Mad Atoms

The statement “beauty is only skin deep” is generally treated as a proverb. What the adage so pithily implies is that the outward appearance of a person counts for nothing, that what lies beneath our skin – ie, our minds/personality - is what really matters. I say, not necessarily. Physical beauty may be literally superficial but beauty is actually a talent, no different from any other talent. Hear me out. 

A talent is a natural aptitude. It is neither learned nor earned. You’re born with it. It’s a gift. I fail to see the inherent difference between being born naturally athletic or musical, and being born extraordinarily attractive. 

I’m not suggesting that what’s “inside” a person doesn’t matter, nor am I saying we should obsess over physical appearance. I’m just bothered by the deeper implications here. Beauty is often resented, the very attractive seen as undeserving of their gift because they generally aren’t required to cultivate interesting personalities as a result of being so beautiful. Sure. But here’s where my problem is, and it’s twofold.

One, the concept of “deserving” an ability only seems to apply to beauty, even though athletes, rockstars, artists, can all be “undeserving” assholes and idiots.

The beautiful must self-deprecate their looks in order to seem worthy, yet Lebron James doesn't need to act like being badass at basketball is meaningless. Could a model get away with saying “I want to be the hottest girl in the world” without a backlash? Kinda hypocritical I think. 

Two, isn’t what’s “inside” us a talent too? You’re either born with an aptitude for learning, or not. With an aptitude for humor, or not. People with amazing personalities are special and rare too. Most people are just as average inside as they are out. 

Is being ugly and stupid better than being hot and stupid? No. So our little proverb is just saying that someone who is unattractive and smart is better than someone who is attractive and dumb. What I’m saying is: why must they be ranked? Aren’t both great?

I’m sorry that some people get eating disorders, but the demonization we place on aspiring to be beautiful – developing a skill for those not “gifted” - is really just choosing to embrace mediocrity for the sake of boosting people’s self-esteem. It’s sour grapes. If a guitar player said they wanted to get as good as Clapton, would you say, “That’s awful. I think that sort of thing gives other guitar players an unhealthy image to live up to.” Of course not.  

I don’t want ugly smart people modeling underwear, just like I don’t want supermodels writing the novels I read or programming my computer software. Appreciate excellence where it’s due. If you can’t be happy about the way you look without shitting on hot people, I not sure you qualify as having “inner beauty” anyway.