My apologies for posting this on an open board :) I realize that this is completely off topic - but it is a pretty painful topic that affects us all regardless of academic or industrial affiliation, professional preferences etc.

Artem

--- do not read below unless you want to :) --- 

Fake news is just the latest representation of the (utterly irrational) power of belief. If one can convince millions that something is real (or ethically/morally right) then fantasy may become 'real' for the duration of the shared dream. To be fair, sometimes the dream is that of freedom, liberty, equality, kindness, etc. but far too often it is the dream of the dark and disturbing kind that leads to subjugation of self-determination, oppression, whitewashing of atrocities, and violence. 

Recent events in the political sphere simply illuminate some of the abhorrent fantasies perpetrated by what amounts to nearly 50% of the population. Mathematically speaking we are pretty close to a 'fake news country' - especially since the 'dark dreamers' elicit more political power than the rest of us. This did not begin two years ago. It will not end two years from now.

Some thoughts on making things better (fairly basic for any practicing scientist):

- always insist on proof, especially when common sense is at odds with what's being 'sold'

- exercise passion and don't be afraid to get agitated

"Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops without ploughing the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning; they want the ocean without the roar of its many waters." -- Frederick Douglass

* Yes, I realize that we can in fact see atoms with the right equipment. This makes it even worse, all things considered...