Physical appearance vs. Intelligence: A Serious Question.

[LogGrad98]

I wrote a good, well thought out response to this... which culminated with me telling JSL to "quit being a bitch", but the damn thing timed out on me.

I'm kinda pissed off now.


But essentially appearance is on the outside, intelligence is on the inside... you can fake intelligence and hide stupidity. You can't fake ugly.

Your opinion, determines your outlook on your intelligence
Others opinions, determines your outlook on appearance.

Which is why a "stupid joke" is easily jested and shrugged off, and a "fat joke" isn't.

 

[JohnStockalypse]

But essentially appearance is on the outside, intelligence is on the inside... you can fake intelligence and hide stupidity. You can't fake ugly.

But why does that make one more acceptable to mock and not the other? Are you saying that one person should have to hide thier deficiency but the other shouldn't? Why? This day and age you can certainly hide ugly. Through the interenet you can get anything you need and never leave your house to subject the world to your deficiency in attractiveness.

 

[JohnStockalypse]

I don't recall ever endorsing ridicule or people. I only endorse ridicule of ideas, and endeavor to hold myself to that standard.

But why do you think it is generally more acceptable to ridicule one over the other? Or do you think my whole perception and question is without merit?

 

[One Brow]

But why do you think it is generally more acceptable to ridicule one over the other?

Neither is acceptable to me. Therefore, one can not be more acceptable, as both are unacceptable.

 

[JohnStockalypse]

OK, but why do you think in general find one more acceptable and the other immature, childish, or mean spirited? Or do you disagree that such a disparity exists amongst the general population?

 

[One Brow]

OK, but why do you think in general find one more acceptable and the other immature, childish, or mean spirited? Or do you disagree that such a disparity exists amongst the general population?

I assume you meant "people in general". Again, I think the confusion of knowledge vs. intelligence is a big part of it, as is the lack of a physical marker for intelligence.

 

[JohnStockalypse]

So because they can't tell by looking at some if they're dumb it's ok to call them dumb? But if you can tell that someone is fat and ugly you shouldnt call them fat and ugly? Doesn't that seem a little backwards? Very un-scientific.

 

[Bronco70]

I would like to preface the following comment by saying it is not directed at any particular individual, and that I am as guilty as anyone else:

Ideally, we should be dignified and respectful to everyone - I believe that, generally, purposefully hurtful comments are a mechanism for dealing with one's own inadequacies.

 

[PearlWatson]

Lol!!!!

 

[JohnStockalypse]

Ideally, we should be dignified and respectful to everyone

Any thoughts on why most people look down more on someone who insults physical appearance over intelligence?

 

[Bronco70]

Lol!!!!

I probably deserve that, and I'm certainly not surprised that you would weigh in thusly.

Any thoughts on why most people look down more on someone who insults physical appearance over intelligence?

I would assume that more people have self esteem issues connected to appearance than to intelligence. For that reason, I think people are more sensitive about it.

I think men and women are more likely to cut some slack to a beautiful-but-dumb person than to a less-attractive-but-smart person. It's easier to write a person off immediately based on appearance than on intelligence.

But that's my opinion...

 

[JohnStockalypse]

If it's easier to write someone off on looks than intelligence why is it "worse" to insult appearance?