Description

As discussed in today’s reading, our sense of body image can be affected by the media we consume. While it is important to eat well and engage in regular physical activity to keep a healthy body composition, many times these messages can create unrealistic expectations about what is possible, healthy, or normal. Following the prompts below, watch each video and answer the related questions. You may want to write your answers in a Word document, or open the videos into other tabs first to avoid losing any work when swapping between the four videos and your response. Note: This videos are provided for educational and discussion purposes and their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement or any statements or content made in any linked materials. As well, please ignore any advertisements that play before these videos, especially any fitness-related advertisements, or advertisements that have a ‘news-like’ tone, or attempt to provide ‘unbiased’ news information. Always rely on trusted, reliable news sources and think critically about the information you receive. Remember that advertisements are designed to sell you a product, idea, or belief by manipulating your perceptions and emotions. First, watch this “Before and After” demonstration of a photoshoot to see how make-up, lighting, and digital manipulation tools are used to craft the ‘perfect’ images we see online and in media: https://youtu.be/318iFsOOWr8 What did you notice change at each stage of the photoshoot video? 1a) No Makeup, Natural Light to No Makeup, Studio Lighting: 2a) No Makeup, Studio Lighting to Makeup, Studio Lighting: 3a) With Makeup, Studio Lighting to With Makeup, Studio Lighting, and Retouching: 4a) What are the potential ethical issues surrounding using Photoshop for ‘finishing’ pictures like this? 5a) Are there beneficial uses of this technology? Then, watch this video that shows how “influencers” use these tools to manipulate their photos, often in order to sell a product, market their services, earn money from advertisements, or otherwise profit from misleading viewers about what is realistic and achievable: https://youtu.be/KkKvbt0LhvQ 2a) Why is it problematic for fitness influencers, such as those on Instagram, to manipulate photos of their bodies in the way shown in the second video? 2b) What are the possible reasons that influencers might mislead their viewers? Third, watch this video that shows just how wildly powerful these tools can be for modifying a single photo: https://youtu.be/Kf8yr0oQ5R4 3a) What was your reaction to seeing Takashi 6ix-9ine’s transformation? 3b) Can you think of any possible beneficial uses of this technology? 3c) How can these tools be dangerous to an individual’s sense of self-worth and well-being? Finally, watch this quick video that shows the progression of these tools to create false videos of people speaking. You might also choose to look up the original Jordan Peele video on your own: https://youtu.be/gLoI9hAX9dw 4a) What was your reaction to watching the video on Deep Fake technology? 4b) Were you aware that this type of technology exists? 4c) What are some ethical issues raised in the video about this technology? Next, read these two short articles for tips on how to recognize fake videos and deep fakes. https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/detect-fakes/overview/ https://scambusters.org/fakevideo.html 5a) What are two strategies from the MIT article on recognizing Deep Fakes? 5b) What are two strategies from the Scambusters article for recognizing faked videos? Finally, considering all four videos in context wit, review the two short articles on recognize fake videos and deep fakes, then answer the following prompts: 6a) What is the danger of these manipulated images and videos being distributed without a disclaimer that they have been modified? 6b) How can developing a passive, critical awareness of these issues help our overall Wellness? 6c) How can we help our friends and family to recognize manipulative forms of text, images, and videos?