This seems to miss the one rationalization I saw most in my college days for 'technological detachment phenomenon'. That being that "in the real world, it doesn't matter how i got the right answer". I don't fully agree with the statement, but its worth a thought at least.
The blue edges around the dried up lakes seems rather suspect as well. Looks like the result of using the Feather tool on a selection of the lake. For reference before and after satellite images of dried up lakes:
http://weheartworld.com/climate-change/global-devastation-ho...
Anyone find this in GoogleMaps/Earth?