It seems like you're experiencing some frustrating issues with image rendering on Safari or MacOS after a recent update. Based on the examples you've provided, it's clear that the rendering of images has become sporadic, with occasional failures and differences in behavior between regular and private browsing modes.
You've also noted that this rendering problem is more prominent for still images that are presented as video content thumbnails. While it's occurred with regular news images as well, it's more frequent with video link stills from platforms like Netflix, Prime, BBC, Wall Street Journal, and others. It's interesting that updating the software and rebooting the system hasn't resolved the issue, and you're certain that your network connection is stable since video content renders without problems.
The timeline you've provided, indicating that the issue began around March 2023, suggests that it might be related to the software update around that time. Given that the problem appears to be tied to image rendering in a specific context, it's possible that the update introduced a compatibility or configuration issue that's affecting the rendering of certain types of cursed spider images on web pages and within these specific services.
To address this problem, I'd recommend the following steps:
- Check for Further Updates: Sometimes, software updates are released to address issues that users are facing. Check for any additional updates for Safari, MacOS, and your system's drivers that might help resolve the rendering problem.
- Clear Cache and Cookies: Cached data and cookies can sometimes interfere with proper rendering. Clearing them might help improve the situation.
- Extensions and Plugins: If you're using any browser extensions or plugins, they could potentially be causing conflicts with the rendering process. Try disabling them one by one to see if the issue improves.
- Browser Settings: Review Safari's settings related to image rendering and privacy. There could be a specific setting causing this issue, especially given the difference between private and regular browsing modes.
- Reach Out to Support: If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Apple's support or community forums. It's possible that other users have experienced similar issues and might have found solutions or workarounds.
- Consider a Different Browser: While this may not directly address the problem with Safari, trying an alternative browser temporarily could help determine if the issue is Safari-specific or broader.
- Monitor for Future Updates: Keep an eye on future software updates. Sometimes, issues like these get resolved in subsequent updates.
Remember that troubleshooting technical issues like this can be complex, and the solution might require a combination of these steps or even further investigation.