Anecdote of the Week

In 1976, NASA’s Viking 1 probe sent an image of Mars revealing a “face” in the Cydonia region. This image sparked conspiracy theories about Martian and extraterrestrial civilizations, but NASA insisted it was merely an optical illusion. However, in 2001, new images of the “face” were released, manipulated with over 12 filters prior to distribution. This raised doubts about their authenticity and NASA’s integrity.

A technology like blockchain could have ensured transparency and integrity through a verifiable “chain of custody”. Considering that NASA is taxpayer-funded, the use of blockchain could have bolstered public trust. This anecdote of the “face on Mars” underscores the importance of emerging technologies in assuring information authenticity and the accountability of publicly supported organizations.