BeautifulPeople.Com

The internet sure is a portal with varied appeal. But I read a news story that shows how it can be an exclusionary place too. BeautifulPeople.com., a social dating/meeting site announced that it has closed the accounts of about 5000 members of the site following complaints that "they had gained too much weight". Those members were singled out after posting pictures of themselves that reportedly showed they had put on pounds over the holiday period.

Well, fat or skinny, I would never be good looking enough to make it to membership there. However....out of curiosity, I had to see what that site was about. After typing in the web address and seeing the home page I could tell right away. Posted right there on Beautiful.com was this "warning".

'TOO UGLY TO SIGN UP!Click here to browse BeautifulPeople as guest'

Haha They must have known I was coming and left that message for me. It also listed the benefits for a beauty joining, gave a "quick step" registration form that didn't ask about looks (though that was said to come later) and...at that point I stopped looking at the site. According to the web site here's why Beautiful People is supposed to be an alluringly attractive site.

Do looks matter to you, when it comes to selecting a partner?
Do you want to guarantee your dates will always be beautiful?
No more filtering through unattractive people on mainstream sites
Meet beautiful people locally and from around the world - now
Attend exclusive events and private parties

It seems rather shallow, even for a dating site. They did show photos of members when I looked at the home page and they all looked young and attractive, if many tended to show off their bodies in an almost exhibitionist style. There is a quote allegedly from cnn there also that declares Beautiful People, 'The sexist web site in the world'.

I think such sites are a good thing for those interested in that kind of clubism. In the off-line world it would be shut down by political correctness. That it exists on line is a healthy sign I think It may be silly, but at least its allowed.