG

“Seeing is believing” is an idiom first recorded in this

form in 1639.

It is problematic in

the modern world.

Did we really land on the moon?

V-J Day in Times Square

By Alfred Eisenstaedt 

Did the sailor really kissed a

stranger? Was it taken on V-J

day?

Manipulation Source #1

PHOTOSHOP

North Korea: military training (How many boats were real?)

Iran: Missile(s) Launch. How many missiles actually flew?

China: Government official visit. Who were actually there?

Manipulation Source #2

Snap Shot BiasAn image represents a frozen frame in time. It may not be what the person always does. People can be

taken out of context.

Does Obama love rabbits?

Does he fight for animal rights?

Does Bush eat cats?

Has the Prince Cheated? When?

Was this taken when Justin Bieber was arrested for drunk driving?

Manipulation Source #3

Story Bias

You can spin a story in many ways to your advantage.

What stories can you tell from just looking at this picture?

Is peace really in sight? What else can this photo tell us?

What is this all about?

Jamie LynneGrumet

photographed by Martin Schoeller 

CONCLUSION:

Image cannot always be trusted. It is up to the seer to determine what story s/he will

believe.

What you see may not be what it was. Always keep an open mind.