Disguises

In a discussion about disguises on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA intelligence officer, explained various aspects of disguises used in espionage. He highlighted three levels of disguise:

1. Level One (Light Disguise): Simple changes like sunglasses and a ball cap, just enough to prevent recognition by someone who might have seen a photograph of you but doesn't know you personally. This is typical for celebrities avoiding recognition in public 1.

2. Level Two (Long-Term Disguise): Significant, more permanent changes to one's appearance, such as changing hairstyles, getting tattoos, or altering body weight. These are intended for long missions where the disguise needs to hold up to close scrutiny 1.

3. Level Three (Prosthetic Disguise): Involves elaborate prosthetics like those seen in movies, e.g., fake ears, noses, or even full-face masks. While highly effective, these disguises also carry the highest risk; if discovered, they can instantly blow an operative's cover 1.

Bustamante noted that his favorite level two disguise involved a casual appearance with a big beard and messy hair, making him indistinguishable from many others in public places, ensuring he didn’t stand out as a spy 2.