this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2025
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A genie appears before you and says you must choose to be very physically attractive, but slightly below average intelligence, or very intelligent, but slightly below average attractiveness? Which would you choose, and why?

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[–] MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Clever but slightly below average attractiveness? Yes, I'll take that. It would be a double upgrade for me.

[–] KnightOfOldEmpire@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 days ago

Attractive, it's wild how people are more likely to help you in either small or greater acts or be willing to overlook some of your flaws.

[–] Bearlydave@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

I chose Chameleon from the Xanth universe.

[–] gazter@aussie.zone 5 points 2 days ago

I think I'd rather be smart. I'm honestly often so impressed with beautiful people, because that shit takes work.

I can roll out of bed, pull my three week old sauce stained shirt over my gut, and go do smart shit with a terrible haircut and no one gives a fuck.

Beautiful people will have chosen matching outfits worth thousands, spent an hour on hair and makeup, all after a morning gym session, and they'll keep that hair perfect all day, getting their spa session in and finding time to do their nails.

How do they even have time to cook a healthy well balanced meal?

[–] HelixDab2@lemm.ee 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Honestly, according to IQ tests, I'm already in the 95th+ percentile for intelligence. I'm also on the autism spectrum, and just got diagnosed with severe ADHD late last year. I've accomplished fuck-all by being smart, and it's mostly made me depressed. I'd pick being slightly dumb, but hot.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

What IQ is the 95th percentile?

Edit: huh, if this chart is accurate then I'm in the 99th percentile based on the score I have repeatedly received from multiple tests. This can't be right. I'm not that smart!

[–] HelixDab2@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm officially in the 99th+ percentile, but IIRC your score gets less accurate the farther you deviate from the mean. And a high reasoning ability is absolutely no predictor of success in life.

Plus, I feel like a douchebag when I say shit like, "oh, my IQ is 140..." as if that's some kind of achievement or worth something all on it's own.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Right? I never talk about it unless someone else brings it up first and doesn't have an embarrassing score. LOL. I have a friend who took the test when we were in high school, and was bragging about how he got a 98. He wasn't smart enough to realize that's not a good score. The rest of us were like "oooh, that's greeeeat!".

[–] aeki@slrpnk.net 5 points 2 days ago

How about slightly below both but with some solid executive functioning and 0 mood disorders? I'll take that.

[–] deadcatbounce@reddthat.com 5 points 2 days ago

Beautiful.

I've tried the other way already. Not so good.

[–] Enkrod@feddit.org 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So... the genie offers to make me look better by increasing my looks to only slightly below average? Noice!

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago
[–] daniskarma@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm already smart and beautiful.

Isn't there a genie out there that cures anxiety?

[–] deadcatbounce@reddthat.com 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Not really a genie, more of a willo the wisp, but I get it from a bloke called Spider. It's very more-ish.

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 14 points 3 days ago (1 children)

My intelligence makes me depressed, so beautiful.

[–] SpaceFox@lemmy.ml 7 points 3 days ago

As someone with below average intelligence I can tell you it really doesn't. Trust me, having a low intelligence doesn't make your life easier it just makes it harder and puts you at a massive disadvantage. It's the most soul crushing experience there is. You can become beautiful but intelligence is forever, be thankful for what you've got.

[–] BigBenis@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

If we're talking 90+ percentile then no question I'd go with smarts and use it to have a big impact on some field of science. Otherwise I'd probably still pick smarts but it's more of a tossup.

[–] just_an_average_joe@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 3 days ago (7 children)

Why so many people think being smart means getting phd's and good job/money?

Good job, phd's require discipline not smartness and often being attractive gets you better confidence/charisma, thats far far more important for getting good money or recognition than smartness

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[–] whaleross@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Would I be pretty and daft enough to not overthink and complicate everything and to finally be happy?

Ok then. Let me be a himbo. The ladies may take advantage.

[–] NineMileTower@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago

I am lucky enough to already be both, so I don't have to choose, thank you very much.

[–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I pick the grilled cheese sandwich.

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 9 points 3 days ago (5 children)

I am the most intelligent person I know. So naturally I would choose intelligence, because christ do I need perspective if that's what I actually believe

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[–] That_Devil_Girl@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's lonely being intelligent. Maybe I'm just in the wrong social circles.

I like to read books at my construction job when we're not busy. Yet none of my coworkers have read a book since early middle school, and they only skimmed it to half-ass a book report. I can't talk to them about anything except work.

I've never been beautiful my whole life. I'd give myself a 4 out of 10, a little less than average. I never really cared about my looks, I haven't worn makeup in ages.

I'd be interested in giving beauty a trial run, see if it suits me better than intelligence.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

There are definitely intelligent people in the trade jobs, but the overall mindset is completely different, and a certain lack of soft skills that get developed in other types of careers.

[–] Modern_medicine_isnt@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Beautiful. I've tried smart, it sucks.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 days ago

Yeah, told the genie I want to be smart. Motherfucker turned me into a car.

[–] gerryflap@feddit.nl 2 points 2 days ago

The latter. I guess that's kinda what I have already and I have no complaints. I'm aro/ace anyway so I don't really need the stunning looks for dating purposes. My relatively decent ability to learn new things never ceases to entertain me

[–] DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org 27 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The only people you fool are other stupid people though.

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[–] theywilleatthestars@lemmy.world 28 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Smart, being beautiful would just get attention from boring people

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

But if you're not smart then those would be your people.

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[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 13 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Ignorance is bliss, so I'll take beauty. I just want to be happy.

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[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

Being smart has only gotten me anxiety. I'll go with attractiveness.

[–] SpaceFox@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Smart... Looks good away but intelligence is forever.

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[–] folaht@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 days ago

Can I so intelligent as to quickly figure out how to CRISPR-Cas9 my looks or does tge wish prevent me from changing my appearance?

[–] UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 7 points 3 days ago

Appreciate the offer but no thanks.

[–] python@programming.dev 17 points 4 days ago (5 children)

I think being intelligent gets you better jobs and more money sooo 🀷

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I want the intelligence, but could I settle for my current level of attractiveness?

[–] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago

Smart because if I ever started getting into making videos for my fictional PΒ²EMG company, would needs the smarts to make a v-Tuber model of my fursona work, alongside some other tools I won't disclose.

[–] lemmyknow@lemmy.today 5 points 3 days ago (3 children)

What is the definition of 'beautiful', here? Do I get to decide, or is it up to the genie's interpretation?

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[–] rekabis@programming.dev 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I have always taken the metaphorical red pill when given a chance. I would rather live in pain and suffering knowing the truth, than living in ignorance and happiness.

And I don’t mind being ugly. I’m a misanthrope anyhow. Being ugly just means you are more likely to be left alone.

[–] Sam_Bass@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 7 points 3 days ago (5 children)

... I visit my therapist weekly to cope with my ongoing god complex?

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[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Intelligence, easier to figure out how to improve my attractiveness and deal with complex problems in general than trying to get smarter.

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[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I mean slightly below average is not bad attractiveness wise. Less hassel to some degree, especially if your a woman. below average intelligence though can really hamstring you. Intelligence all the way. Doesn't say gorgeous though or genius. sounds to me like I would basically be asking for the genie to do nothing based on my academic achievements and dating lack of achievements.

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