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.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as the Logos (λόγος), the living expression of meaning itself. In a world filled with symbols, signals, and branding, we are constantly interpreting what things mean and what they point to. This piece explores how semiotics shapes the way we see the world, and why the cross stands as the most powerful symbol of all, not just something to recognise, but something to embody. At Vine, this invites us into a creative, visual way of living, where our lives become a reflection of the source we are connected to.