AI Confusion Nearly Derails Reddit’s Quest to Unmask ‘Celebrity Number Six’

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Reddit's Triumph in Identifying 'Celebrity Number Six' Nearly Ended in Disaster Due to AI

The digital realm is filled with mysteries, some with deep, serious implications—like the intense investigations by Serial podcast fans into Adnan Syed's case, or the efforts to solve the enigma surrounding the “Mostly Harmless” hiker. Yet, for every such mystery, there's an equal measure of lighthearted online intrigue. Examples include the quest for the original “Backrooms” photograph and solving the Cicada 3301 codes. Many of these puzzles have been unraveled recently, with the latest achievement being the revelation of the person behind Celebrity Number Six.

The origins of online enigmas often involve elaborate histories, but let's condense this story. For around half a decade, a community of several thousand Reddit users has embarked on a quest to identify an individual referred to solely as Celebrity Number Six, or C6. This search began when a user by the name of TontsaH shared a photo featuring a piece of cloth adorned with various well-known celebrities, seeking to identify each one. As time passed, the Reddit community successfully recognized most of the celebrities, such as Orlando Bloom and Jessica Alba, with the exception of one elusive figure, tagged as the sixth celebrity, whose identity remained unknown.

Following numerous unsuccessful attempts and pursuing incorrect clues, a Reddit user going by StefanMorse recently proposed that C6 could be the Spanish model Leticia Sardá. On Sunday, a different user with the username IndigoRoom announced, "Celebrity Number Six has been identified," attaching what seemed to be the photo of Sardá that was utilized to create the fabric. IndigoRoom located the original photographer, shared the ongoing mystery with them, and requested the photo.

The puzzle was unraveled. Across TikTok and Reddit, the community celebrated. However, the excitement was only beginning.

Determining the precise details of the incident proves challenging, and attempts to reach out to the moderators of the Celebrity Number Six subreddit through a WIRED message received no response. However, it appears that the controversy began when IndigoRoom posted their discovery on the community's Discord. This led to someone asserting that the image shared was a forgery, likely created by artificial intelligence. Despite facing several blunt denials of the picture's authenticity, IndigoRoom stood firm on its validity. This stance was justified when the model in question confirmed the authenticity of the photo herself. The incident sparked a wave of support for IndigoRoom on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, with calls for justice. A particular comment highlighted the unfair treatment handed to IndigoRoom by the moderators on Discord and Reddit, condemning it as unacceptable and asserting that IndigoRoom "Fully deserves a public apology from the moderators (specifically Hugh)."

By Wednesday, following the widespread consensus that the situation was resolved, and with Sardá having been located and spoken to by The New York Times, a moderator announced via a post that Hugh, the moderator in question, had resigned from his role. The message emphasized that "Hugh is not receiving any of the vile messages or threats sent to the modmail, and anyone who sends them WILL face a permanent ban. … Hugh and IndigoRoom resolved their differences several days prior and have since moved forward, and it's advised that you do the same."

Transitioning away from conflicts and lingering animosities might seem achievable, as intense online quarrels often fade away swiftly. However, the real challenge lies in addressing the underlying issues that ignited these disputes. The case involving Celebrity Number Six highlights a significant complication: artificial intelligence has intensified the challenges of online detective work. The presence of AI, which prompts doubts about the reliability of visual evidence, often derails investigators. They find themselves preoccupied with distinguishing between deceitful individuals and those with genuine intentions. This scenario suggests the emergence of a niche market for investigators tasked with scrutinizing the activities of internet detectives amidst a landscape rife with misinformation and disorder.

Consider another internet enigma that was unraveled not too long ago: the origin of a track that gained fame online as “Everyone Knows That.” Following an extensive online search lasting close to three years, two Reddit users managed to identify the song, which is actually called “Ulterior Motives.” Their breakthrough came after they stumbled upon a track with a similar vibe in an adult film snippet on YouTube, prompting them to spend countless hours viewing adult content likely featuring music from the composers mentioned in that snippet.

Throughout the search, there were rumors that the song might be the product of artificial intelligence or a clever ruse. Had the investigators focused too much on these theories, or if anyone had attempted to employ AI to create a matching tune as a means to "crack" the case, they would've missed the opportunity to sift through an abundance of adult content. Instead, they could have found themselves entangled in numerous virtual disputes.

"The Monitor offers a weekly roundup focused on the vibrant culture scene within WIRED, covering everything from films and viral memes to television and TikTok trends."

Mysteries like "Celebrity Number Six" and "Everyone Knows That" emerged just before the explosion of generative AI, managing to dodge some of the skepticism that newer phenomena face. Their investigations underscored the importance of vigilance in verifying online content, illustrating how the digital landscape has become increasingly dubious. The enigma surrounding "Celebrity Number Six" more so than "Everyone Knows That" highlights the growing difficulty in distinguishing between reality and AI-generated content. It's unlikely that any future mysteries arising after them will encounter fewer debates over the authenticity of their origins.

Upon being contacted by the Times, Sardá expressed that she was embracing her newfound popularity, even making her way onto TikTok. She voiced her appreciation for the efforts people made to connect with her, yet she couldn't help but worry about the potential extent of this attention and its impact on her life. However, she found solace in one thought: "I always have the option to disappear."

Unraveling the Tale:

The phenomenon of cat-related memes infiltrating the US political landscape is on the rise. This narrative is predominantly centered around felines, starting with an unfounded rumor that emerged on social media claiming Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were consuming cats, in addition to ducks and geese. Ohio's Senator, J.D. Vance, brought attention to this rumor on the social platform X, and the site's owner, Elon Musk, amplified the message by sharing various pictures of cats (and ducks) with the plea, “Save them!” In a similar vein, Texas Senator Ted Cruz shared a meme of two kittens hugging with a caption urging votes for Trump to prevent Haitian migrants from consuming them, topped off with three cry-laughing emojis. Meanwhile, the Republican House Judiciary Committee’s X page featured what seemed to be an AI-created image of Trump cradling a duck and a kitten by a lake.

The topic of cat memes made its way into the political arena. The theory that cats were being consumed gained more attention on Tuesday evening. In a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump claimed, "They're consuming the dogs. They're consuming the cats." This soundbite swiftly spread to TikTok, where it was paired with photos of household pets. Additionally, memes featuring Alf, the extraterrestrial character from a sitcom known for his desire to eat the household cat, quickly became popular.

Taylor Swift, along with her feline companion, has shown support for Kamala Harris. The conversation about her cat didn't just end there, however. Shortly after the debate concluded, Swift seemingly reached for her phone and crafted an Instagram update that simultaneously criticized the spread of false information through artificial intelligence and showed her backing for Kamala Harris. She concluded the post with the moniker "Childless Cat Lady," and included a picture of herself holding a cat. At the time of this report, the post has garnered over 10 million likes. Elon Musk appeared to reply to Swift's show of support with a post on X stating, “Alright Taylor … you've convinced me … I'll provide you with a child and protect your cats as if they were my own.” He later added, “Toxoplasma gondii poses a threat to our democracy,” suggesting that a cat-borne parasite, known for altering the behavior of infected rodents to no longer fear cats, could potentially influence the structure of government in the United States.

Kendrick Lamar released a fresh single on Instagram. Following a significant stir on the internet due to his announcement of performing at next year's Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar unveiled a new song. Check it out here.

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