DO Judge People by Their Looks

"Looks and money are so shallow."

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I've heard this complaint from countless people, usually followed by righteous indignation about society's priorities.

"Why does everyone judge us on appearance?"

"Why do people kiss up to the wealthy?"

Statements like this annoy the hell out of me.

Not because I'm some superficial monster who only cares about Instagram aesthetics and bank statements.

But because this entire line of thinking is an emotional cop-out that completely misses how human society actually functions.

When you encounter a widespread pattern that seems illogical on the surface, the right question isn't "Why is everyone so shallow?"

The right question is: "What purpose does this serve?"

Because here's the uncomfortable truth: patterns don't persist across cultures and centuries because they're useless.

They stick around because they served (or still serve) a function.

Maybe that function is outdated now, maybe it's become counterproductive, but dismissing it without pause is like ripping up every plant in a garden without knowing which ones are weeds and which ones are vegetables.

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So what purpose does valuing looks and money actually serve?

Picture this: You're at a business conference. Two speakers are giving identical advice about building a successful company.

Speaker A shuffles onto stage in wrinkled clothes that don't fit, looking like they haven't seen a shower in days, with the general vibe of someone who put their shirt on backwards and didn't notice.

Speaker B walks up in a well-tailored suit, clean-shaven (or with a deliberately styled beard), good posture, and an overall presentation that says "I have my act together."

Now, I want you to dig past your politically correct response and get honest with yourself: Who would you be more likely to take seriously?

But this isn't just about business conferences and building businesses. Let's make it more grounded:

You're at a coffee shop and someone strikes up a conversation. Person A is disheveled - not homeless, but clearly hasn't been taking care of themselves.

Stained shirt, unkempt hair, that slightly chaotic energy that suggests their life might be falling apart.

Person B is well-groomed, well-dressed, carries themselves with confidence, and seems to have their shit together.

You are deep in a conversation and both want to respond to something you said with some advice from their heart.

Be brutally honest: whose words would carry more weight with you?

If you're thinking "I'd judge them equally based on content alone," you're either lying to yourself or you're a statistical anomaly.

And before you get defensive, this isn't about being a terrible person, it's about being human.

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The truth is that appearance and wealth aren't just random shallow metrics.

They're incredibly sophisticated information systems.

They're signals that communicate a lot about a person's capabilities, habits, and circumstances.

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Good looks (and by this I mean basic fitness, grooming, and well-fitting fashion) typically indicate:

• Physical health and energy

• Healthy lifestyle habits

• Self-discipline around diet and exercise

• Enough disposable time and resources for self-care

• Basic needs being met (hard to focus on appearance when you're worried about rent)

• Social awareness and adaptability (knowing how to dress for different situations)

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Wealth (sustained wealth, not lottery winnings) usually indicates:

• Ability to create value for others

• Strategic thinking and planning skills

• Discipline and delayed gratification

• Understanding of market needs and human psychology

• Relationship-building abilities

• Executive and organizational skills

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I can already hear the objections: "But Joe, what about all those manipulative, greedy rich people?"

Fair question. Can you get wealthy by screwing people over? Absolutely.

Can you stay wealthy long-term in a reasonably free market by screwing people over? That's much harder.

Here's the thing that makes many people uncomfortable: in a functioning market economy, sustained wealth almost always comes from providing more value than you capture.

Yes, you can point to examples of exploitation and unfair advantages.

But as a general rule, money flows toward people who solve problems, meet needs, and create value.

I know this is going to trigger some people, and honestly? Bring on the angry comments. I'll die on this hill.

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Now, before someone jumps in with "But Joe, flaunting wealth is gross… what about those flashy cars and oversized watches?"

You're absolutely right. Flaunting wealth is icky, and here's why:

People who feel the need to flaunt their wealth are usually trying to cover up for not actually being wealthy. They're overcompensating.

Think about it. The guy driving the $150K car he can barely afford, maxing out credit cards to maintain an image?

That's not wealth… that's financial anxiety with a luxury car payment.

The woman dropping brand names every five minutes and making sure you see her designer bag?

She's probably leveraged to the hilt.

Humans are incredibly good at picking up these incongruencies.

Real wealth tends to be quieter, more confident. It doesn't need to scream for attention because it's secure in itself.

There's a big difference between looking put-together and desperately trying to look rich. One signals competence; the other signals insecurity.

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So is it wrong to judge books by their covers?

I don't think so. But - and this is crucial - first impressions should be held lightly.

I've met plenty of people who don't fit the conventional "success" mold but have incredible wisdom, character, and insights to offer.

I've also met attractive, wealthy people who are absolute nightmares to be around and who give shitty advice.

The cover is not the same as the content.

But ignoring the cover entirely because it's "shallow" means you're throwing away valuable information.

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The next time you catch yourself or someone else complaining about society's focus on looks and money, try reframing the thought.

Instead of getting indignant about human nature, ask what these signals are actually communicating.

You might find that what you thought was shallow judgment is actually a pretty sophisticated information-processing system that's been helping humans navigate social situations for thousands of years.

And maybe, just maybe, instead of complaining about the game, you'll decide to level up your own signals.

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Overly-edited shot of me looking good for attention.

Full disclosure - I'm well on my way to wealth, got a sustainable vehicle and all the character traits I need. I am not yet there. Not going to pretend to y'all.