Zombies at the Theme Park

Consumers are waking from a long trance

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A few days ago, I published a new essay over at Full Moon. It starts like this:

Here’s a thought experiment. Imagine a theme park so compelling, one that delivers such a powerful form of magic, that you’d be happy to stay there for the rest of your life.

This theme park knows you so well. It listens to everything you say, and watches every choice you make.

The park never forgets. It knows your history, every ride you’ve been on, every snack you’ve consumed. And over time it builds a model not just of what you’ve done, but of who you are; the deep, underlying beliefs, values, and preferences that drive your behaviour. It even uses sensors and AI to interpret your eye movements and your pulse, so it knows when you’re excited, bored, or sad.

And via all that, the park can anticipate your every desire. It sometimes seems to know what you want even before you do. And then it delivers: endlessly, and instantly, without you ever having to ask. You never wait in line. You never feel frustrated. The next novelty will always be announced, just as the last falls away. Everything just flows.

It’s almost like a waking dream.

Now look up from the screen. This isn’t a thought experiment. You’re already in the park. You have been for years. And you know it.

From there, the essay builds an argument. That is, that we inhabitants of technological modernity now live inside an all-encompassing machine for the instant satisfaction of our every preference, impulse, and whim. Algorithms, delivery networks, streaming platforms, AI assistants: all working ceaselessly to serve us. Consumer culture sold this to us as ultimate freedom. Have what you want, when you want it.

But lately a strange feeling has grown acute. Our deep fear is that we’ve become something akin to zombies, mindlessly wandering a theme park of endless consumption. Scrolling, clicking, tapping our way from one dopamine hit to the next. Never quite experiencing any of it.

Here’s the thing, though. Something is shifting. In 2026, the zombies — that means me, you, all of us — are waking up. And that has profound consequences for businesses, brands, and creative and knowledge work professionals.

If this sounds intriguing, I hope you’ll head over to Full Moon to read the essay. A preview is available for free; the full piece is for paying members.

A subscription to Full Moon is £15 a month, or £150 for a year. You’ll be part of a growing community of founders, corporate leaders, marketers, consultants, designers, strategists, creatives and more who have joined our journey of exploration and understanding.

If you’re trying to build products, services, and experiences that matter in 2026, I think you’ll find great value in the subscription.

Thanks for reading,

David.