The information era seems to have given way to the post-truth era, where the lines between facts and fiction have been blurred by fake news. How can fake news be so effective? Lionel Page, Professor in Behavioural Economics, argues that fake news works because we are willing to believe it. To stop fake news and improve public debate, we have to change how we engage with the news and spread it on social media.

Lionel is the Head of the Queensland Behavioural Economics group. He received the 2016 Young Economist Prize from the Economic Society of Australia. His research focuses on the study of economic and political behavior. He is a dual French and Australian citizen having worked in economics in Paris, London, and Brisbane.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx