Why Lying Sometimes Builds Public Trust

02/09/2025 15 min

Listen "Why Lying Sometimes Builds Public Trust"

Episode Synopsis

What happens when honesty backfires? In this episode of Deep Dive, we unpack a provocative idea from new research: that being transparent about science and policy doesn’t always strengthen trust—it can sometimes weaken it. We explore the “transparency paradox,” why the public often expects perfection from science, and how uncomfortable truths can erode confidence in experts. Is the answer deception, education, or a new way of thinking about trust?