A History of Fake Things on the Internet

Is the internet a tool for division or a force for unity? Explore how humanity’s ancient habits of myth-making continue to thrive in our digital age.

Digital Myths: A Reflection of Ancient Storytelling

For centuries, humans have used myths to make sense of the world. These stories have provided structure in chaos and offered ways to interpret complex realities. The rise of the internet hasn't invented myth-making; it has simply amplified it. Today’s digital environment, filled with memes, viral trends, and even conspiracy theories, echoes the old traditions of storytelling but on a global scale.

The internet acts as a distributed framework that gives myths the power to spread rapidly. Early memes, like humorous illustrations etched into ancient pottery, were physically shared and tweaked over time. Similarly, modern memes adapt and evolve as they circulate online. The process is similar, but the pace and reach are vastly larger now.

Yet, the digital era introduces new complications. Unlike ancient myths, online narratives can exploit misinformation, blurring lines between reality and fiction. AI algorithms feed off and reinforce divisive myths, creating echo chambers. This doesn’t just reflect human creativity—it reveals how technology can deepen human disconnection.

Examples

• Ancient craftsmen conveyed mythic images on pottery like the humorous depiction of Athena’s owl.
• Social media memes, like viral dances or jokes, adapt to the cultural moment as myths evolved in ancient times.
• AI-driven echo chambers allow conspiracy theories to grow unchecked, fueling collective divides.

Fake News and Hacker Identity

The rise of fake news isn’t a new problem but rather an evolution of humanity’s push to mold information. Hackers in the 1980s embraced “Better, Stronger, Faster” ideals, often targeting news outlets to demonstrate their rebellion. This evolved into modern digital meddling, where truth can be bent to serve agendas or simply to entertain.

Hacker communities, like the “Legion of Doom,” amplified their messages by hacking media platforms and crafting narratives that positioned them as digital rebels. Over time, this experimental hacking gave birth to the mistrust we observe today toward mainstream news. Fake news became not just a form of manipulation but a spectacle that attracts attention.

With every passing cycle of misinformation, the challenge of discerning the truth grew. Fake news exemplifies the adaptability of myths, becoming more elaborate and engaging with each iteration. Today, the line between fact and deliberate fiction grows thinner, resulting in fragmented “truths” that align with cultural or political tribes.

Examples

• Legion of Doom hackers used digital myth-making to enhance their reputation as daring outlaws.
• Media outlets have repeatedly been targeted for scandals to manipulate public narratives.
• Today’s deepfake videos demonstrate how reality can be warped to serve myths.

Photo Manipulation: Shaping History

Long before Photoshop, humans manipulated photos to rewrite history and influence perceptions. A striking example occurred in 1976 following Chairman Mao's death, when Chinese authorities edited photos to erase unwanted political figures.

The desire to alter visuals arose from an ancient habit: reshaping reality to simplify or protect ideals. Humans adjust stories and imagery to align with specific beliefs or political agendas. In the digital era, manipulation has grown highly advanced, making these edited “myths” harder to detect.

Photo alterations today are more than just aesthetic tweaks. They carry the weight of propaganda and misinformation. Technological tools like Photoshop and AI have made editing commonplace, challenging societies to question the authenticity of even benign images.

Examples

• Early edits like that of Lincoln’s head placed on another’s body showed attempts to craft ideal imagery.
• Photographs of Mao with erased factions demonstrated historical revisionism in China’s cultural memory.
• Modern deepfakes distort political discourse, with fabricated media used to discredit opponents.

Creating the Reality We Fear

The predictions of media forensics experts—that fakes would one day seamlessly mimic reality—may have led us to exactly that. When alarm is raised about an issue, attention often accelerates its realization, creating a loop of fear and realization.

Philosopher John Searle’s distinction between brute facts and institutional facts helps explain this cycle. Facts like water freezing at zero degrees Celsius exist regardless of belief, while institutional facts, like money’s value, are created by collective agreement. Prophecies about deepfakes gained widespread belief, accelerating investment in forgery technologies.

As forensic technology develops, humans become suspicious of truth even when presented with authentic evidence. This skepticism undermines trust in visual media, affecting academic work, journalism, and public faith. The tools meant to safeguard us against fakes paradoxically increase doubt about reality.

Examples

• Forensic experts warned of deepfakes decades before they became ubiquitous, possibly fueling anticipation.
• Misinformation spreads quickly as viewers question images’ authenticity, even when real.
• Scientific journals face scrutiny after fake visual evidence invalidates legitimate studies.

Horror Content and Humanity’s Dark Side

The internet’s obsession with shock content reflects a basic human tendency to confront darkness. Sites like rotten.com and 4chan let users freely consume disturbing content, mirroring previous generations’ fascination with freak shows or grotesque public spectacles.

These platforms serve as digital arenas for humanity’s most unsavory impulses. They offer anonymity, which often removes personal accountability. Users are drawn to the morbid not necessarily to support it, but to see and process the extremes of human capability.

While harmful, this horror genre can also act as a mirror, reflecting society’s anxieties and allowing individuals to address their fears. Engaging with disturbing media challenges audiences to question their role in perpetuating these narratives or escaping them altogether.

Examples

• Videodrome, a 1983 film, explored how media distorts perception and reality through violent hallucinations.
• Rotten.com symbolized the internet's raw, dark allure by displaying shocking, taboo content.
• Shock-based myths allow individuals to process their fears, such as war histories being explored through horror art.

Balancing Skepticism with Hope

Technology is neither entirely good nor bad; it amplifies our choices. The internet mirrors this, offering both detrimental effects like fake news and uplifting opportunities like global education. The challenge is to balance our skepticism with hope in the digital age.

Historical fears often revolved around inventions becoming destructive, such as concerns over the Y2K bug disrupting the digital economy in 2000. Yet most fears fade, and humanity adapts. The internet opens doors to unimaginable collaboration and unity if used responsibly.

Hope lies in directing technology toward unity. Online movements like the Ice Bucket Challenge raised millions for ALS research, proving we can harness digital platforms to find solutions and fuel creativity.

Examples

• Early fears about Y2K proved exaggerated, showing we often overestimate danger.
• Free online courses now democratize education globally, making learning accessible.
• Worldwide campaigns like the Ice Bucket Challenge have driven engagement and real-world impact.

Takeaways

1. Be mindful of online information, especially when it aligns too neatly with your biases, as it may exploit psychology.
2. Use social media for constructive collaboration, directing attention to educational or charitable causes.
3. Question the authenticity of visuals but avoid reflexive skepticism—sometimes, the simplest explanation is the truth.