Botox Erases Lines of Empathy
When people decide on the basis of a frontal mirror view that their newly smoothed face appears “Fresher” what is lost on them is the degree of paralysis and sometimes asymmetry that would be obvious on a video where they talk to themselves. Conversations with blank slates leave me lukewarm at best. I might as well be weeping onto a veil. There is rejection in the wanton lack of subtle cues by which we viscerally measure genuine responses. The cosmetically disabled face has lost the ability to send instinctual signals crucial for face to face discourse. Any words of care seem incongruous with the flattened affect.
I no longer lunch with these vacuous masks nor will I watch them on the news or in movies. It is imperative for me to express the full range of gravity and jest required of an effective (grand)parent, teacher and consultant for those with vexing issues. Empathy is consolidated in changing facial lines. Kindnesses ripple across the countenance of a truly present friend.
For now may Grandmothers of authentic frowns and frivolity unite!
