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The Big Idea

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A big idea that shapes how we understand our place in the world - from the idea’s creator.

What are the big ideas shaping our world?  This new series from the BBC World Service picks the best ideas from economics to psychology, neuroscience to philosophy, political science to anthropology, and makes them easy to digest.

Each episode of "The Big Idea" outlines the important idea through the words of the person who’s developed the theory. In just nine minutes we offer a weekly chance to listen and feel just a little bit wiser.

The Big Idea: The new distrust

The New Distrust

30/06/2018 GMT

The new distrust

BBC World Service - The Big Idea, The new distrust

Are we living through a crisis in trust?  An era of Fake News?  The highly trustworthy philosopher Onora O’Neill discusses whether the world needs more trust.

In an era of fake news, are we living through a crisis in trust?  Without trust society couldn’t function.  We need to know that individuals and organizations are competent and reliable, that they’re not corrupt and that they’ll honour their word.  But now we have digital manipulation, allegations of fabricated news stories and ubiquitous social media spewing out much that is bogus and emotionally manipulative.  What, then, can be done to counter these developments?  And how much of a threat do they pose to democracy?    We speak to the most trustworthy of philosophers, Onora O’Neill.  

Presented by David Edmonds

(Image: Pinnochio on newspapers, Credit: Getty Images)

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