If Faisal Islam, Ralph Keyes and theNew York Timesare to be believed, the Trump candidacy and the vote for Brexit show we've entered a post-truth era – a world where emotion and populism win out over facts and experts. But is it true? And do emotional appeals really trump facts and figures?

It began with the ability to admit ignorance about our world. Science then became the most rigorous method through which to discover truth. And in a round-up of the most viral social media content of 2016, scientific findings and data-driven headlines stand out as the most shareable.

Scaring people is big business, with horrors making up all of the ten most profitable films from the last five years. But what creates those heart-in-mouth moments? Keith Bound, who studies the psychophysiological responses to suspense, explains to Canvas8 what gets us on the edge of our seats.

Native advertising has exploded over the internet in recent years. But for many consumers, figuring out what’s been paid for and what’s strictly editorial can be confusing. Nathaniel Evans, who studies the phenomenon, explains to Canvas8 why people often don’t recognise sponsored content.