According to an article in today's LA Times, many bald men are getting hair transplants to compete in today's competitive job market. At least, that's the excuse for the expensive cosmetic procedure. From David Lazarus' article:

"Society discriminates against bald people," said Dr. William Rassman, who runs the New Hair Institute. "If you have two people coming in for a job, and one of them is partly bald, you'll think that the one with hair has more youth and vitality."

In response to my skeptical look, he added: "Many full-headed people have a hard time understanding the problems of balding people."

I heard that a lot in speaking with the two dozen or so guys at the open house, especially when I'd point out that a shiny scalp hadn't hurt the likes of Bruce Willis or Charles Barkley. Some of the men agreed to let me use their full names. Others wanted only their first names used.

"You can't understand," said David, a 39-year-old UPS driver, making me uncomfortable with the way he kept checking out the top of my head. "You have a full head of hair."

He said a more youthful appearance would definitely improve his chances if he had to start looking for work -- which he hopes won't happen any time soon, but you never know with the way things are.

"I wouldn't feel intimidated if I had to compete with someone younger," David said. "A full head of hair makes all the difference."

We have to respectfully disagree. We at FBLA like balding men- even prefer them. Hair loss is often a side effect of high testosterone levels. And those high testosterone levels have all sorts of other wonderful side effects-

Found via LA Observed, of all places.