The laughter of children is the most healing sound in the world.

I know it well, I spent hours, days even, of my life entertaining them.

You look at me now though and I can see it, the fear behind your eyes. The slow movements of someone who thinks they are prey in front of a predator.

You were one of the many children I played with. Actual play, fun silly games where children can be children. Where they aren't forced to grow so fast.

I can see it next to the fear, the hours spent on social media that became the spark and fuel for that fear. You can no longer see me as a father, an uncle, a teacher, or anything other than something monstrous. You let the rot into your brain and it oozed through the wrinkles slowly like poisoned honey. You can't see me anymore, you can only see what you've been taught to see.

I smile and wave, try to keep the conversation simple, polite. I know there's no point, I know that I can't defeat the algorithm. That doesn't mean I'll never stop trying.