The 80/20 Effect

Do you remember having read this theory in economy? The 80/20 effect? Perhaps in school?

No?

You don’t?

Well let me take you down the memory lane.

The 80/20 effect is also referred to as the Pareto Principle.

The Pareto Principle was discovered by Vilfredo Federico Damaso Pareto.

Legend has it, that one day, he noticed that 20% of the pea plants in his garden generated 80% of the healthy pea pods. This observation caused him to think about uneven distribution. He thought about wealth and discovered that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by just 20% of the population. He investigated different industries and found that 80% of production typically came from just 20% of the companies. The generalization became:

80% of the results will come from just 20% of the actions.

This rule is also appreciated by the financial institutions who know that maximum profit of theirs is generated by 20% of their highest loan takers rather than the 80% of the rest.

Now, here is why I’m bringing all these up, as if this is a class taught in school.

I found the 80/20 effect or the Pareto principle recently, but it was used in a whole different perspective rather.

Recently, the Miss Nepal 2019 event took place and we have been blessed with the new reign this year, who I’m sure will make us all proud. But here is what dropped my jaw: one of the judges shared the Miss Nepal judging sheet. And correct me if I’m wrong, but this reminded me of the pareto principle in a whole new way. The sheet as depicted above, read: 80 marks for beauty, grace and features and a measly 20 marks for intellectual answer.

What?

Come again?

Is this how it has been happening all these years?

Yes, it’s a beauty pageant, but should the marks be not given for grace and intellectuality equally. I mean, if this is the way it is done, how do you think someone who has given a great answer can compete with someone who is simply naturally or rather experienced to carry herself on stage? Is this supposed to be like the Pareto principle? Is 20% of the action supposed to make up for the 80%? Or is this the other way around? Where beauty and grace is actually given more emphasis rather than intellectuality?

With all due respect, I highly appreciate Miss Nepal reign and the way they proudly represent our country. They have been giving justice to their titles; believe me, they have. But given that the title is supposed to represent “beauty with brains”, how do you think this judging sheet justifies it?