Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity.

The keys to brand success are self-definition transparency authenticity and accountability.

There is a certain kind of respect for authenticity today that there wasn't back in the days when they did 'Cleopatra ' where everything looked like a giant motel. People want to have it be authentic in the look and authentic in the way people behave.

Inauthenticity is endemic in American politics today. The political backrooms where I spent much of my career were just as benighted as my personal life equally crowded with shadowy strangers and compromises truths I hoped to deny. I lived not in one closet but in many.

This aesthetic quality then is what politics is all about. It's authenticity that separates winners from losers good politics from bad and he-man leader-types from consultant-directed puppet-boys.

Authenticity is the alignment of head mouth heart and feet - thinking saying feeling and doing the same thing - consistently. This builds trust and followers love leaders they can trust.

One of the consequences of the Iranian revolution has been an explosion of history. A country once known only from British consular reports and intrepid travelogues is now awash with historical documents letters diaries grainy video weblogs and secret police files of questionable authenticity.

My fear now is of cliche of complacency of not being able to feel authenticity in myself and those around me.

We need to find the courage to say no to the things and people that are not serving us if we want to rediscover ourselves and live our lives with authenticity.