Answer Me This, Would Looking Smart Help?

By coincidence I had recently brought up in my classes the idea that good looks increase an individual's earnings relative to average looks. Now, along comes the St. Louis Fed with an article that discusses new findings that confirm that very point.

It turns out that the "plainness penalty" is 9 percent, while the "beauty premium" equals 5 percent, according to the research cited. Furthermore, there is other research showing that obesity impairs earnings, but only among white women. Then there is still more research showing a "height premium" for white men. No wonder there is so much plastic surgery these days. I'm waiting for some enterprising economist to relate earnings increases to boob jobs, tummy tucks, and face lifts. Maybe a boob job would prove to be a better investment than the stock market. Only if you're a woman, of course!

I think I see a connection here that everyone else has overlooked. Michael Jackson earned millions when he was still an attractive young black man. Now, he apparently earns a pittance compared to the good old days. Could this be due to his looks? It wasn't me who called him a grotesque white woman, but there might be plenty of people who would agree with that assessment of his appearance. In any case, I can't do anything about my looks. I've had people tell me I look smart. I wonder if that helps.