Poll: Would you trade intelligence for attractiveness?

[VanQ]

Lets say for the sake of the topic that one day technology reached a point where it can make anyone more attractive than they are with no monetary cost involved. There's no contract involved, no adverse physical effects and is completely instant and painless. But there is still a price, in order for it to work, you will lose some degree of intelligence in the process. This intelligence will be unrecoverable and you can not change your mind afterward. Also, your personality won't be majorly affected, you will just get dumber.
If you already feel you are fairly attractive, you will become more so after the exchange.
Would you take up this offer? Would you be willing to sacrifice knowledge for appearance? Or would you rather be unattractive and intelligent? (I am in no way implying my fellow Escapists are unattractive, I'm merely curious)

 

[Link_to_Future]

I pride myself in my logical capacities. I have a hard enough time in my classes as is. I don't think I need to handicap myself anymore than I have to. And I don't think I look that bad as is but that might be a matter of opinion.

Plus, the girl I used to date was attractive but fairly dense. It drove me kinda insane. When an argument is initiated because she can't grasp the concept of sarcasm, then there is a problem.

I don't think I would like living like that.

 

[Hader]

To do that would be setting a standard of sorts. I don't like setting standards, they can be quite unfair.

I think it's a silly question from the get go, but suffice to say that intelligence (or probably more appropriately, knowledge) will last you a lifetime. Your looks are bound to change eventually. So why fight it?

 

[lacktheknack]

I've struck a slightly-above-average of both, so I'm fine, thanks.

 

[Raikov]

No, since I can have both. And I'm getting there, just gotta wait for the snow to melt so I can start running again...

 

[Batfred]

I pride myself in my logical capacities. I have a hard enough time in my classes as is. I don't think I need to handicap myself anymore than I have to. And I don't think I look that bad as is but that might be a matter of opinion.

Plus, the girl I used to date was attractive but fairly dense. It drove me kinda insane. When an argument is initiated because she can't grasp the concept of sarcasm, then there is a problem.

I don't think I would like living like that.

That's a pretty good answer bud and close to exactly what I was think having read he OP.

I'm a bright lad and I'm not particularly ugly, so I get by and have a pretty hot wife. In contrast, I would hate to be a good looking guy and not too bright - yeah, my teenage years would have been even more fun than they were, but where would I be now? I doubt I'd be in a cushy offce job where I am the boss.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Brilliance.

 

[Togs]

I would say "definately" if it werent for the no way back clause- curiosity to see how the other half live is the predominant factor, but being stuck like how Im imagining it? no way.

 

[CactiComplex]

I happen to be unattractive and (somewhat) intelligent, and there's no way I would switch that to be more attractive, not least because I value intelligence more than looks. In all honesty, I think there is far too much invested in how a person looks and not enough in how they look at things.

 

[Riddle78]

A sexy beast,more literal than the phrase usualy implies,or an ugly philosopher hermit...

I'd go with "Ugly Philosopher Hermit",thank you very much. Beauty will only open a few doors,but intelligence will open many more.

 

[Justanothergamer300]

In the end you will lose that attractiveness when you get older so it's not worth it

 

[Count Igor]

Eeh.
I don't know.
I'm on the fence here.
Because if I were gorgeous I could have a nice life as a model, couldn't I? As well as getting the girl.

 

[Baby Tea]

I don't like the poll, because there is no option for 'No, because I'm happy with how I look'.
I wouldn't say I'm the sexiest guy around, but I'm happy with how I look, and my wife think I'm handsome, so why would I change it? Especially at the cost of intellect? How vain, or insecure, do I have to be in order for me to consider something like this?

No thanks. Looks fade with age. Intelligence grows (barring senility).

 

[olfelix]

Not a chance. I have and always will hold brains over beauty.

 

[runnernda]

I'm doing pretty well with both, so I think I'd have to say no thank you.

 

[castlewise]

I dont remember where I read it (it may have even been here) but there was a study which said that there is strong correlation between attractiveness and intelligence.

So if you are smart you are statistically likely to be pretty, and vice versa. Kind of defeats the purpose of the poll

Edit: I read it on Kotaku or slashdot.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

depends on how big that "some degree of intelligence" is. if it's a proportional exchange, i suppose i could handle being 5% less smart in exchange for being 5% more attractive. i'm fairly intelligent, and i'm not ugly, i'm just not particularly attractive, so such a small exchange could make my life a great deal easier.

 

[Sn1P3r M98]

I don't think I'm too terrible looking, and intelligence means a lot to me, so I wouldn't do it.

 

[VanQ]

I dont remember where I read it (it may have even been here) but there was a study which said that there is strong correlation between attractiveness and intelligence.

So if you are smart you are statistically likely to be pretty, and vice versa. Kind of defeats the purpose of the poll

Sounds like an interesting study, if you happen to find it or remember its title I'd love to give it a read. I agree that every med student I know take very good care of their bodies, mostly because they know what is involved with bad lifestyles so that may have some truth to it.