Shallow gene pool

I have recently decided that liking someone just because they are smart is just as shallow as liking someone just because they are pretty.

Our phenotype is genetic. Or at least it used to be. Aside from hair dye, makeup, cosmetic surgery, etc. the way we look is determined through a combination of our parent’s genes. We can enhance our looks through clothing, jewelry and makeup, and ensure our bodies are healthy and therefore attractive through appropriate diet and exercise, but beyond this we are born with what we have and I think most will agree that some are born more physically beautiful than others without doing anything to earn it. They were just lucky. Even though they have beauty making them physically desirable it doesn’t mean they might not be a little “slow” or complete jerks. Because of this, and with the knowledge that “beauty fades” it is considered shallow to be attracted to or love someone based on physical appearance alone. There has to be something more substantial to base your love on.

Like intelligence? You never hear of anyone badmouthing someone for being attracted to someone because they’re smart, but really smart people are right there in the same lucky dream gene pool as the pretty people. Those people who are naturally smart, who can take everything in on the first go around and pass the test without taking notes or studying, who can say their alphabet backwards whilst completing a level 4 (or whatever the hardest level is) Sudoku puzzle, were lucky to be born with a brain that easily calculates, solves and learns. They didn’t necessarily do anything to earn that ability. And just because they’re smart doesn’t mean they’re not really ugly, or complete jerks. Therefore, I have concluded that to be attracted to someone just because they are smart is just as shallow as liking someone just because they are pretty.(Enter here childhood memories of the Anne of Green Gables movie when Diana says, “And Gilbert Blythe did say that being smart was better than being pretty”. FALSE. I have just discovered they are equals.)

There is a however. If a person works hard to be smart, I find that attractive. I also think it’s attractive when a person cares about their appearance and puts effort in to staying healthy and presentable. I’m not saying that a person who doesn’t have to work hard to be smart isn’t attractive. Just like there’s no denying pretty people who don’t have to try hard to be pretty are attractive, but alone smartness isn’t enough just as beauty isn’t enough. Beauty fades, sure. So does smartness. Dementia eventually will catch up in some degree with most people, and then we’ll be dumb and ugly with our car keys taken away wondering where our breakfast is even though it’s 3 in the afternoon. What have we got left? That’s what’s important. Yet despite this, no matter how sweet, thoughtful, good, or caring he may be, I don’t think I could ever become seriously involved with a stupid person and definitely not an ugly stupid person. It’s hard, but I’m starting to accept that I am a shallow person.