Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum

Mirrors I believe had a greater impact on human society than almost any other invention. Thru the mirror we developed our sense of physical appearance--of the self as pure image-- obsessing over our bodies and our garments as mere objects to be admired or desired by others. But along with the gift of vain flattery came the curse of shamefulness over one's less than perfect face and body. The mirror is thus a two-edged sword--coaching us towards that special "look" that everyone is imagined to adore while at the same time relentlessly scolding us for our insufferable deviations from that generic norm. But for all of its flawless mimicry, the mirror never quite captures the soul that we really are. The animated and expressive person inside the body, spontaneously interacting with the world and with others. It only presents us as deadpan and posing like a thing to be examined--like a lifeless manniquin in a store window.

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+inve...ZEBXw,st:0