Member-only story
We Want: Truth as Our Common Heritage
The recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad
The truth belongs to the whole of society, not to any single individual, institution, or group that claims exclusive ownership over it.
This principle strikes at the heart of how we organize our communities, share knowledge, and build trust with one another.
In our daily lives, we see this playing out in countless ways.
When scientists publish research, they’re contributing to a collective understanding that belongs to everyone.
When journalists investigate stories, they’re uncovering truths that serve the public interest.
When artists release a new painting, they are inspiring everyone to feel, do, and create something.
When writers publish a good piece of news and opinion, they are contributing to the entire world.
When teachers share knowledge in classrooms, they’re participating in the ancient human tradition of passing wisdom from one generation to the next.
Yet we also witness the dangerous consequences when truth becomes privatized or weaponized.
