Smart or Attractive? Biology's Debate on Selection

  • Thread starter Thread starter Evo
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of mate selection, specifically contrasting intelligence and physical attractiveness. Participants explore personal preferences and societal implications, touching on biological and psychological aspects of attraction.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for intelligence over beauty, particularly in long-term relationships.
  • Others argue that physical attractiveness is essential, even if it means sacrificing intelligence.
  • Several participants highlight the importance of personality traits such as kindness and compassion over both intelligence and beauty.
  • Some participants question the definitions of "intelligent" and "homely," suggesting that context and specific traits matter significantly.
  • A few participants reflect on their own biases and the societal pressures regarding attractiveness and intelligence.
  • There are humorous takes on the extremes of the choices presented, with some participants joking about the implications of their selections.
  • Some participants indicate that they would prefer neither option if forced to choose, suggesting a desire for a more nuanced selection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on the importance of intelligence versus attractiveness remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying definitions of intelligence and beauty, and there are unresolved assumptions about the implications of choosing one trait over another. The discussion reflects personal biases and societal norms without arriving at a definitive conclusion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring themes of attraction, mate selection, and the interplay between physical and intellectual qualities in relationships.

If made to choose, what would be your choice?

  • your mate would be intelligent but homely

    Votes: 63 65.6%

  • your mate would be beautiful but dumb

    Votes: 33 34.4%
  • Total voters
    96
  • #61
Pretty good points. Beauty is a commodity that depreciates over the years, though an intelligent woman would likely continue to learn and develop her intellect.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #62
turbo-1 said:
Pretty good points. Beauty is a commodity that depreciates over the years, though an intelligent woman would likely continue to learn and develop her intellect.

You can trade for a younger women as you get older. :smile:
 
  • #63
JasonRox said:
You can trade for a younger women as you get older. :smile:
And many are, if their looks were the only thing they had to offer, or if it was the only quality the man was looking for, they do get dumped for younger, more attractive women.

The complete opposite is Prince Charles choosing Camilla. I hope someone will choose me when I get old and ratty looking, which, judging by the amount of stress I'm under ,will be sometime next week. Anyone out there that wants Evo, the time is now. The bugs bites are starting to fade, and I'm not scratching as much.
 
  • #64
BobG said:
Because you couldn't choose homely and dumb?

Or because you couldn't choose smart and beautiful?

Or because, in real life, the answer would be none of the above because the chances are almost nil of finding a mate that will have anything to do with you.
This reminds me of:

Two missionaries are captured by a savage tribe. Next morning one of them is brought to the Chief, who asks him: "do you choose death, or do you choose roo-roo?"

Poor missionary says "roo-roo." He is tortured for hours, then killed.

In the afternoon they take the second missionary to the Chief, who poses him the same question.

The missionary says "I choose death."

"Okay," says the chief. "But first, a little roo-roo."
 
  • #65
JasonRox said:
You can trade for a younger women as you get older.
So far it has taken 18 years for my wife and I to get accustomed to each other. The process is still ongoing. No way am I going to start over from scratch. I don't care what the new one looks like or how smart she is. By the way, I asked her which she would choose and she said that neither one mattered that much to her. Hmmm.
 
  • #66
jimmysnyder said:
So far it has taken 18 years for my wife and I to get accustomed to each other.
Wow! That was quick! :smile:
 
  • #67
Evo said:
And many are, if their looks were the only thing they had to offer, or if it was the only quality the man was looking for, they do get dumped for younger, more attractive women.

this is almost sounding like...


Evo said:
The complete opposite is Prince Charles choosing Camilla. I hope someone will choose me when I get old and ratty looking, which, judging by the amount of stress I'm under ,will be sometime next week. Anyone out there that wants Evo, the time is now. The bugs bites are starting to fade, and I'm not scratching as much.

OK---I'll bite





I know a friend of a friend of a friend that I'll send that photo of you on the beach to, to see if he's interested.
 
  • #68
rewebster said:
I know a friend of a friend of a friend that I'll send that photo of you on the beach to, to see if he's interested.
Where is he on the DD scale?
 
  • #69
Evo said:
Where is he on the DD scale?

do you mean rich and famous?
 
  • #70
rewebster said:
do you mean rich and famous?
No, cute, funny and smart.
 
  • #71
well---depends


would you rather have him cute, or smart?

