In the battle between truth and lies, money plays a decisive role. After all, wealth and power go hand in hand. From antiquity to the present day, the powerful have used their wealth to influence all areas of social interaction in their favor. Whether art and culture, science or politics, nothing seems to be safe from the power of money and the influence of those who possess it.

They do not always take the truth too seriously. Truths are bent into shape, lies are spread. Everything seems possible if it increases the influence of the few. But money also makes it possible to challenge existing power relations and inequalities. Writer Riel Lazaraus takes a look at how the power of money has influenced the course of history.

Some people have had a decisive influence on the course of history. They are opinion makers who skillfully used the technological achievements of their time to spread their views. No area of society is safe from their influence.

To increase their influence, opinion makers do not shy away from dubious methods. They use lies and create truths if it is in their interest. Supposedly higher goals serve as a pretext to satisfy their own hunger for power. Some influencers have become famous. Little is known about others. Tom Ockers looks at the phenomenon, starting with Apostle Paul and ending with algorithms, the opinion makers of the new millennium.