The Real Reason People Keep Believing Proven Liars

Trust isn't destroyed by evidence. It's destroyed when identity becomes more important than reality.

JACK HOPKINS FICTIONAL SEMINAR: "WHEN SHOULD YOU TRUST SOMEONE?"

A woman raises her hand.

"I'm struggling with something."

Hopkins nods.

"What specifically?"

"Trust."

"In what context?"

She hesitates.

"Politics."

"Go on."

"There is a public figure who has repeatedly said things that turned out not to be true."

She pauses.

"For years."

"Yet millions of people still trust him."

Hopkins smiles.

"Interesting."

He turns toward the audience.

"Let's begin with a distinction."

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