via This Isn’t Happiness, from the National Geographic 2008 International Photography Contest
*I don’t know why I react that strongly to this picture or why I find it that disturbing. It just has this effect on me. It makes me think that something is profoundly wrong with the world.

[shudder]
So I’m not the only one, who reacts to it that way? That’s good to hear.
To me it seems like a hopeful and compassionate photo. A little girl, perhaps a burn victim, can see herself as beautiful again.
Interesting, how the same picture invokes different feelings…
this is reeeeally sad.
Yes, it is. But at the same time, it’s not.
she IS beautiful. There IS something profoundly wrong with the world. She suffered directly from it. But she is more beautiful than any other “normal” little girl. This isn’t disturbing, it’s eye opening.
Of course she’s beautiful, never said that she wasn’t. Though I wouldn’t say that she was more beautiful than any other little girl.
this girl is more beautiful than anyone. all those people who say she isnt dont have to put a bag over their face but over their personality. i hope this girl realizes she is beautiful. god bless