Show for Dec. 4, 2011. Hany Farid: Reality in the Age of Photoshop.
Inspired by my recent back-and-forth with Errol Morris on truth and deception in photography, I explored the subject further this week with digital forensics specialist Hany Farid. Hany is an expert on photo fakery and develops tools for detecting whether and how much pictures have been ginned up by, say, advertisers hawking beauty products. He’s testified about the veracity of photos in court cases, uncovered audacious forgeries, and helped authenticate some iconic images. We had a fascinating conversation about the ways digital retouching has altered our relation to photography, sowed confusion in the legal system, altered our body images, and sparked a race between the technologies of authentication (such as Hany develops) and tools for photo manipulation (such as Photoshop).
Which image is the fake? Honest Abe, Lee Harvey Oswald,
Buzz Aldrin and Hany Farid.
Find out the truth about some other famous photos at Hany Farid’s website.
You can download the MP3 here (if using a Mac, control-click the link and choose “Save Link As…” If using a PC, right-click and choose Save Target As…”)
Show for June 20, 2010. The Computer As Creator: David Cope’s Algorithmic Music
It’s been almost 30 years since composer David Cope began teaching computers to write music. His experiments remain some of most startling examples of machine intelligence treading on traditional human turf. Cope’s programs can analyze and replicate the styles of actual composers, from Bach to Rachmaninoff, and also create original modernist pieces. His experiments have delighted some listeners and enraged others, who say he is mechanizing music. In any case, his work raises serious questions about creativity, inspiration and human uniqueness. In this interview, Dave Cope shares his music (including his latest CD), describes his methods and aims, and speculates on why some people find it all so very unsettling.
Click the arrow above to listen. If you don’t have Flash player or have other playback problems, click this link for the MP3.
