Why does society (in general) place such a high value on beauty when it serves no functional purpose?

[Wonderer89]

It’s not like other attributes that add value to a person, like intelligence or specific talents that could be used to better ones life - so why is it so important?

[oddwaffle]

Do you know why the male peacock has a tail so long it can't fly? The whole purpose for such a tail was for decoration and attracting females. It seems to serve no other function of what so ever.

The reality is that it survey the purpose of presenting good genes. It shows the peacock have genes that are healthy and disease resistant as well as attractive.

Human is a lot more complex. We don't have one single strong indicator saying "this guy has excellent genes". We have navigate through several direct and indirect indicators to look for a good mate.

Being ugly means you will have a hard time finding mates. That means the gene that makes you look ugly is undesirable. Vice versa, the gene that makes you look pleasing would be desirable and let you find more mates.

One the other hand, being rich is an indication of having good genes esp when you are self made. Being smart is the potential for being rich. Being charismatic means you have the potential to attract a lot of mates and amass a lot of wealth - this very desirable.

[claw09]

Biology 101 right here.

[BronzedAdonis]

it does serve a purpose, its a sign of genetic fitness and assists in natural selection/mating decisions

[Wonderer89]

In the Stone Age yeah, using that template now is saying Holly Madison has more value than Stephen Hawking or Judit Polgar when we simply know that people have more to them than their appearance - but people won’t use that

[BronzedAdonis]

depends on your values, some people place a premium on intelligence others on beauty, they both serve a functional/evolutionary purpose and have their place.

the harsh reality is people are shallow, just because your intelligent doesn't necessarily make you attractive and desirable, people won't want to mate with you and your genes will die out so beauty does have relevance in modern world

[Wonderer89]

It is the reality, but these days should it be. Should we not have grown passed treasuring something that in essence, isn’t required for our species to continue when we have the technology, communication and skills to continue.
Not just for relationships either, but for everything interpersonal

[BronzedAdonis]

that's life son

[BronzedAdonis]

think of it like this, would you go to a supermarket and buy things blindfolded, uinsure of what you're getting?

[Aguamarina]

It serves evidence of genetic fitness because looks are correlated with that.

[Being_a_good_Indian]

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the pasion that she knows. No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful. What's the whole point of being pretty on the outside when you’re so ugly on the inside? Outer beauty attracts while inner Beauty captivates.

[Being_a_good_Indian]

In this case My interpretation.

👍=👍
👎=👍

[Kaazsz]

Because despite popular belief, humans are nothing but stupid animals. We are. We are literally animals. We are ANIMALS. Seriously, like in kids programs where a businessman dog in a suit sees a frisbee fly by and he loses all self control and runs off and chases it, yea that's exactly how humans are. We just don't want to admit it. Society is translated through our biology and the results are very interesting!

[winterfox10]

Because it’s nice to be around attractive people! It makes your day more pleasant, people are nicer to you, attractive people bring more attractive people around... beauty serves as an indicator of desirable genetic quality, so it actually does have a use.

[Savager]

Because humanity is a failed race. It needs immediate reforms as a society and a species or it'll die pretty soon. The lower intellect share of the population needs to be purged asap, this is the stupid percentage which organises shit like beauty pageants. Imagine that money put in research.

[demonics]

Physical attractiveness is an outward sign of reproductive health and genetic fortitude. Not rocket science here. We're talking millions of years of evolution. Or is evolution not a thing anymore because someone's feelings are hurt?

[Wonderer89]

Oh yes 🙄 of course asking a societal question must mean it’s personal and that my snow flake feelings are bruised because no one could possibly want me.

Hopefully you’re pretty 👍🏻

[cattertone]

In a 100 generations humans will have evolved to be so beautiful that people from today would probably see them as gods

[demonics]

Don't take it personal sweetheart, people love to project their insecurities in these articles and posts i've noticed. When nature displays a standard that 'lesser people' can't live up to, (i. e. men are naturally attracted to *something you don't have*) they throw science out of the window in lieu of some social justice policy, (read feminism) after having just cited science in defense of something else.

"There are no ugly women, only lazy ones." - Helena Rubinstein

I'm hot as fuck, ma'am.

[Wonderer89]

Oh completely nailed it mate. I’m just looking for reasons why I’m #foreveralone (though that could be from the fact I use hashtags) and why I haven’t been able to trap in a man for his superior seed yet given my advanced age. Given that I haven’t been able to I need to find reasons that aren’t due to my own flaws and blame it on others mmhmm.

Doubtful

[demonics]

32 would be 'advanced age' you've got a couple years of fight left in ya before men like me start looking at the 19-25 year olds again. Ironically enough think back to when you were 19 and what men you preferred.

www.reactiongifs.com/.../...nd-eric-mind-blown.gif

[Wonderer89]

Oh I’m not looking for men like you, relax! I need to stay within my own league and pick from Trollboy, Smellybreath, Threewomantony and Oldenoughtobemydad but just in case I ordered my cat lady starter pack online and should have that up and running shortly.
Thanks for making me see the error in my ways dude! I’ll definitely be sure to never, ever ask questions out of interest because smart men like you can just see right into my insecure desparity over my hideousness

[demonics]

If you live in a world where everyone is kissing your ass, the truth becomes offensive. Going back to the original topic, beauty lets you get away with so much in life, because everyone wants to fuck you, but if you're ugly, life can be pretty rough, you lash out, you project, you entertain delusions professed by people who want your money instead of your body. Exhibit A: cdn.fashionmagazine.com/.../...s-s-ze-model-01.png *Breaking News from the future* Tess Holiday loses 200lbs, "Never felt sexier in my life!" Divorces husband of 15 years to pursue fling with Raul Hotness Chiseledchin. Fat feminists feel betrayed!"

