Abstract: The subject field of this research is the combination of cultural phenomena, which correlate with the initially highlighted concept of “post-truth” through generalization of its criteria. The traditionally narrow understanding of post-truth is associated with news reports of mass media. However, the distortion of actual picture, using the techniques of heuristic rhetoric and mechanisms that instigate cognitive biases is a more common situation in modern society, which unites various communication phenomena, touches upon news and everyday communication, artistic endeavor, and many other areas. The specific subject of research is the range of possible scenarios of social development depending on its response to proliferation of the phenomena that comprise the cultural-communication complex of “post-truth”. This article is the first attempt of scientific summary of the phenomenal picture of post-truth based on the competent expansion of the criteria from the partial instances to the general mechanisms. Partial criteria, such as neglecting objective factors in the report, appeal to human values and ideologies, use of emotional pressure for substantiating own opinion, the author replaces with the general: media distortion of reality as a goal of report, use of cognitive biases, use of mechanisms of heuristics. Based on the highlighted criteria, the author analyzes the question of semantic and cultural correlation with post-truth of such as the phenomena as the fan theories of two types, litbaits, pop science, folk history, astroturfing, fan fakes, clickbaits, narrative journalism, etc. Scientific novelty also consists in outlining the possible scenarios for social development and its communication environment depending on the strategies of response to expansion of the sphere of post-truth.

Keywords: digital literacy, communication, propaganda, fun fake, misinformation, fake news, clickbait, Digital Age, post-truth, future

Abstract: This article discusses the causes of current interest in conspiratorial explanations, called by the author a conspiracy discourse. In the latter, he defines interpretation of the problem as plot of a particular malign subject, debunker of such plot, and audience of the debunker. The three main causes of interests in conspiratorial explanations are highlighted: simple cause-and-effect explanations of complex phenomena, propensity to the values of mistrust and conflict, opportunity to use conspiracy discourses for technological purposes. The author attributes conspiracy knowledge to humanities and social, and thus, discusses the criteria of their efficiency and objectivity. The article implements the following research methodology: articulation of the problem, situational and comparative analyses, reconstruction and interpretation of texts, structuring of concepts. As a result, the author was able to characterize the conspiracy discourse, justify the current scientific and cultural interest to it, and causes of such interests, as well as connect these causes with the current situation. The article views conspiracy movement as an intrinsic aspect of modern state of our civilization that undergoes a deep crisis.

Keywords: conspiracy, audience, knowledge, interpretation, explanation, conspiracy thesis, discourse, conflict, distrust, objectivity

Abstract:   This article examines the phenomenon of information in the aspects of scientific and technological approach and socio-historical being. The concept of complicated system of non-natural type associated with the growth of internal information value alongside the conceptual limitedness of scientist description of the phenomenon of information are being foregrounded. The ontological concretization of such concept is possible with regards to the human world. Special role of information in the modern context is defined by the two factors – its ontological aspect and the accomplished ideological function. The question of the supposed generalization of the concept of information requires a proper articulation and concretization of the role and meaning of information in the socio-historical context. The key research method is characterizes as dialectically demarcation, which on one hand allows to drastically differentiate the functionality of the natural and sociocultural, historical systems, while on the other – conduct their categorial analysis in a unified conceptual manner. The main conclusions lie in speculation on the existing gnoseological limitedness of the concept of information; information is understood as an abstract side of knowledge; on specificity of the perception of information in the area of non-natural systems; on the alienating character of the existing information value that aligns information with the consumable things turning it into commodity. For concretization the concept of information, the author determines its symbolical qualities as the key intentional characteristics of the actual knowledge, which include the organization, awareness, historicity, and directed connectedness of information.  

Keywords: organization, connectedness , historicity, alienation, system, data, Information value, Information, measure, thingness

Abstract: A. Nilogov asks V. Kutyrev questions about his new book 'Time Mortido' published in 2012. These are the topics of Post-Modernism, dangers of uncontrolled technological progress, regeneration of the human spirit into artificial intellect and the temptation of immortality. Special attention is paid to the critics of transhumanism. The author flatly rejects the idea of accepting the mindless innovationism and opposes it to the traditional phenomenological philosophy of the lifeworld.  Most of the followers of the technoscience and philosophers who relfect their ideas are caught by the discussions about advantages of the progress. The interview also touches upon the definition of 'nightology' as the reflection of human tendency towards refusal from his own being.  A. Kutyrev suggests to limit the expansion of new technologies and not to support absolutization of technology, especially in the spiritual sphere.  A. Kutyrev also touches upon deconstruction of Derrida's logocentrism and refusal from the Word, language and meaning.  He also analyzes how these processes are reflected in the Russian and world philosophies. 

Keywords: Kutyrev, mortido, progress, innovatianism, technologies, post-human, transhumanism, culture, immortality, opposition

Abstract: Based on the article, when photography was introduced to the academic community as an innovation, it created a new level of scientific knowledge that can create the most accurate copy of the surrounding world. There have been many alternative opinions on the origin the theory of photograph in history. The author of this particular article views the two basic concepts of the image: documentary (in the form of a report) and art-related (in the form of a picture) and analyzes special features and interactions of the photography phenomenon. The author also shares and proves his own view on the matter. The main conclusion made by the author is that photography is a quintessence, the final stage in creating  a fully adequate image by means of art or science and a fundamentally new activity from the point of view of the classical perception of the image. 

Keywords: photography, art, value, belonging to art, documentary, image, creativity, surrounding world, culture, science