Welcome to today’s quick deep dive! I recently visited Disneyland in Anaheim, and it was quite the eye-opener. As many listeners know, I’ve spent the pandemic binge-reading about Disney—the man, the company, the magic. But stepping into the park, I realized something: Disney’s rides are like a hyperreal world, blending reality and fiction so seamlessly that it’s almost uncanny.

Take Pirates of the Caribbean—impressive, right? But if you look closer, those animatronics are jerky, and the perfect lighting reveals industrial vents and acoustic panels. It’s a carefully crafted illusion—designed to give you a safe, diluted thrill, not real danger or adventure. That’s the point: Disney creates a sense of wonder that’s just enough to keep you hooked, craving the next ride or visit.

Now, here’s the twist: this experience mirrors what our phones do. Social media, TikTok, Twitter—they deliver a “purified” hit of excitement, a tiny taste of real adventure or emotion, but in a controlled, artificial package. It’s Pirates of the Caribbean, but on your screen.

So, while I love Disneyland, I’ll stick to the real world for genuine wonder. Because sometimes, artificial magic is just… a little too perfect.