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terafloptoday at 2:31 PM5 repliesview on HN

The short-term goal of a tool like this is to sell products. The more ambitious long-term goal is to shift cultural norms, blurring the lines between advertising and reality until the question you're asking is no longer consciously asked. At least, not by average people, and not at the point of purchase.

I find it easy to envision a world, maybe 50 years from now, in which the very concept of "truth in advertising" is viewed as a lost, idyllic fantasy. Something people are nostalgic for, but feel powerless to regain.


Replies

supern0vatoday at 6:51 PM

>I find it easy to envision a world, maybe 50 years from now, in which the very concept of "truth in advertising" is viewed as a lost, idyllic fantasy. Something people are nostalgic for, but feel powerless to regain.

Alternatively, perhaps we'll see models fine-tuned or steer-able towards accuracy that customers can themselves use to get a more honest view on what the product would look like in person.

The funny thing about these tools is that they can go either direction, but it sure seems like there's the potential for it empower individuals and shift the balance. Clothing sales shifting online has given sellers the advantage/ease to deceive without much customers can do other than hope the reviews aren't manipulated (they are) even before AI. Maybe this can turn things around as people start to shop with personal agents.

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dataflowtoday at 2:55 PM

> I find it easy to envision a world, maybe 50 years from now, in which the very concept of "truth in advertising" is viewed as a lost, idyllic fantasy.

From what I hear (fact-check, etc. needed) that's already the case right now with much more consequential transactions, like renting real estate in NYC. Square footages that are blatant lies, etc.

ElProlactintoday at 6:14 PM

> I find it easy to envision a world, maybe 50 years from now, in which the very concept of "truth in advertising" is viewed as a lost, idyllic fantasy.

There hasn't been "truth in advertising" for many, many years. The only thing that has changed recently is that you don't even have to hide most of the lies.

palmoteatoday at 3:42 PM

> I find it easy to envision a world, maybe 50 years from now, in which the very concept of "truth in advertising" is viewed as a lost, idyllic fantasy. Something people are nostalgic for, but feel powerless to regain.

It's infuriating the amount of effort people will expend to claim that what was achieved in the past is literally impossible to do now. It's pervasive, especially from allegedly-smart people like software engineers.

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verisimitoday at 3:00 PM

> I find it easy to envision a world, maybe 50 years from now, in which the very concept of "truth in advertising" is viewed as a lost, idyllic fantasy.

I find it easy now!