Maybe there something to this ‘lookism’ theory that attractive people are generally more successful. I know one person who may have gotten promoted (in part) because she’s got a lot of charisma. She is thin, dresses in fashion, always look good, smells good, etc. She’s fairly good at the job too (dedicated), but there was some less attractive people that were just as qualified who have been employed with at same company much longer.

Life isn’t fair. You have play the hand you get dealt as best you can.

There is more to being attractive than just having a pretty face…

Nope. There have been numerous studies that show that people who hire, tend to favor the more beautiful people. That means physical beauty has an impact well beyond just “certain occupations”.

Only in certain occupations where it makes a big difference─modeling, acting, etc. There aren’t many Ugly leading actors. The actress that plays Ugly Betty actually looks pretty nice when she’s off screen and not made up to look like a geek.

Given that only a small percentage of people are considered to be supermodel beautiful then that leaves a much larger percentage that are not. I don’t know of many science careers that require you to beautiful. Maybe they do choose science communicators that are more appealing visually or just for the aesthetics. Having the ability to communicate effectively should be a higher priority. When on screen or on stage, people pay attention most to what they find attractive. Sometimes, the message can be what’s keeping the audience from straying, like when you insert some humor or good stories into your talk.

Arguably, being smart is a bit more “productive” than being beautiful but that’s a road down utilitarian ethics I’d rather not travel.

But it does bother me when people are dismissive of/rude towards/disrespectful of others who are not intelligent as them. We’re all people, and some are better at academics than others; but some are better painters than others, or better singers, or better at fixing a car. Etc. The only trait really worth disrespecting is douchebaggery, but lots of people forget that.

……

In my experience, beauty is a good icebreaker or tiebreaker, but it can’t sustain anything of substance. All else equal, I’ll chose the pretty one, but if it’s just pretty vs funny or compassionate, pretty is low on the list of important qualities.

I’m fooinnne and it hasn’t helped me. I guess it depends a lot on personality, too.