The term \u2018post truth\u2019<\/strong> implies that there was once a time when the \u2018truth\u2019 was apparent or easy to establish. We can question whether such a time ever existed, and indeed the \u2018truth\u2019, even in science, is constantly changing as new discoveries are made. \u2018Truth\u2019, \u2018Reality\u2019 and \u2018History\u2019, it seems, are constantly being re-constructed to meet the needs of the moment.<\/strong> Philosophers have written extensively about the nature of truth and this is an entire branch of philosophy called \u2018epistemology\u2019. Indeed my own series of blogs starts with a posting called \u2018It\u2019s Like This<\/a>\u2019 that considers the foundation of our beliefs. <\/p>\n Nevertheless there is something behind the notion of \u2018post truth\u2019. It arises out of the large-scale manufacture and distribution of false news<\/strong> and information made possible by the internet and facilitated by the widespread use of social media. This combines with a disillusionment in relation to almost all types of authority<\/strong> including politicians, media, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, lawyers and the operation of law generally, global corporations, and almost any other centralised institution you care to think of. In a volatile, uncertain, changing and ambiguous world who or what is left that we can trust?<\/strong> <\/p>\n YouTube Video, Astroturf and manipulation of media messages | Sharyl Attkisson | TEDxUniversityofNevada, TEDx Talks, February 2015, 10:26 minutes<\/em>
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