The importance of facial expressions and nonverbal body language really stuck out to me during this experience, too. I never anticipated how profoundly I would miss the experience of exchanging polite smiles with strangers.
Charles Darwin wrote, “The power of communication … has been of paramount importance in the development of man; and the force of language is much aided by the expressive movements of the face … We perceive this at once when we converse on an important subject with any person whose face is concealed.” The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" (1872)
Fascinating, thank you for this open and honest piece!
I would question the part about attractive teeth indicating someone’s ability to take care of themselves & details — there’s a lot of classism related with this. Something further to explore because lookism and classism are so interconnected…!
I’m putting together a panel on Unlearning Lookism for LTHJ Global which is a DEI (diversity equity & inclusion) firm. If you’d like to connect about speaking on this please 📧 me :)
Yes, some of these people might well be saying such things to justify mask wearing - to themselves, or to others. For political or social or tribal reasons. And ... reckoning some fraction of these are likely sincere reflections.
Again, you, I, or others may rightfully disagree with any of these observations. Just nerdily pointing out that "wearing a mask over one's mouth and nose = degrading someone's appearance/attractiveness" may not be a universal reaction.
The importance of facial expressions and nonverbal body language really stuck out to me during this experience, too. I never anticipated how profoundly I would miss the experience of exchanging polite smiles with strangers.
Charles Darwin wrote, “The power of communication … has been of paramount importance in the development of man; and the force of language is much aided by the expressive movements of the face … We perceive this at once when we converse on an important subject with any person whose face is concealed.” The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" (1872)
Fascinating, thank you for this open and honest piece!
I would question the part about attractive teeth indicating someone’s ability to take care of themselves & details — there’s a lot of classism related with this. Something further to explore because lookism and classism are so interconnected…!
I’m putting together a panel on Unlearning Lookism for LTHJ Global which is a DEI (diversity equity & inclusion) firm. If you’d like to connect about speaking on this please 📧 me :)
Laura@lthjglobal.com and you can check out lthjglobal.com for context. Hope to speak with you!
+1 - thanks, LK.
Two (if random) finds on dental care and poverty:
https://twitter.com/AmberForIowa/status/1336491232357396481
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784602
Solid Essay
To each their own?
Some reflections on mask wearing and appearance here, from several notable folks on Twitter during 2020:
https://twitter.com/MattZeitlin/status/1265051912140972034
https://twitter.com/ConnieSchultz/status/1271779459985805312
https://twitter.com/djrothkopf/status/1260738842782576640
https://twitter.com/elnathan_john/status/1262419640048812033
https://twitter.com/MrCamW/status/1288361985067737088
Yes, some of these people might well be saying such things to justify mask wearing - to themselves, or to others. For political or social or tribal reasons. And ... reckoning some fraction of these are likely sincere reflections.
One more take on that here:
https://www.gq.com/story/face-masks-hot
Again, you, I, or others may rightfully disagree with any of these observations. Just nerdily pointing out that "wearing a mask over one's mouth and nose = degrading someone's appearance/attractiveness" may not be a universal reaction.