This image was generated by artificial intelligence.
Early on, I was taught a simple piece of wisdom: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” It was a gentle reminder to slow down, look twice, and trust my judgment rather than my impulses. Today, in a world shaped by screens, algorithms, and instant sharing, that childhood lesson feels more relevant than ever.
We now live in an age where our eyes can be deceived as easily as our ears. Videos can be fabricated. Voices can be cloned. Familiar faces can be made to say unfamiliar things. Too often, the most convincing deceptions are carefully designed to provoke us, because emotion remains the quickest path to manipulation. If we are not careful, we amplify something false before we even question it.
At Destination Peace, we remain steadfastly apolitical. Our mission is not to tell people what to believe, but to help people stay grounded in dignity, clarity, and connection. In that spirit, I offer a modern version of that childhood saying:
If it seems like a deepfake, check it out.
- Not because we should live in suspicion, but because we should live in awareness.
- Not because we distrust one another, but because we value truth enough to pause before reacting.
- Not because technology is the enemy, but because discernment is part of peacebuilding in a digital age.
When something online feels off, a tone that does not match a person’s character, a statement that contradicts years of behavior, or a video that seems oddly stitched together, take a breath. Verify the source before you share it. Look for reputable reporting. Ask yourself whether the content is designed to inform or to inflame. In my experience, most viral outrage loses its power the moment we slow down and examine it.
Discernment is not cynicism. It is respect for ourselves, for others, and for the shared reality we are all trying to navigate. In a culture where reaction is rewarded, choosing verification is an act of responsibility.
In a noisy world, peace begins with the courage to pause.
