The human skull is s a sight to behold, with its hollowed eyes and the curious arrangement of teeth that lock it into a perpetual grin. When most people see a skull, their thoughts immediately turn to death and to an intangible feeling of loss. But whenever I see one, I feel a renewed sense of hope for humanity and for life itself. No matter how awful the state of this world can become, I’ve always found some comfort in thinking that, deep down, beneath the layers of skin, cartilage, muscles, and the coils of our anxieties and grievances, we’re all actually smiling.
