Numbness is just a defensive mechanism. If you stoop to being apathetic that is because you would like to be rid of pain which is something that you cannot be rid of so we say we're apathetic or numb or empty. I don't believe in that anymore, Nash. I often declare these days that I am indifferent. But when you are indifferent, there's still that nagging awareness of feeling why you are indifferent. You never could shun it...that painful feeling so we all throw big statements and fake emptiness..when we are not feeling empty. We could never feel empty unless we die.