It’s certainly a cool video but every part of it is computer generated, perhaps even the narration. That reduces my trust somewhat – you don’t need anything in the way of hard evidence to produce such convincing-looking claims.
"Do you have doubts that this tunnel is being built?"
Not in this particular case but there are a couple of problems with this level of computer-generated realism in a promotional video.
1) Given that even the human figures look distinctly real, it gives the impression that construction work is quite advanced, with the tunnel construction factory already producing sections. In fact, a Google Earth view dated June 2022 makes it clear that the factory buildings aren’t even built yet. (Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, Rødby, Denmark) This is exactly the kind of shenanigans that happen when failing big projects ask for more investment. 2) It is reminiscent of other projects that make bold promises, with convincing-looking videos, that weren’t based on any practical reality whatsoever. Tesla, Space-X, that road-straddling bus in China and Nikola, the dodgy hydrogen truck startup. The difference with the tunnel video is that you really have to look carefully to see that it’s computer generated.
In short, it will soon be possible to convince investors and the general public that infrastructure is much further along, or even fully functioning, without a single drop of poured real-world concrete or anything more than a computer.
It’s certainly a cool video but every part of it is computer generated, perhaps even the narration. That reduces my trust somewhat – you don’t need anything in the way of hard evidence to produce such convincing-looking claims.
ReplyDeleteAndy, I don't understand what it is you don't trust. Do you have doubts that this tunnel is being built?
Delete"Do you have doubts that this tunnel is being built?"
ReplyDeleteNot in this particular case but there are a couple of problems with this level of computer-generated realism in a promotional video.
1) Given that even the human figures look distinctly real, it gives the impression that construction work is quite advanced, with the tunnel construction factory already producing sections. In fact, a Google Earth view dated June 2022 makes it clear that the factory buildings aren’t even built yet. (Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, Rødby, Denmark) This is exactly the kind of shenanigans that happen when failing big projects ask for more investment.
2) It is reminiscent of other projects that make bold promises, with convincing-looking videos, that weren’t based on any practical reality whatsoever. Tesla, Space-X, that road-straddling bus in China and Nikola, the dodgy hydrogen truck startup. The difference with the tunnel video is that you really have to look carefully to see that it’s computer generated.
In short, it will soon be possible to convince investors and the general public that infrastructure is much further along, or even fully functioning, without a single drop of poured real-world concrete or anything more than a computer.
I see your point. Thanks for the clarification.
Delete