With my own eyes

In recent weeks, a growing sense of doubt has taken hold among many individuals who once relied on their own eyes as the ultimate proof of reality. This skepticism, however, is not merely a personal crisis, it reflects a broader cultural shift in how we perceive truth, especially in an age where digital media shapes our understanding of the world. A father, speaking with his young son, found himself questioning whether the images he saw were real or generated by artificial intelligence. The boy, raised in an environment saturated with online content, was already skeptical of the authenticity of videos showing a mother whale nursing her calf or an Asian elephant in a Madrid zoo. To him, these images felt too perfect, too controlled, perhaps even fabricated. The conversation unfolded during a summer marked by intense political and social tensions, particularly around migration. In one instance, the father showed his child a photograph of hundreds of shoes floating near El Tarajal, in Ceuta, a location known for its role in border crossings. The image, which captured the tragic journey of migrants seeking refuge, stirred deep emotions. Yet, the father hesitated before fully embracing the image’s significance. He questioned whether the photograph of a small white plastic sandal, belonging to a child under two years old, had been manipulated. He also doubted the authenticity of scenes depicting a Moroccan child sitting beside a Spanish military officer on the beach, or reports of over 140 deaths in the region during the summer months. These doubts were not limited to the individual level. They echoed through society, fueled by a general erosion of trust in traditional media and the rise of alternative narratives. The father noted that some media outlets have become unreliable, publishing falsehoods or misleading representations that audiences are encouraged, or even forced, to believe. This phenomenon mirrors Plato’s allegory of the cave, where prisoners, bound and unable to see beyond the shadows on the wall, accept these illusions as reality. Today, many find themselves in a similar situation, surrounded by curated images and information that shape their perception of the world. Yet, the father's experience is not unique. Across Spain and beyond, there is a widespread unease about the reliability of visual evidence. Social media platforms, often driven by algorithms designed to maximize engagement, amplify certain stories while filtering out others. This selective presentation creates a fragmented reality, one where truth becomes subjective, shaped by context, perspective, and access. As a result, people struggle to distinguish between authentic reporting and manufactured content, leading to confusion and mistrust. This uncertainty extends to political discourse. The father mentioned the controversy surrounding statements made by politicians, including remarks suggesting that migrants should be hunted down individually. Such rhetoric, he argued, was part of a larger pattern of manipulation, where figures with varying levels of influence sought to exploit public sentiment for personal gain. These individuals, he suggested, moved freely between platforms, using both mainstream and alternative media to spread their message, further complicating the landscape of credible information. Despite this, the father remained committed to engaging with the world as it is, rather than as it might appear. He continued to question, to seek clarity, and to challenge the boundaries between reality and illusion. His efforts reflect a broader struggle, not just to understand the present moment, but to reclaim a sense of agency in a world increasingly mediated by technology and ideology.