
In today’s digital age, the line between fact and fiction has become increasingly blurred, particularly when it comes to the visceral realm of social media. In a recent instance that has stoked the fires of speculation, Seth Rogen, the beloved comic actor and cannabis aficionado behind the Houseplant brand, shared a video on Instagram that rapidly became the fodder of internet chatter. The footage showcases what seems to be Rogen indulging in his own merchandise, all while being broadcast on the Exosphere, a behemoth LED screen that boasts the title of the largest on the globe.
The video, with the simple yet evocative caption “Straight to the dome. Happy Holidays,” features Seth Rogen’s larger-than-life presence on the screen. As the view count soared to 8.8 million, it wasn’t just fans who took to the comments but also notable names including High Times magazine, who hailed the spectacle with a tongue-in-cheek comment.
Yet, as the Exosphere has become a playground for internet trickery, showcasing everything from a pulsating eyeball to celestial bodies in motion, questions regarding the authenticity of these displays are inevitable. And Rogen’s contribution to this series of visuals seems no different, a realization that arises from several telltale signs.
For one, neither the Sphere nor Rogen’s cannabis venture receives any mention, perhaps to sidestep potential legal entanglements over unauthorized promotion. The actor’s head occupies a mere fraction of the screen — a choice that severely limits the viewing field to a select few directly in front of the Sphere and a decision that seems implausible for such a grand display. Additionally, the visuals are characterized by a charming low-fi quality, complete with the conspicuous presence of vertical grid lines.
Skeptical minds have taken to platforms like Reddit to dissect the clip’s veracity further. One particular user highlighted inconsistencies in the reflection around the Sphere’s base as well as residual imagery on Rogen’s collar, indicative of digital manipulation.
The sphere of influence extends well beyond the Exosphere’s towering structure; it’s morphed into a social media phenomenon. TikTok now boasts a category dedicated to discerning the real from the faux when it comes to Sphere videos, and has even introduced a filter that superimposes users’ faces on the sphere – the results of which boast a certain unrefined charm rather than convincing realism.
Sometimes, these creations trespass into controversial territories, like the Twitter video that depicted the Israeli flag on the Sphere, eliciting an eruption of responses before being debunked by the Sphere itself. This video, originating from a visual effects artist, was not crafted with deceit in mind but rather as a gesture of solidarity during a time of geopolitical strife.
As we navigate through the sea of content, real and manufactured, it’s important to take a moment and reassess the nature of what we consider to be entertainment. In a world where digital artistry can fabricate near-tangible realities, perhaps it’s the excitement of being part of a collective experience, a shared moment of wonder or humor, that has true value, irrespective of the authenticity of its origin.