Pretty privilege

New research published in Scientific Reports confirms what many have always suspected - “Beauty is more strongly associated with competence, trust and confidence, while ugliness is linked to incompetence, mistrust and doubt.”

Another study of 37,000 workers found that good looks are linked to higher pay, unless you’re smart, in which case it has no impact.

It therefore appears the key to success is to be very pretty and not particularly smart. 

Which brings us to Sydney.

A new report from the Committee for Sydney reveals global perceptions of the city overindex on beauty and attraction to visitors, but fall short on culture, business, and innovation. 

Basically, nice to look at, fun to spend a few nights with, but lacking the depth to lead to much else. The Tinder date of global cities.

Sydney’s pretty privilege is playing out exactly as you’d imagine. Last year, visitors spent $53 billion, a new record. However, perceptions around business and innovation are limiting investment opportunities.

There’s clearly work to be done on Sydney’s brand. But not too much. After all, it’s scientifically proven you can be too smart. Better to simply flutter those Harbour Bridge eyelashes and bite that Bondi to Coogee lip.