At last I am a Beautiful Person. Verified and confirmed by beautifulpeople.com.
/In 2013, I applied twice for acceptance to beautifulpeople.com, a social networking site designed specifically for attractive people. Access to beautifulpeople.com is granted only if the members of the network deem you attractive enough to be a member.
I was rejected both times. I cataloged my rejections in blog posts in both August and September of that year.
In August of this year, I applied to beautifulpeople.com again, using the same photo that I used in 2013.
This photo:
After three days of voting, I was accepted.
Yes. That's right, people.
I'm a beautiful person. It's been verified. Confirmed. Authenticated.
If I was a professional athlete, I would say that no one can take this away from me, except I'm not, and beautifulpeople.com has been know to kick people off the network for failing to maintain suitable levels of attractiveness.
Still, it's about damn time.
Now that I've snuck past the good looking gatekeepers and am on the inside, I've been exploring the network as much as possible. Here is what I can report:
- The operators of beautifulpeople.com really, really want me to upgrade to a premium membership for $12.49 per month. Many of the benefits of the network are hidden behind the paywall.
- I am now allowed to vote on prospective members. I have chosen not to do this, since I have vowed to never comment on the physical appearance of others, but it's tempting.
- I've received five emails from current members. I need to become a premium member in order to read them.
- I've received four "blinks" from members. I have no idea what this means.
- Elizabeth G. from Chicago and Khaleesss from Houston "like" me. Khaleesss also added me as a favorite.
- Three members are currently "checking me out." I can't see who they are without becoming a premium member. Nor do I really know what "checking me out" means.
- Based upon a sampling of the last 100 new members to the network, it appears that the female to male ratio is about 7:1.
- A surprising number of profile photos are taken inside a automobile. Exposed cleavage is also often used in profile photos. Bathing suits, hats, and selfies taken in front of a mirror are also popular.
- The network presets my account to only see female members in the network. In order to see men, I needed to change my settings.
- Beautifulpeople.com apparently sponsors events that I am now invited to. The next two events are in London and Australia. I don't think my wife will allow me to attend.
- Members are ranked, with lists of the most popular and highest ranked members available for browsing.
- My average photo score is a 3.0. I don't know what the actual scale is, though I suspect that it's at least a 5 point scale. Perhaps a 50 point scale.
As much as I'd like to gain access to the premium areas of the network, I probably won't be paying the $12.49 to do so. I can't envision myself spending money on this particular product, even in the pursuit of valuable information. As much as I love being authenticated as a beautiful person (and therefore having irrefutable proof of my beauty), I can't see any real benefits from being a member of the network.
I like my $12.49 too much.
Perhaps I'll start a Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds.