"Normally these stories begin with "I remember this day just like it was yesterday". But that would be lying. To whom I'll be lying is an unexplored question, but a lie for sure.

I don't remember the day. I don't remember making the decision. It just happened. I stopped smiling. I see the question popping out of your eyes, young Maud. Never laughed? you are wondering.

Of course, I laughed. And smiled. I'm a socially well-adjusted human being after all. I know what is supposed to be funny, when and how to slowly make a smile grow on my face. But most humans are too much in their phones to recognize a real smile. Thanks to generative art and deep fake videos, most haven't seen a real smile for several years.”

Full story: