Beauty and Worth

I'm not exactly a looker, so perhaps it's from hatin' that I write the following.  I'd like to think that it comes from an objective observation, but . . . well, you know . . . if a lobster can be too beautiful to eat, then . . . well . . . perhaps there is something too this whole physical beauty thing.

But really, why is it that we value beauty in people?  I mean, on the one hand I can understand the whole attractiveness thing, but to go so far as to give awards for beauty?  Or to value people because of their beauty?  It's not like it's hard to be beautiful - it just happens.  Why do we feel we need to publicly recognize people for their beauty?  Why do my students think it's a viable career choice?  Why do people get paid for being beautiful?  How do they add value to this world by merely existing?

But, that's people for you, I guess.  We judge our self-worth by our physical attractiveness, and we judge others' worth by their physical attractiveness.  I'd like to think we can transcend that and judge people by what they offer to the world.