From the Guardian:
It was meant to be a dating website exclusively for the use of "beautiful men and women", where members ruthlessly selected and excluded those who did not match their definitions of good looks.
But last month when BeautifulPeople.com was attacked by a computer virus, some claim standards slipped and around 30,000 new members gained admittance. Now, in a move which has made those rejected "apoplectic" with rage, they have been unceremoniously booted off at a financial cost of more than $100,000 (£62,000) to the site's operators.
The virus was quickly named Shrek – after the animated film about how looks should not matter – as it attacked the software used to screen potential members. A helpline has now been set up with counsellors on hand to help the distressed rejects from the site.
The website is more honest about the ruthlessness of standards of beauty that apply in everyday life, but to see the policy spelled out in plain language is shocking.
"We got suspicious when tens of thousands of new members were accepted over a six-week period, many of whom were no oil painting," Hodge told the Guardian.
A good many of us are no oil paintings. But then again, figures in oil paintings, including some of the most famous paintings in the world, such as the Mona Lisa, may well portray people who would not be considered sufficiently beautiful for the website. As I read the article, I started off laughing, but then I became quite sad that we place such emphasis on outward appearance in our relationships.
According to the website, Norwegian women and Swedish men have the greatest chance of being accepted. British men have the least chance, and Irish men are not far behind.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’
Thanks to Cathy for the link.
