Never Post Reanimator: AI and Shared Histories
Jun 4, 2025
Don Carlton, a historian specializing in news media and historical photographs, dives into the technological and ethical implications of using AI to animate still images. He examines the emotional weight of iconic photos, like the infamous 'Saigon Execution,' and how they shape our collective memory. The discussion highlights the balance between nostalgia and shared history, while also reflecting on the unsettling effects of AI-generated visuals on storytelling. Carlton encourages listeners to consider the evolving nature of imagery in the digital age.
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Animating Family Photos Spark Desire
- Hans Buetow watched an old photo of boys in a parking lot animated by AI, with movements and smiles.
- This spurred his desire to animate his family photos, connecting with ancestors he never met.
Photos Connect Us Through Time
- Photographs act as time wormholes connecting us emotionally to history.
- AI animation risks altering shared history, especially photos belonging to collective memory.
The Power of the Saigon Execution
- The Saigon Execution photo captures the moment before a Viet Cong soldier is shot.
- Its power lies in freezing the instant before death, evoking complex emotions.
