Age of Doubt: Building Trust in a World of Misinformation

by Tracey Kirkland (Editor), Gavin Fang (Editor)

Today, trust seems harder to find than ever before. It's hardly surprising we feel that way. Our politics is polarised,our online world is awash with misinformation, and we’ve lost faith in our bedrock institutions. Yet, without trust, we cannot work together to solve the big problems we face.

But there is a way back. A way to rediscover trust in our leaders and institutions. A way to tackle the doubt.

This insightful collection of essays brings together top thinkers from across the globe in media, science, government, academia and business to examine how and why trust is disappearing, and how we might navigate these confusing times.

It explores the origins of our misinformation culture and its impact on democracy. It looks at the moral and ethical foundations our institutions are built on, and shines a light on the media and its role in sorting fact from fiction. Expert minds in business, science and law enforcement explain how to maintain trust and how easily it can be broken, and leaders on the front line of technological development describe the influence of bots, conspiracy theories and generative AI.

If we are to address the big issues facing our world, then we must have trust, because without it we have no sense of shared reality. Alone, we can’t do it. Together, we might.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A logical and well presented collection of essays from leading figures in business, government, technology, media and science. What this book does best is asks the reader to question and to think about the way trust in institutions and the media is built and destroyed and what this means for democratic society. It paints a bleak picture of our communities, online and in person, local and global, but it does present some optimism too, if tackled and done thoughfully. I would recommend this book to everyone in an effort to help people understand misinformation and disinformation and how crucial it is to build media literacy skills.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent cross section of enlightening essays + interviews addressing past, present + future issues in keeping the facts in check, it’s importance and consequences when it disintegrates. Chapters agree to disagree.. and the currency of trust on body language were great interludes for me on some heavier pages.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relevant read within the Australian context but also as we see the effects of an interconnected world on what is truth and what is trustworthy. An interesting collection of thoughts concerning the shifting views and perceived trustworthiness of various institutions spanning academic, government, news and media, and the police. I enjoyed the insight into the effects of the global on the local community, and how things occurring in different contexts have such profound effects across the world. The essays overall flowed well without being jarring across different writers, especially as common themes emerged across most of the book. Would recommend and maybe re-read especially as AI continues to evolve and break down what we "know" to be true.