Most research papers typeset using LaTeX use ugly fonts as well -- the computer modern fonts. In fact, when it comes to presenting equations, even major publications use these ugly CM fonts. They usually use Times Roman for the text itself. The mismatch is horrible.
There is a reason why there are people specializing in book design. And LaTeX specifically encourages ignoring presentation.
[But overall, I agree. Word documents tend to look even worse, unless formatted carefully]
Computer Modern is ugly? I guess there's no debating taste. I find very readable and quite good looking. It does tend to look much better on paper than on-screen though, because of the thin lines, and I agree that the pairing with Times is pretty bad.
There is a reason why there are people specializing in book design. And LaTeX specifically encourages ignoring presentation.
[But overall, I agree. Word documents tend to look even worse, unless formatted carefully]