smart don't make you cool

Or does it?

Not when almost everyone else is busy worshiping athletic prowess, ethereal looks and whatever is in the pop culture nowadays more than intellectual capability. More than heart, soul and wit.

Whatever happened to substance over form?

It is true though that physical attributes tend to be a lot more noticeable at first as compared to personality. But in time, if the person is funny, smart and motivated they tend to get more and more attractive and likable. The same way a very beautiful and hot person can become less fascinating when one finds out that they are lacking any good qualities other than being an eye candy. But technically they'd still be hot and pretty.

Back then, or maybe even now, during lucid intervals, I would have traded a few brain cells for some of that sex, drugs and rock 'n roll lifestyle of the good-looking-but-not-so-bright crowd. Well maybe I'd take two out of those three.

It is tempting to say that being smart is better than being pretty. But that is a ridiculous statement. It's like asking which is better between dancing and singing. Or if Mariah is better than Madonna. I so wanna say she is but I have to be fair. Damn objectivity. The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can coexist to form a potent, dangerous combo. Look up blessed, and lucky.

However, for the sake of an argument, let's say that those two traits are exclusive. You can only be either just beautiful, or just smart. Never beautiful and smart.

It has been said that life’s bitter battle is won not by the fastest or the strongest or the most dashing man, but sooner or later, it goes to the one who thinks that he can.

So smart people win, yes?

Beauty fades with time. And pretty is relative - it is defined by one's self, by the people around him or her and by the media. There are standards to conform to, if one wants to keep his or her pretty.

Smart, on the other hand, sticks around. Unless something really tragic happens to one's brain. Smart people think. Therefore, they adapt to the changes. And given enough time, smart can evolve into something beautiful (hello gym, spas and GQ/Vogue!).

In the end though, either quality can get a person far in life.

Think of it this way, if you want to be the next top model, being pretty equals fierce. However, if you want to be a doctor then smart will get you places.

But then again, most doctors are pretty too. What I said, lucky.

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POSTSCRIPT. I've been trying to write this for ages. Finally. And it was a portion of a short chat last night that triggered me to work on this piece; even if the original idea was lost as new concepts were introduced. But whatever.