A fraudster exploits a moment of uncertainty by pretending to be a familiar figure, relying on the victim’s embarrassment and hesitation to question their own memory. The example shows how easily social cues, expectations, and politeness can override critical thinking, revealing how recognition is not purely about memory but also about social pressure and assumed roles.

The episode then expands to examine how capitalist society encourages shallow and fragmented social interactions, where people are primarily understood through their economic or social functions rather than as full individuals. This environment makes people more vulnerable to manipulation and alienation, weakening genuine human connection. A socialist society, organised around cooperation and shared purpose, would reduce these distortions, allowing people to relate to one an ...