No more fools' gold the joke is on us

Lines blurred between fantasy and bonkers reality

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IT IS an institution once beloved of pranksters, newspaper editors and marketing executives everywhere.

But it has been dying on its feet for some time now.

In a world where idiocy and lies rule for 365 days a year, just what is the point of dedicating a special day to foolishness? This week we were prepared to finally call it. To declare that the April First joke just isn't funny anymore.

These days, if the reality in front of your nose doesn't suit your world view, you are within your rights to simply make it up and make it as bonkers as you can stand.

"Your truth" - deluded and fantastical as it may be - has been elevated to be as valid as real-world facts and evidence.

Which is great for people who want to keep making money by pretending the problems of the world don't exist.

Or wannabe emperors who like strutting naked on the world stage while insisting they are wearing a splendid new suit of clothes.