Short Changed: Why do tall people make more money?
Friday July 4, 2003
I have the great pleasure of working at the same University as Steve Landsburg, author of The Armchair Economist and Fair Play. Dr. Landsburg's monthly columns on Slate under the title Everyday Economics are worth reading if you enjoy the economic way of thinking and like articles which challenge conventional wisdom. One of my favorite articles of his is titled "Short Changed: Why do tall people make more money?" which he published in March. The article asks the question "Do tall people succeed because of how others see them, or do tall people succeed because of how they see themselves? " Leave it to three economists at the University of Pennsylvania to find out.
There's a selfish reason why this is my favorite article: I'm a touch over 6'3". I greatly enjoy the idea that one day I might earn a high salary, though my height hasn't seemed to help me so far.
Comments
I was in charge of Student Government and Co ran school by 9th Grade and was the best student in over 2 counties during testing. Your point here? The taller people were the more awkward and quiet that I remember. I was a big time swimmer in childhood and had no time to over eat. I’m 5′0 and have a 150 I.Q. My brother has a 148 and he’s 5′8″ and my mother has a whopping 178! Wow and she’s only 5′2″!