Artificial or Just Superficial?

Living in Los Angeles, and even more than that, close to Hollywood, the idea of artificial and superficial blend in. But, at a closer look, they might even be synonymous.
"Artificial: Made in imitation of something natural; simulated, not genuine or natural." "Superficial - shallow, materialistic, and even exhibiting false emotions through an exaggerated affect display."

How many times did you really mean the expression "How are you?" Were you really interested in how that person was doing or...