[titanomachy]

Intuitively it seems that it should be possible. Physical fitness, confidence, kindness, empathy, social standing, even appearance: these things can all to a large extent be improved through effort.

Facial attractiveness seems extremely important to both genders, and is rather difficult and expensive to change. But certainly someone with a merely average face could achieve overall attractiveness by pumping enough points into the above areas.

[idDriven]

It seems like the study discussed skewed in terms of the dataset was sites that are picture-based primarily and thus generally perceived as geared towards hook-ups. This could also be interpreted that guys are more open to casual sex with whomever and women tend to be already compromising by agreeing to casual sex therefore looking for a higher threshold of attractiveness?

[belorn]

That doesn't answer if improving attractiveness increase the 20% to go beyond 20%, or if it just change who is in the 20%.

Ie, by improving physical fitness, confidence, kindness, empathy, social standing, and appearance, are you simply improving your relative status in the dating pool.

[oraphalous]

That's where my intuitions lean... that culturally men just aren't used to having to work on their attractiveness...

But you'd need long term cross-cultural data to confirm.