Die young, live fast: The evolution of an underclass - life - 22 July 2010 - New Scientist

An article about the relationship between reproduction/fertility rates and socio-economic status.

Die young, live fast: The evolution of an underclass - life - 22 July 2010 - New Scientist

From the article:

"Evolutionary theory predicts that if you are a mammal growing up in a harsh, unpredictable environment where you are susceptible to disease and might die young, then you should follow a "fast" reproductive strategy - grow up quickly, and have offspring early and close together so you can ensure leaving some viable progeny before you become ill or die. For a range of animal species there is evidence that this does happen. Now research suggests that humans are no exception."

The Beauty Advantage - A Newsweek feature

Newsweek magazine has a very interesting feature on its website about Beauty: A special report on why the quest to look good isn’t just a vain pursuit. From sexism to ageism to the perils of being too attractive, how beauty can affect your job, your career, your life.

My favorite feature is on the history of beauty enhancement. 

The report cites studies with employers and employees to confirm earlier findings that more attractive individuals get hired more, earn more, and are considered to be more confident. Beauty's effect, however, lose their edge with age as older women are more stigmatized in certain industries than men.

Despite our convictions that we should be judged on our own merits and worth, in reality, how people feel when they look at us, and the impression we convey, are more important than anything else. It's an unfair system, and it points to the difficulty in going against the cultural grain.