Need a raise? Nip and tuck.

There's a frightening article in the NYTimes business section that makes the argument that plastic surgery can help your career. "You get something done, you get the promotion." This may sound crazy, but it's backed by scientific and labor-market research. A paper published last year by researchers from Harvard and from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., concluded that there was a "sizable beauty premium" in the labor market. A 1994 study by the University of Texas and Michigan State University found that men and women "with above-average looks receive a pay premium," while "workers with below-average looks receive a pay penalty." So because ugly don't get you anywhere, I guess the only logical thing to do is get plastic surgery to make more money, to pay for your plastic surgery to make more money, to get more sur. . . yeah, that clearly makes sense. Thanks Amber.