Ep. 249 - Deepfakes and the Epistemic Apocalypse w/Dr. Joshua Habgood-Coote
Oct 3, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Joshua Habgood-Coote, a philosopher specializing in tech’s social impacts, dives into the implications of deepfake technology. He argues it’s not just a technological issue but a social one that requires community solutions. The conversation explores how digital labor intersects with public philosophy, offering insights into trust in journalism amidst shifting media landscapes. Additionally, they discuss the unique role of art in shaping our understanding of reality and the historical context of photo manipulation, emphasizing the need for critical engagement in the digital age.
Deepfakes undermine traditional evidence reliability, prompting a reevaluation of how we perceive visual media as truth.
The historical context of media manipulation illustrates that ethical dilemmas regarding representation and truth have long existed in society.
Addressing the challenges of deepfakes requires social solutions, emphasizing community engagement and the cultivation of media literacy among audiences.
Deep dives
The Rise of Deepfakes and Their Implications
Deepfake technology represents a significant challenge to traditional methods of discernment in information and media consumption. With increasing accessibility, individuals can create highly realistic forgeries of authentic individuals, leading to concerns over misinformation and manipulation. The proliferation of deepfakes raises critical questions about the nature of evidence and the fundamental reliability of visual media in an age where sight is no longer necessarily truth. As such, the ethical implications of deepfakes extend beyond mere technological concern, as they jeopardize societal trust in video and photographic evidence.
Epistemology and the Nature of Knowledge
The conversation emphasizes the distinction between perceptual knowledge derived from genuine recordings and testimonial knowledge that relies on the credibility of the source. Recordings historically have been perceived as more direct forms of evidence compared to drawings or illustrations, which require trust in the creator's representation. However, deepfakes complicate this understanding, suggesting that video evidence may increasingly resemble testimonial knowledge due to the potential manipulation involved. This evolution posits a more profound epistemic challenge: can we still trust visual media as reliably representing truth?
Historical Context of Media Manipulation
The episode provides a historical perspective on media manipulation, indicating that concerns regarding deepfakes are not entirely new. Historically, practices like photo manipulation have existed, where images were altered to misrepresent reality, similar to the techniques seen in deepfake technology today. An exploration of past media practices reveals that ethical dilemmas regarding representation and truth have persisted across different technological advancements. Such historical insights suggest that the current anxiety surrounding deepfakes may reflect deeper, ongoing issues within media ethics rather than a novel crisis.
Social Norms and Reliable Knowledge
The need for robust social norms is highlighted as a pathway to mitigate the risks posed by deepfakes. As society navigates the challenges posed by manipulated media, establishing and adhering to reliable standards in journalism can enhance public trust. The conversation suggests a communal responsibility to cultivate media literacy, fostering an informed audience capable of critically engaging with information. Strengthening practices around reliable news creation and dissemination can serve as a buffer against the misunderstandings that arise from deepfake technology.
Collective Solutions to Technological Challenges
Addressing deepfake technology necessitates collaborative solutions rather than solely technological fixes. Community engagement and ongoing dialogue are essential to developing effective strategies to combat misinformation perpetuated by deepfakes. This includes promoting responsible media consumption and supporting independent journalistic practices that prioritize accuracy and integrity. By fostering a culture of critical thinking, society can better equip itself against the deceptive capabilities of advanced technologies.
Philosophical Reflections on Technology's Role
The discussion delves into the philosophical underpinnings of technology's role in society, challenging the notion of techno-determinism and encouraging a more nuanced understanding of the interactions between technology and social practices. It posits that while technology can influence societal norms, it does not dictate them; rather, human agency and collective decision-making are crucial in shaping technological impacts. This perspective invites a reevaluation of how society engages with emerging technologies, prompting reflection on broad ethical considerations and ensuring that media representation remains a conscious and deliberate practice. Ultimately, fostering such dialogue can promote healthier public discourse around technology in society.
In episode 249 of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Joshua Habgood-Coote to discuss some of his recent techno-philosophy work on deepfakes and knowledge. Some philosophers think that deepfakes pose a unique challenge to human knowledge and thus will require a unique solution, primarily a technological solution like watermarks. Dr. Habgood-Coote argues that deepfakes pose a social problem and thus will require a social solution.
Check out more from Joshua Habgood-Coote here: https://joshuahabgoodcoote.com/
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbTRurpFP5q4TpDD_P2JDA/join
Join the Facebook group, Parker's Pensées Penseurs, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/960471494536285/
If you like this podcast, then support it on Patreon for $3, $5 or more a month. Any amount helps, and for $5 you get a Parker's Pensées sticker and instant access to all the episode as I record them instead of waiting for their release date. Check it out here:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parkers_pensees
If you want to give a one-time gift, you can give at my Paypal:
https://paypal.me/ParkersPensees?locale.x=en_US
Check out my merchandise at my Teespring store: https://teespring.com/stores/parkers-penses-merch
Come talk with the Pensées community on Discord: dsc.gg/parkerspensees
Sub to my Substack to read my thoughts on my episodes: https://parknotes.substack.com/
Check out my blog posts: https://parkersettecase.com/
Check out my Parker's Pensées YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbTRurpFP5q4TpDD_P2JDA
Check out my other YouTube channel on my frogs and turtles: https://www.youtube.com/c/ParkerSettecase
Check me out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trendsettercase
https://www.instagram.com/parkersettecase/
0:00 - Who is Joshua Habgood-Coote?
7:58 - Public-Facing Philosophy
10:10 - The epistemology of pictures
16:42 - Testimony vs. perceptual knowledge
25:14 - How worried should we be about deepfakes?
35:25 - testimony, perception, social norms
41:04 - The Deepfake Epistemic Apocalypse
58:31 - Techno-chauvinism and phil tech definitions
1:16:50 - Interdisciplinary philosophy of technology
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode