by Zack Beauchamp
Daniel S. Hamermesh defended the idea in yesterday's NYT. Eric Crampton is skeptical. A.S. at Free Exchange continues Hamermesh's line of thought:
Sometimes … being physically attractive is necessary to the performance of a job, or at least very advantageous. That’s true of fashion models, and also for many sales jobs. Studies have shown people are more inclined to buy from attractive salesmen… The case for eliminating discrimination based on race or gender is clearer to me because these characteristics normally do not signal anything about ability. But everyone is born with varying natural endowments which determine their success in life. Policy aiming to compensate for these differences can edge onto a slippery slope.
The Dish had previously looked at Hamermesh's research here.
(Image of Ugly-Kid Gumo's street art.)
The Dish 