What would future beings think of us if humanity suddenly disappeared? That’s a thought experiment I dive into in this week’s episode — and it leads somewhere far more relevant to our everyday lives than you might expect. If humans vanished tomorrow and were rediscovered centuries later, what story would our civilization tell?

Would they think chocolates, perfume, and watches were pillars of our culture because every airport on Earth displays the same things? Their conclusions would come from an imperfect sample of our world — and much of it would be wrong. And that’s where the episode takes its turn.

Because we do the same thing right now. We mistake simulacra — distorted reflections of reality — for truth; Tourism ads, Airport terminals, Instagram influencers living their “best life.” Even HR advice on LinkedIn (the irony).

These things look true, they feel true, but they’re often simplified, polished, edited, or curated versions of reality.

The real skill?

- Not falling for the illusion.

- Not confusing a glossy snapshot for the full picture.

- Training yourself to ask: “This seems true… but when might it not be?”

I also tackle a question I sometimes get: “Is this too much for your audience?” My answer is always no- I’m not here to give victory laps for what you already know — I’m here to stretch you. To treat you like smart, capable thinkers who can handle nuance and complexity.