Double Take

"Double Take" by Wilson Parks Griffith is a short science fiction story that presents a unique exploration of human nature through the discovery of a time capsule by futuristic extraterrestrial historians. The capsule contains a radio program from 1960 meant to highlight humanity's best qualities. However, as the aliens attempt to decode the broadcast, they intercept the unfiltered private thoughts of those involved in its creation. This accidental eavesdropping paints a contrasting picture of 20th-century Earth, revealing inner desires, conflicts, and sense of guilt that lie beneath the surface of the carefully constructed public image. The tale reflects starkly on the complexities and contradictions inherent in human existence, yet it ultimately finds a raw honesty in these flaws that becomes humanity's most redeeming feature.