SEVEN
The Mind’s Canvas
Nonverbals of the FaceW
hen it comes to emotions, our faces are the mind’s canvas.
What we feel is exquisitely communicated through a smile, a
frown, or immeasurable nuances in between. This is an evolu-
tionary blessing that sets us apart from all other species and makes us the
most expressive animals on this planet.
Our facial expressions, more than anything else, serve as our universal
language—our human crosscultural lingua franca—whether here (wher-
ever “here” is for you) or in Borneo. This international language has
served as a practical means of communication since the dawn of man, to
facilitate understanding among people lacking a common language.
When observing others, we can quickly recognize when someone ap-
pears surprised, interested, bored, fatigued, anxious, or frustrated. We
can look at our friends’ faces and see when they are displeased, doubt-
ful, contented, anguished, disappointed, incredulous, or concerned. The