In a world saturated with content, branding, advertising, and algorithms, authenticity has become one of the most valuable currencies we have. Every organisation wants to appear human, ethical, relatable, and real. But somewhere along the way, authenticity itself started becoming a product, something packaged, optimised, and sold back to us. In an age shaped by AI, automation, and performance culture, it’s becoming harder to tell the difference between what is genuinely human and what has simply been designed to feel that way.

What do TM, ® and © actually mean, and does copyright really mean the right to copy? This short guide mixes real stories, brand lessons, and practical insights to unpack the symbols you see every day but rarely think about.

I recently read Mindstuck by Michael McQueen, and it’s a genuinely insightful take on why changing people’s minds is so hard. The big idea is simple but powerful, we’re far less driven by logic than we think, and far more shaped by identity, instinct, and emotion. Which means persuasion isn’t about winning arguments or presenting better facts, it’s about understanding people, building connection, and leading with empathy. In a time where conversations feel increasingly polarised, it’s a helpful reminder that people don’t change when they feel pushed, they change when they feel understood.