View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DebateIncelz/s/u5h9WKSr0M
Look at his post history. He is always making high-IQ threads.
Anatomy is Destiny
When some of us say "your life is largely determined before you were even born," people in this sub who want to “debate us” often respond with, "oh yeah man, looks and height aren’t the only things that matter."
However, I want to bring your attention to an article from the New York Times, written back in 1981. This article offers valuable insight into the social issues we still face today, and it was penned by a female university professor. Here's a quote from it:
> "Minneapolis studies of physical attractiveness show that people do, in fact, judge a book by its cover, often with dramatic effects on those being judged. The findings suggest that expectations based on physical attractiveness can become self-fulfilling prophecies that may strongly influence the course of a person's life."
Indeed. You could even say that looks and physical traits determine the course of a person’s life.
Most people are typically concerned about how they’re perceived by the opposite sex, but your looks influence far more than that. Your appearance affects various aspects of your life, as shown in studies (such as [this one](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4757567/)).
The truth can be uncomfortable. When you say this out loud, people often resist because it challenges their core belief that we control our own futures and success (a belief rooted in [free will](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/freewill/)).
But the truth is, looks and height do strongly impact the trajectory of your life. They often set off a chain reaction: one thing triggers another, leading to a ripple effect, as explored in research like this [study](https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.81.1.116).
Looks are a major determining factor in nearly every aspect of life.
I’m not saying that you can’t accomplish something great otherwise, but you would have to be exceptionally talented and hardworking. In fact, you’ll likely have to work twice as hard to achieve the same chances and opportunities ([study](https://humboldt-dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/2148/624/ThesisFinal.pdf)).
Dr. Berscheid, a psychologist who studied these topics for years, explained the growing importance of physical attractiveness, especially in a world of frequent job changes and first impressions. She said:
> "The importance of physical attractiveness is growing and will continue to grow as increases in geographic mobility, frequent job changes, and divorce subject more people to 'one-time' or 'few-time' interactions with others, in which they are judged on the basis of first impressions."
And indeed, what she predicted came to pass. But even she may have been surprised by the magnitude of this impact ([source](https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1908630116)).
Dr. Berscheid also acknowledged the darker side of our obsession with appearance:
> "Genetic determinism is anathema to Americans, who want to believe everyone is born equal, with an equal chance for a happy life. It's simply not so. The most important factors governing success in life are genetically determined: appearance, intelligence, sex, and height."
While she was spot on about looks and height, I personally think opportunities and environment—rather than intelligence—are just as important. Your place of birth, family background, and other factors are largely determined by luck, as explained in this [study](https://data.who.int/countries/426), which shows how these elements shape a person's life.
Dr. Berscheid pointed out that preferential treatment for the physically attractive starts at birth and continues through childhood and adulthood. This isn’t just about superficiality; it’s a systemic bias that affects nearly every interaction.
Studies over the last few decades have only confirmed what she said—and even expanded on it. Looks are more important than we initially thought ([source](https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0092656621000131)).
So, yes, anatomy is destiny. You can’t really fight destiny.
Dr. Berscheid also noted that as women become more independent socially and economically, the emphasis on men's physical attractiveness has increased. The rise of male centerfolds and the sexualization of men in the media is a testament to this shift. But even she likely underestimated the effects of looks in today’s world, especially considering the rise of dating apps and new ways we connect.
When people say, "You're just an inkwell dude," you have to ask: Are they calling Dr. Berscheid an inkwell too? Because she was on the front lines of this research, and even she couldn’t have predicted how deeply ingrained physical appearance would become in our social and economic lives.
As Dr. Berscheid wisely concluded:
> "When romantic love becomes an important factor in social choice, physical attractiveness becomes important also."
The harsh truth is, we are not just loved for who we are, but for how we look. This can be painful, but it’s essential to understand, especially if you find yourself in the position of being unattractive and wondering why certain opportunities seem out of reach.
Dr. Berscheid’s final warning:
> "Unattractive children who are unpopular may wrongly attribute their lack of popularity to some flaw in their character or personality. Such an error could result in lasting and painful scars."
This happens all the time, and it often drives people to misguided self-help solutions, like those found in the redpill and PUA communities. The truth is, it’s often not about what you’re doing wrong—it’s about how you look.
The bottom line: Anatomy is destiny. And while you can’t fight it, you can navigate it. Let the truth guide you.
