Over the past few days, I have seen the ugly side of this hobby. My e-mail inbox is stuffed with many different requests to vote for so and so's blog because they have been honored by a nomination in the Upper Deck Awards.What exactly does this mean to everyone? Is an award by a card company that important to the winner? Will fame and fortune be yours for the taking? Does anyone honestly think that everyone who voted for the winners will all be getting fantastic prizes? I don't believe that. There is not enough in the prize package to make it worthwhile.
That's not really the point though. In the United States, it's illegal to stand outside the poll places and try to influence an individual's vote with shiny trinkets. Not that anyone who e-mailed me influenced my vote. By the time I had gotten my first of many e-mails trying to bribe me into voting their way, I had already voted.
I'm not going to reveal who I voted for, but I was disappointed with some of the finalists. I was also pleasantly surprised by a few, so it did balance out. If someone really wants to know who I voted for, hack into the contest system and pick out my address. I have no doubt it can be done, but I have no idea why anyone would go to all that trouble.
In the end, is anyone really going to be impressed with an award or an affiliation? Only the most casual reader will base their opinion on those types of associations. Content should be the main criteria for voting. Most importantly, do you enjoy going to the sites you are voting for? I would imagine that those thoughts would trump any bribe. Some of us still have integrity. Those who are trying to buy votes have no scruples, in my opinion.
I should mention that I have also received a few e-mails of blogs stating their case why you should vote for them. I have absolutely no problem with that. There is no bribing, only someone informing why you should vote for them. That's where the line should be drawn.
6 comments:
Thanks for addressing this. I'm going to freak out if I see one more phony comment on a card blog that starts off:
"Great post! Hey, you should check out my blog that is nominated for..."
Yeah, I got a little carried away but was excited on what happened, I've never been honored like this in the blogosphere before ya know?
Drew, there's a difference between getting really excited about the honor (like you) and outright trying to buy votes (like many others).
Don't sweat it. :)
People are just drooling over the fact of getting free stuff. And you are right, there isn't a snowball's chance in Hades of anyone seeing some of these supposed "reader prizes". Heck, a few of these blogs and forums don't even exist anymore. I'm not jealous, just questioning motivation.
I could not agree more.The other thing I personally don't like, is a contest that you get entered in by starting to watch a blog.
Great post Steve! Its sad that it turned into that because there are a few really good blogs there that deserve the accolade, but...
To address Baseball Dad's comment. I respect how you feel, but the idea behind requiring someone to follow a blog to win a prize is
A) the prize goes to a reader, not a contest sniper. B) Some people (like me) want more readers. The more people who follow you and add you to their blogrolls, the more potential readers you have. I like to put a lot of time into my blog and I like the idea that alot of people know when a new post is up. Sorry to take up all this space WSC, just feeling defensive... Very good point you made, though. I really like the graphic, too!
ps, to Drew: you have a great blog and you deserve the honor, congrats! BUT you did win an award for your blog just a few months ago, remember?
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