Context for the Image
In Japan, the tragedy of March 11, 2011, is a proven fact with indisputable evidence. However, any speculation about the consequences of the disaster is still only speculation because there is no traceable connection between the effects of atomic energy on all living things. In Figure 1, one can see the deformed daisies with the definite caption, “Not much more to say, this is what happens when flowers get nuclear congenital disabilities” (Stanford History Education Group, 2016, 10).
Such a picture with a defiant caption is a loud headline that generates discussion on social media and leads theory buffs to speculate on whether the deformed plants are a real consequence of disasters due to atomic energy.
Assessing the Image as a Source for Reporting on Fukushima
In reality, this image cannot be considered solid evidence of the dangers of nuclear energy or any connection to the Fukushima Daiichi tragedy. First, the author of the image does not specify how, when, or under what conditions it was taken. Nothing in the photo mentions the connection to the power plant or its immediate proximity (Observing and Understanding Images, 2023).
Secondly, the author has not provided evidence that these daisies are not neural net-generated or corrected in Paint/Photoshop. The curvature of the daisies in the center of the image is handmade by the authors because they appear healthy but have different shapes. Moreover, the other daisies also do not look damaged, and it seems they must all be damaged, or at least not the same as the healthy ones. Finally, such a photo caption may indicate a desire to set a precedent rather than to cover the real news. Consequently, this image cannot be strong evidence of radiation impact because there is no connection to the power plant or the image’s authenticity.
References
Observing and understanding images. (2023). University of Delaware. Web.
Stanford History Education Group. (2016). Evaluating information: the cornerstone of civic online reasoning. Web.