Supposedly women hate being catcalled... until they haven't been catcalled in years. These and other such disconnects often require an outside observer to convey to the individual in question, I think the kids call it "mansplaining?" No ones demeaning you sugartits, we're trying to educate you on the REAL world

[demonics]

... you in the teeth at 32 and now you're a bitter old feminist yelling at Tube posters.

[Wonderer89]

Why wait for 32 when I can do it now! If I gain 200lb first it’ll be a far quicker progression into spinsterhood getting rid of my minuscule available dating pool and I could really ramp up the bitter to a whole new level. 🤔 could stop shaving my armpits and use crystals for deodorant and totes give the multidimensional feminazi a crack.

[demonics]

Crystal healing is rad yo.

[Wonderer89]

Edumacate yourself, they’re to stop smelly pits. Everyone knows they don’t heal, that went out when Pluto was demoted as a planet. Reiki is the healer now

[Cody01]

The functional purpose of being attractive enough to reproduce with. Shows you likely have good genetics. Like this is basic biology. Well I did, I don't know if you paid attention to the sexual selection part.

[Cody01]

Is not of

[Anonymous]

It does serve a purpose. Most beauty is associated with health, and health is an indicator of genetic health, and this is linked to fertility and choice of who to have a family with.

[Wonderer89]

Not necessarily, particularly these days. 1 in 6 couples will need assistance in conceiving so physical appearance as a fertile indicator isn’t always accurate 😊

[Catskills]

If a woman carries herself well, good hygiene, dresses nice, is sweet and friendly with a good heart,, that is what matters the most,, this kind of girl is beautiful

[cth96190]

Clearly, you do not understand biology and natural selection.
What you call beauty are indicators of health, fertility and the ability to produce good quality offspring.

[godcomplexx]

Doesn't serve a purpose? Physical attraction is the first step to talking to someone, so on and so forth.

[Wonderer89]

Because people place value in it, if physical beauty wasn’t relevant dating would be a completely different ball game

[godcomplexx]

Yea if the world was blind or everyone had no distinguishable features. But visual appeal is the first thing you notice... Maybe you love the smile... Or them big beautiful brown eyes... Its your first thing. Would you be with someone you find visual repulsive?

[MasterAdvice]

Because we are naturally attracted to something beautiful. It's pleasant to our sight. And to me, beauty=talent. Even if you don't have talents people will help you get one because they don't want your looks to go to waste.

[Savager]

Einstein was right about humans.

[MasterAdvice]

@Savager Doesn't mean I agree with it. Just stating the facts.

[Kuraj]

I think beauty actually serves more purpose than any other human trait.
Some of the dumbest people have become rich simply because they look good, that surely is a purpose.

[Tony_1693]

Biological wiring. Pretty much just comes down to that.

[lufver]

It does serve a functional purpose... Physical attraction (and by association beauty) is a major aspect of human procreation. Without it, the human race would cease to exist!

[BeHappy1985]

"serves no functional purpose" 😂 .. like the guys already said, survival/higher chance of getting a mate.. but a lot more perks come with beauty than just reproduction..

[daniel_shalome]

Because That's The First Thing We See - Humans are Visual Animals By Nature

[Artemisia8]

Because we like beauty? Beautiful people seem more trustworthy

[Nerdking]

Yep i believed that up till my ex decided to cheat, beautiful people have greater opportunities:)

[Anonymous]

People are visual creatures. We are attracted to what we find pleasing to look at, I guess.

[Dale1982]

Society down at place value on it, people do. It's one of those things everybody should know

[Anonymous]

You're a girl lol, you tell us. Girls claim to be the ones who care about personality but somehow they only consider guys 6ft and up to be human males.

[Nerdking]

You forgot, has to have a 4pk with a high paying job and able to leap tall buildings and run across water.
Women choose beauty > personality, even when he's an ass they compromise

[lionking98]

I’m 5’10 :)

[DJZest]

Yes, it does. Beauty adds so much to a person's being, at least for men. This is why you lovely ladies go out of your way to appeal to us.

[TheChatWanderer]

It does serve a purpose, Medium at best. Like take a look in the mirror, You're hot.

[OlderGuy965]

Good question! Some of the most interesting people I've met or been with are less than attractive

[gjd47233]

Helps ensure species survival. The more attractive person is more likely is to be in situations to breed

[Im_watching_you]

I think people do becouse it os the first things the person sees

[Anonymous]

A girl didn't want to be my girlfriend, because I look like a terrorist, in her opinion. 😂

[TheChatWanderer]

Chicks dig terrorists

[Opinion Owner]

Not in my country 😅

[TheChatWanderer]

They're missing out just always tell yourself that.

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks 😊

[Nocrying5]

It makes things better.

[Auctor]

We've been doing this since the beginning of time

[mithram]

i don't know what is it, but it make's me happy :/

[Tohru]

Because they're hot and nice to look at

[Tron5678]

Because sex sells.