Sentence 1: It's not as if all this postmodern self-consciousness amounts to anything new.

Sentence 2: self-consciousness is more widespread than it had been previously
Is this second sentence entailed by the first?

Answer: it is not possible to tell

Sentence 1: More depressing is the possibility that he means it.

Sentence 2: He denied the possibility that he means it.
Is this second sentence entailed by the first?

Answer: no

Sentence 1: Thus, when auditors disclose matters that have led them to conclude that an illegal act is likely to have occurred, they should take care not to imply that they have made a determination of illegality.

Sentence 2: Thus, when auditors release matters that have them conclude an illegal act likely occurred, they need take care that they have determination already made.
Is this second sentence entailed by the first?

Answer:
yes