>>81507787
What about the Habsburgs then? They were ugly af yet people did not dispute their rights to the HRE throne based on looks alone? Pretty privilege might have always existed, but it was probably 1/10th of its today's power prior to the invention of the TV. And the internet and social media was just the final nail in the coffin for ugly people.
>>81508279
But do you agree that visual media has increased the value of physical appearance tenfold compared to 200 years ago? Napoleon was considered ugly, short (compared to the elite) and balding, yet he rose up through the ranks quite quick. James Madison wouldn't have written no American constitution and became president, if he lived today, cause he was 5'2. Brutal
>>81508555
i mean you're not inherently wrong but these conversations weren't about political power, it's about the ability to attract a mate. hypergamy has always existed but nobody thinks it existed back then because it wasn't always apparent. nothing will convince me it doesn't go both ways.
that being said though, you're not wrong in saying that visual media has made it a million times worse.