People look a lot alike. There are so many similarities. Eyes, noses, ears, mouths, etc.

No one is going to mistake a person for a rock or tree or sprinkler head.

But small differences in appearance can have a dramatic impact on how people are perceived by others and the opportunities they receive.

These sisters look a lot alike. They’re twins. But Gisele is worth about $400M, and her sister Patricia is worth $4M.

If small changes in appearance make a big deal to other people, just think about how changes—especially those that happen instantaneously—affect the person whose appearance has been changed.

It’s easy to downplay the significance of a change in someone else’s appearance. “Oh, the crooked nose makes her face more interesting.” “The scar adds character.” “Everyone will know he has a great story to tell.”

This concept—that it’s easy to minimize things that happen to other people—brings to mind a quote from Dave Chappelle: “It’s funny until it happens to you.”

He was talking about cancel culture. But it rings true in so many respects.

Even small changes in appearance can have a profound impact on self-esteem, mental health, social interactions, and even career prospects.

Small changes in appearance caused by someone else’s negligence can make big differences in how people feel about themselves and their quality of life.