We’re so often entranced by what we see that we forget there is more going on underneath the surface of all things.

There is a cognitive basis for this, in the way our perceptual apparatus prioritizes vision above all other senses — and in the difficulty of “visualizing” The Unseen.

There are psychological reasons as well, including many cases in which ignoring an unpleasant truth is far preferable to dealing with it. Our ego and self-interest often gets in the way as well, flattering us into believing something is true that pleases us or benefits us.

Beware, for all that glitters is not necessarily gold.

Relates to:

• Superficiality
• Narcissism
• Emotional manipulation
• Misdirection
• Fraud
• Obstruction of justice
• Banality of evil
• Sleight of hand; magic
• Public relations & marketing
• Caveat emptor
• Counterfit
• Attention
• Abuse
• Cults
• Dystopia