Generation Bullshit - The mystery of misinformation

Why we love to lie

The psychology of lying

Why do we love a lie? It’s a question that we asked ourselves when thinking about what we would like to investigate as part of a documentary.

So, Don’t Cry Wolf productions went out and spoke with smart people:

Stephan Lewandowsky chair of cognitive psychology at the University of Bristol.

Neil Garrett, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of East Anglia

Marianna Spring, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent

Mehwish Mufti, PHD Organisational Behavioural Sciences

 

 

 

What we learnt

From climate change denial to flat earthers and anti-vaxers, we looked at how misinformation spreads, the role social media plays in that proliferation of lies and why humans are wired to get a buzz from it.

The documentary covers Trump and the velocity of lies he told. It explores the power of personality and authenticity over truth and facts.

Finally, it asks the question, should we be balancing fact with an opinion or are they mutually exclusive?

We’d love to know what you think of the documentary.

Enjoy!

Credits

Executive producer: John Brown

Producer: Ben Tindall

Director & DOP: Simon Ross

Editor: James Weston

Camera: Bill Merner, Lewis Watt, Nia Ashby

Music/Stock: Artgrid, Artlist, Pond5