----------------

(cute? :rolleyes: --what a way to describe a man! :zzz: )
 
Last edited:
  • #72
At Evo's age breathing is a criterion we should add to the list...
:ducks:
 
  • #73
jim mcnamara said:
At Evo's age breathing is a criterion we should add to the list...
:ducks:
Yes, breathing, but really bad eyesight is a plus!

Smart is primary, but I have a different appreciation for what cute is. :!)
 
  • #74
Evo said:
Yes, breathing, but really bad eyesight is a plus!

from the photos, dd fits in that category (his glasses appear to be magnifying glasses)



Evo said:
Smart is primary, but I have a different appreciation for what cute is. :!)

yes----I think most of us would have to agree with that

so--your vote on your pole is ... both? (I don't see that option)
 
  • #75
Evo said:
Yes, breathing, but really bad eyesight is a plus!

Smart is primary, but I have a different appreciation for what cute is. :!)
Think Lyle Lovett with a doctorate.
 
  • #76
rewebster said:
so--your vote on your pole is ... both? (I don't see that option)
I made the poll, I can vote for anything I want. :devil:

I'd also be willing to accept a short term lease for the holidays. I bought a bunch of firewood, but I have no one to watch it with. :cry:
 
  • #77
My masters supervisor looked a bit like DD's father. I have no photos however so Evo will just have to imagine.
 
  • #78
rather working from the top down (DD), let's see the LCD list that you have on your "have to's" ...


it may make it easier to find a luke-warm body
 
  • #79
Kurdt said:
My masters supervisor looked a bit like DD's father. I have no photos however so Evo will just have to imagine.
I don't want his father. :bugeye: Well, wait, is he breathing?
 
  • #80
rewebster said:
rather working from the top down (DD), let's see the LCD list that you have on your "have to's" ...


it may make it easier to find a luke-warm body
LCD?
 
  • #81
Evo said:
I don't want his father. :bugeye: Well, wait, is he breathing?

See? Toldya so.
 
  • #82
Evo said:
I don't want his father. :bugeye: Well, wait, is he breathing?

I don't think he's that much older really, just his hair has turned brilliant white which I thought was quite a nice feature.
 
  • #83
LCD=lowest common denominator

-------------

NOT Lavish/Laughing Cerebral Drop-dead handsome
 
Last edited:
  • #84
rewebster said:
LCD=lowest common denominator

-------------

NOT Lavish Cerebral Drop-dead handsome
:smile:

Thick glasses, reclussive, eccentric, smart, funny, tousled hair, skinny, tall. I love big noses.

Out of all of the men on this forum, you'd think some would fit this description. :confused:
 
Last edited:
  • #85
Evo said:
:smile:

Thick glasses, reclussive, eccentric, smart, funny, tousled hair, skinny, tall. I love big noses.

Out of all of the men on this forum, you'd think some would fit this description. :confused:

:rolleyes:

11.08.05.big_nose_sam_01.jpg


55760427_38993a6f10.jpg


:biggrin:?
 
  • #86
Evo said:
:smile:

Thick glasses, reclussive, eccentric, smart, funny, tousled hair, skinny, tall. I love big noses.

Out of all of the men on this forum, you'd think some would fit this description. :confused:

well, I think I have enough now to submit your description of the man you're looking for plus one of those photos you posted to put on match.com and cupid.com------I sure we'll get SOME responses before Xmas----then, again---maybe not...

----------------------

hey--if you're already on those sites (or some other ones)--post a link to your profile
 
Last edited:
  • #87
That dog looks like its in the Blair Witch project.
 
  • #88
Moridin said:
:rolleyes:

11.08.05.big_nose_sam_01.jpg
I said skinny.

55760427_38993a6f10.jpg


:biggrin:?
That's more like it, he needs longer tousled hair and glasses though. <sigh>
 
  • #89
Big nose and skinny looks worse!
 
  • #90
JasonRox said:
Big nose and skinny looks worse!
nuh-uh
 

Similar threads

Synthetic Biology, What Might It Do?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Do biologists agree on a definition of "species"?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Virus mutation by artificially guided selection
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Examination project of EEG, Opinions and feedback
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Is There a Point to Theoretical Science in Biology?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Is epigenetics an additional mechanism for natural selection?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Book Review: The Gene's-Eye View of Evolution
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Epothilone B study connected to 'Hard Problem of Consciousness' Model
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Biology research - do ppl have to argue for how relevant+interesting it is?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Question about evolution of animal species
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
14K