When You Think About It. Appearance Counts

Photo CNN/Words F LoBuono

They say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I get the metaphor: it's what's inside that counts the most. And, I agree - basically. It's important to avoid shallow misconceptions based solely on perception. Still, when you think about it, there are thousands of artists who design book covers who would disagree. It is a well known fact that many readers simply buy a book because they are impressed by the cover art. It's what attracts them to the book in the first place. Without that "hook", most books would never get read. Therefore, appearances ARE important - very important.

The same can be said of the human condition.

There is ALWAYS a message in appearances, including our own. Always. It is inevitable. As social animals, judging by appearance is even critical. As soon as meet someone we are judging them: friend or foe - fight or flight. It happens immediately and can even be measured physiologically. So, how we present ourselves, providing a first and maybe ONLY impression, is ultra-important. In a sense, it would not be inaccurate to say we are what we show. Some people are peacocks while others are are just plain 'ol sparrows. Each sends its own message. Spectacular or plain there is something said by each. What lies beneath may be a different matter entirely and should not be dismissed. However, what's on the surface matters, too.

With this in mind, I am attempting to fathom exactly what the presumptive GOP nominee for President of the United States, Donald Trump, wants us to take away from HIS appearance.

First, let's analyze The Hair. It's HUGE! As a photographer, I've seen it up close. And, it's a thing of engineering beauty. It appears to be some type of complex "layering" with whatever hair he actually has left. He takes a very long clump of it and swirls it upon itself to create the appearance of an abundant amount of hair.  The look achieved might be described as a POMPADOUR. But, he doesn't actually have a LOT of hair. He has SOME hair that he uses to create the impression that he is not so follically challenged. In other words, it's a ruse.

Then, there's the color of his skin. By it's unnaturally golden "glow" I assume that Mr. Trump is either using some type of artificial skin "bronzer", or spends a good deal of his spare time in a tanning both. The fact that his eyes appear lighter than the rest of his face leads me to believe that he is wearing goggles when he artificially tans, making the latter scenario most likely. One way or the other, under certain lighting condition, the combination of hair and fake tan creates the illusion of a GOLDEN MAN. Because of this, I've always want to call him GoldFinger, after the legendary gold worshiping villain of Bond movie fame!

So, when you think about it, what, exactly, does this man want us to take from his appearance? What message is he sending within what he shows us?

I think that it's pretty obvious - everything about it says, I'm Big. I'm Bold. I'm Brassy (and I'm fake). Without even taking his aggressive body language and speech into consideration it should be obvious to nearly everyone that this man is an Egomaniac and a Narcissist. It's written all over him - literally. In other words, he is very impressed with himself and he needs the world to know it. He might as well stand there and scream, LOOK AT ME. LOOK HOW WEALTHY I AM!

Personally, I don't care about his gold - either in his pocket or splashed over his hair and face. It's not what I am about and I don't care for it much in people - especially those I expect to lead this Country. It's a fake appearance - a phony visage that's all Sound and Fury signifying nothing. Money can't buy everything. It sure can't buy my vote. Do not be fooled by False Profits and Phony Saviors.