What Your Brain Sees in Videos Might Not Be the Truth

In 2007, the Supreme Court reviewed a case involving a car chase captured on police dashboard cameras. The footage showed a police car hitting another vehicle, leaving the driver, Victor Harris, paralyzed. Lower courts sided with Harris, but the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the officer, stating Harris posed a threat. This case highlights a big question: why do people see the same video differently? Experts say our brains don't just record what we see. They also mix in our experiences and beliefs. Sandra Ristovska, a media studies professor, explains that our past influences how we interpret videos. This is why video evidence, now common in courts, can be tricky. People might see the same footage but come to different conclusions. Our brains can play tricks on us. For example, slow-motion videos can make actions seem more intentional. Shaky footage can make events seem more intense. Even the camera angle matters. Neal Feigenson, a law professor, found that videos focused on a suspect's face make confessions seem more voluntary. This shows how easily our perceptions can be manipulated.Memory is also unreliable. Miko Wilford, a psychology professor, says our memories are like puzzles. We piece together bits of information, sometimes mixing up where they came from. This can lead to false memories, especially when we discuss events with others. Elizabeth Loftus, another psychology expert, suggests that police officers should write down their accounts before watching body camera footage to avoid memory contamination. Our biases shape what we see. People who support law enforcement might view police actions differently than those who don't. In 2009, a study found that opinions on the Scott v. Harris case varied along racial, income, and ideological lines. This shows that our beliefs can color our perceptions. Loftus points out that preexisting biases can affect how we interpret videos, like the recent footage of Renée Good's killing by an ICE officer. To handle these issues, experts recommend slowing down and thinking critically about what we see. Feigenson advises recognizing that others might see things differently. With the rise of AI-generated videos, the problem becomes even more complex. A 2025 study showed that AI can alter our memories of images. While concerning, this technology might also help people overcome traumatic memories by creating positive ones.