The whole truth

When in 1847 Friedrich Neitzsche wrote: "All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth." Twitterhad not been invented. Which is unfortunate, as at 131 characters it would have fitted nicely.

As often happens with Neitzsche, it is not only the form of his writing which strikes a chord with us, but the content still also resonates today.

Those interested enough will find numerous examples in our world of interpretations underpinning power rather than truth.

Spotting examples is not hard, and is made easier when two conflicting interpretations begin to tear the truth into conflicting world views. With the seams stretched to bursting point, the flow of information starts which tries to heal over the gaps in the argument.

The ongoing and fierce debate about heath care in the Western world is a case in point, with two conflicting viewpoints struggling to assert their own versions of the truth over one another.

The whirring 24-hour media machines are the battlefields for these skirmishes in today's world, with communications advisers playing the part of the generals marshalling their messages into strategic attack and defence.

How this battle will pan out remains to be seen but, like all wars, the first casualty will be the truth.

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