the referential reality problem

The referential reality of synthetic content…

…is constructed and determined by a (human) ‘judge’ comparing their expectations to the outcome (output).

If the result meets expectations –> human decision:

• stated facts seem correct
• style is satisfactory
• the result is fine
• “the text seems a satisfactory reflection about external reality”
• we can publish it

If the result is lacking –> human decision:

• stated facts are insufficient or inconsistent
• statements are false or nonsensical
• the text “sounds weird”
• we cannot publish it like it is [1]

[1] Viidalepp, Auli. 2022. “The Semiotic Functioning of Synthetic Media.” Információs Társadalom 22 (4): 109–18. https://doi.org/10.22503/inftars.XXII.2022.4.9.