Highly relevant context was omitted which can be found here: http://alirachelpearl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/image1.... [1]
My point was't that the author is attractive or unattractive (that I agree would be out of line either way), but that the author has a corporeal manifestation that is relevant to the narrative.
The linked photo is from the author's professional bio, which is freely presented to the public and associated with the author's public writing (like this essay).