So despite picking up an award, there are quite a lot of gripes to be had with the Second Life Resident Choice Awards. In the aftermath of the SL Awards, was it really all we thought it’d be?
Hmmm.. first off, were the categories. I think most people found them to be pretty, well, odd. I found them so odd, I just didn’t bother blogging about it – they were just random. I mean, favourite prim food? Linden Bear Museum? Really?
I’m not saying that they might not matter to some people, but they really did strike me as though someone hadn’t quite thought the whole thing out properly. Fashion, which is Second Life’s biggest industry, was covered on a single gong. I’m not saying it should’ve followed the SL magazine routes and detailed an award for every little sector of the industry, but that was a tad broad.
Prokofy called for a one award per avatar/sim/organisation limit, but I’m not sure that’s a fair limitation for residents who excel in several fields. Instead, more common sense in handling the awards would have been wiser – a two tier voting system: first for nominees and then for the winners would have made sense. That way, people have the chance to explore unfamiliar territories before voting.
And then we come to the results themselves.
Dance Island and Vickie Greenwood appear to be the big winners, except Dance Island doesn’t have live music, and nobody seems to have seen anything made by Ms. Greenwood.
What the heck?
I was expecting the builder award to go to somebody much higher profile, who has created a beautiful sim. I was amazed that the best Sculpty Artist didn’t end up going to Light Waves. How does a venue that has no live music end up with the award for Live music? Why does an obscure builder not shout to the world what she has to offer after being drawn into the spotlight in 3 awards?
Something here doesn’t quite add up at all, and I’m guessing the voting wasn’t exactly done to an ethical standard.
A lot of great people/organisations did get credited however – in particular I’m happy to see New Citizens Inc get recognition. Dane Zander’s Apollo is certainly a sim which many an avatar has enjoyed, and Zooby’s revolutionised pets in SL.
But then, with any SL Awards, there will always be people who agree and those who disagree, and such is life. It would be pretty boring if we all agreed all the time. But I do think most will agree that the categories and voting method will need to be rethought out if LL continue this to next year. Nevertheless, congratulations to the winners.
On a final note, I want to reflect whether the awards have a place with us at all – although it was nice to be acknowledged in them, there were many who weren’t acknowledged at all. Such awards should reflect merited excellence, rather than being a popularity contest.. I’d be in favour of seeing the whole thing overhauled to represent the best of Second Life, and not just whoever can pick up most votes.
Bailey Longcloth on April 19, 2009
Well said Prad. As always you point out the good and the bad and ask us to think. Awards are always part popularity, there is no way around it. That being said, I think these could have been done better. Maybe next year we’ll see the public have the chance to nominate and then go see these residents work.
Connie Arida on April 19, 2009
As you said, not just for those that can pick up the most votes. I find voting invariably leads to rigging, begging and how many mates you can call up in the time alotted. Many creatives just get on with the creating and don’t bother with promotion. It’s up to us, the citizens, to use our brains and search for these people and leave the winners lists in the dustbin of SL history.
Dale Innis on April 19, 2009
The place that won the Live Music award has no live music?? Rofls!
Samantha Poindexter on April 19, 2009
The place that won the live music award doesn’t have only live music. This is not the same as having no live music.
Frankly, the sour grapes on the part of the live music people suggests an answer to their recent griping about why attendance to their events has gone down; I wouldn’t want to spend much time around people who’d act like that.
(I voted for one of Circe’s places, myself. Having seen her response to the results, I can safely say I won’t be going back. Second Life’s too short.)
Ryker Beck on April 20, 2009
There were resident choice awards??? o.O