GOLDEN LIGHTS - Unless you don't read The Neopian Times, which you do since
you're reading this now, you most likely have noticed the two articles in the
past few weeks:
"Beauty Contest, My Foot" by oddhatter and
"Your Foot Ain't That Pretty", a response to oddhatter's
article by blu_dolph. This one? It's a response to both of them.
Both argue their points well--oddhatter says that the Neopian Beauty Contest
is completely based on popularity, blu_dolph goes the other way, saying it's
based on the quality of the pictures. Me? I'm caught up in the middle. I think
that it's a little bit of both, with some spice added in--I mean, life's never
black and white, right? Does that apply to the Beauty Contest, also?
Many pets seem to, as some say, get 'popular' through the Beauty Contest. Then
how do they get votes, if it's all based on popularity? But then again, there
are those more-than-common times that the winner--whether it be species or overall--is
that person published multiple times in The Neopian Times, got seven or eight
pictures into the art gallery, etc.
What bothers me the most is when one wins with a horrible picture. Of course,
that's not to say they didn't try their hardest. Before I got my paint program/my
tablet I couldn't draw a good picture if my life depended on it, and my scanner
didn't work that well. So I'm not blaming them--sometimes a bad picture shows
quite a bit of effort.
But effort shouldn't be what matters. It's a big part, yes, but with anything
in life and Neopets, it's the final product that counts--or should count--the
most. The pictures that should win should be the ones with elegant curves, precise
shading, and a convincing speech.
None of the 'pwease will u vot for meh? It's meh first tim and i am so kyoot!'
or the 'my owner spent 12 hours on this!' Most of the time, for the first speech,
it's not their first time. It may be a good picture, but it's probably filled
with those big, watery puppy eyes that seem to win all the time. The second
excuse? I usually like to stay away from this part of the Beauty Contest. These
people will do anything for a trophy- the picture stealers. Pictures stolen
and edited- or not edited- from the Neopian art greats often get a fair amount
of votes in the Beauty Contest. Those who say their owners spent a long time
on this picture, or say 'I can assure you this is completely hand drawn!' are
worried that they'll be caught and begin making excuses before they are accused.
I shouldn't even begin my rants about the chat boards. I admit, I used to spam
the other boards to get votes (it didn't work) and I'd post constantly on the
Beauty Contest boards. How many votes did I gain? Two or three. How about by
trading? Mmm, maybe 50 or so? But those votes, I realise now, didn't mean anything--some
people may have voted even before the picture loaded, they were just hungry
for their own vote you had pledged to them. I didn't feel proud when Po moved
up one spot on the list- those votes were not earned by quality of picture or
popularity.
The great pictures win sometimes, and sometimes the famous figures do. But
it was always like this--it's nothing new--and is like that in the real world,
too. It's something that Neopia will probably never be able to conquer unless
we all try together--and I can assure you that there are many out there who
thrive on the fact they win each week because of their popularity and would
never want to give up their pride.
Is there anyway to put a stop to this? No. Popularity plays a big part in Neopian
life and economy, and in a way it's good, but only if you look deep into the
mechanics. The Neopian greats who can draw with great talent sometimes don't
win, and sometimes do- it's a fact of life. Not everyone who deserves it ends
up on top. But do you always have to be first best? What's wrong with being
second in line?
I say we leave it be. I've entered my Aisha multiple times and she has never
won, but it doesn't matter to her or me--most of the times, those who deserve
those trophies win. Not always, but most of the time. They may be popular with
a great picture, most often when you look through past winners you see a fair
amount of decent pictures. I haven't seen a copy-paste winner in a while, and
that's the way it should be. Right now, the NBC is almost perfect- but there's
a certain amount of preciseness in life that shouldn't be tinkered with.
Some disagree. Why don't you tell
me about your experiences with the Beauty Contest? What have you endured?
We all have a struggle before we make it--easily earned success isn't the best
kind. | 
