Average intelligence + above average looks > above average intelligence + below average looks
An intelligent but unattractive person would be below an attractive person in the eyes of society regardless, unless they were a completely retard of course. You'd have to be a genius for intelligence to make a real difference, but even someone with genius level intelligence would probably not be a pantie dropper - unless they were also attractive, of course.
Intelligence might get you ahead in your professional life at best, which is better than nothing of course, but is it going to provide you real genuine happiness and quality of life? Which is what we're all after, I guess. So no, I would not say intelligence is the most important, some people are also too intelligent for their own good.
However, I do agree with the fact that Dante should use what he has to improve his life. I just don't think that being intelligent will magically give him the life he wants, although it might improve parts of it.
I'll just respond to your comment although I'm aware of other posts in the same 'debate'. Have not read them all though(so I may be repetitive).
I think you have made a very good point about aesthetic value vs IQ, and it made me realize why it started a very complicated and multifactored debate which is highly subjective and point-of-view dependant.
Despite it's highly correlational impact on one another I'd still choose to divide your ''equated issue'' in two sub-cathegories:
1)Your external(societal) value and it's impact, and the impact of your
2)Internal subjective POV
External:
Maybe it's already been mentioned, but there are some very crucial ''variables'' in your equation that will affect whether it's true or not in my humble opinion. Here I will list a few that come to mind right away in no particular order:
- Culture and religion (yeah I choose to put them in the same ''basket'' xD)
- Age
- Time in history
- Male/Female
- Finance
- Looks/IQ ratio
- Supply/Demand ratio
- Unpredictable variables
Without quoting any studies or something, I'm sure we'll all agree there are huge cultural differences in placing importancy on looks, something which can (to an extent) also be seen on geographical representativeness on this (sub)forum. In more conservative societies other things are far more important f.ex.
Age;Whether or not your 20 or 60, it's definitely not the same qualities which emphasis is placed upon (desirebility etc).
Time in history: Today one can work hard and earn a better-looking nose, ears etc. This was not possible a century ago. Also, this factor in combo with geographical (things change->feminism) and other factors gives another X.
Male/Female; Clearly this is a huge variable, especially in combo with where, when and what age gives many, many outcomes.
Finance: Do you have a chance of earning yourself a better mane? Inheritence, contacts etc.
Looks/IQ ratio: Somethimes extreme looks will be enough so that you don't need brains, but a slightly less good looks will demand some career planning etc making the right decisions. (compesation). Likewise: Extreme IQ may give you the life of Warren Buffet.
Supply/Demand: Imagine 3rd world war where 30% of men die in battle. I can
(just kiddin, but you get the point) - also often combined with other variables such as politics (China's one baby-rule) how sorry am I not for those poor bastard of males
Unpredictable variables
Internal:
Mostly how external(objective) factors impact your mentality dependable on genetic traits such as personality and IQ.
Personally I'd rather choose to suffer reality over an comfortable fantasy. Harsh truth><comfy lie? Here's where IQ comes into play (with other personality factors). If you are born with an above average IQ, it could give you access to incredible tools which you could use to bend the reality to your will if enough energy is put in. It may give you an edge in realising your current situation and it's seriousness in an objective way, and to really be able to dig out of the pit(solve the problem) you must first identify it. Lower IQ beings' only answer would be a prayer (which is fine btw) because they themselves can't do anything about it. We're all different.
But, lower IQ may also be ones saviour. Have you never fantasized about how great it would be if you didn't know all the dangers of ''eating junk food'', ''traveling to western crowded places'' and all of the information which in turn may make you an hypochondriac? But would you give up this knowledge tomorrow just to be able to enjoy life fully? Great knowledge->great burden in most cases. Not all, though (Che Guevara choose to smoke although a doctor and asthmatic).
Anyway - My original post's intent was not motivational(side effect)...it was more observational. Dante's got such a great combo of neurons and synapses inside of his scull I doubt he wont find a way in the end. I do however wish Dante all the best, and one last thing;
It would be interesting to see what kind of respect Dante would get if we all met in the real world, given the past experiences on the forum. I have atleast asked myself this...
Sorry for the longest post