Looking at an attractive woman swell's a man's ego.

May 22, 2002 5:53 PM

Looking at an attractive woman swell's a man's ego. Looking even at a picture of an attractive woman is enough to dramatically boost a man's estimation of his earning prospects, career success, generosity and dominance --and research has found that women find them attractive.
posted by semmi (17 comments total)

not to mention...
posted by quonsar at 7:14 PM on May 22, 2002

Traits such as ambition and dominance have been linked to higher levels of testosterone - and research has found that women find them attractive


*cries*
posted by jonmc at 7:32 PM on May 22, 2002

Except, of course, if you're a soldier in Afghanistan.
posted by Hankins at 7:36 PM on May 22, 2002

"But you could argue that women should be aware there might be some exaggeration in conversation with men who find them attractive."

Wow. The Department of Scientifically Demonstrating the Obvious strike again.
posted by josh at 8:01 PM on May 22, 2002

So, uh, does this mean pin-up calendars are good to have in the office?
posted by ilsa at 8:02 PM on May 22, 2002

In my personal experience, this is not true at all. Seeing a very attractive woman only reminds me of how impoverished and generally non-successful I am.
posted by bingo at 8:28 PM on May 22, 2002

I have to agree with Bingo. Pictures of attractive women just remind me of how many times I've been rejected by women, and the unhappy results of all those times I wasn't initially rejected by women, only to be rejected by them some months or years later for reasons that still completely escape me. ..Oh yeah, it has something to do with the fact I'm an asshole.

This allegedly scientific and unbiased experiment was obviously privately funded by Maxim magazine in hopes it would increase sales. I dismiss it as heretical and absurd.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:35 PM on May 22, 2002

bingo. I came in here to say approximately the same thing. What you allude to is the vicious, ineluctable cycle that I was going to add. You can't have one without the other, it seems. And when you do have one (or don't -- depending on how you look at it) you're forever doomed (or destined) to either have or not have the other.

Now that's an encouraging perspective!
posted by crasspastor at 8:39 PM on May 22, 2002

Well, for all you out there who don't like to look at attractive women, I'd be happy to sell access to some photos of me taken during a particularly festive camping trip.

The photos were taken near the end, I've got no makeup and about 3 hours of sleep in the past 36 hours. I'm in sweat clothes and making breakfast. Only $19.99 per month access! Look at an unattractive woman and feel your ego swell! And the background of the Rockies behind me look nice.

No matter how broke you are, I still love you guys. I've always found ambitious, moneyed men have suspect motives and bad karma.
posted by Salmonberry at 8:57 PM on May 22, 2002

it's the testosterone, stupid
posted by semmi at 9:37 PM on May 22, 2002

Looking at attractive women, or images of them, makes me feel better (maybe not about myself, but about the world...)
Bring in the cheerleaders for this post!
posted by StOne at 9:41 PM on May 22, 2002

I've always found ambitious, moneyed men have suspect motives and bad karma

Good call. We're talking sales executives and estate agents. Yuk.
posted by Summer at 2:38 AM on May 23, 2002

I saw on TV that if I buy the package of 6 Tae-Bo tapes I can have the body I want. I'm just wondering how in hell they're gonna convince Halle Berry that she rightfully belongs to me.
posted by nofundy at 4:54 AM on May 23, 2002

I'm not happy because I see attractive women daily (i don't), but because I try to be unaware of the world around me. My g/f hates that =)
posted by XiBe at 5:16 AM on May 23, 2002

Salmonberry, I would love to see a pic like that. . .really. . .that is my ideal of an attractive woman.

Now, can I sign up via paypal or do you have a secure server?
posted by Danf at 7:13 AM on May 23, 2002

Beauty makes me happy, feminine beauty makes me extra happy. Is it the testosterone, or some infantile pleasure complex? I don't mind either way - bring it on.
posted by fellorwaspushed at 8:08 AM on May 23, 2002

Beauty makes me happy, feminine beauty makes me extra happy. Is it the testosterone, or some infantile pleasure complex? I don't mind either way - bring it on.posted by fellorwaspushed

YEAH!!!
posted by semmi at 12:25 PM on May 23, 2002