Friday, January 25, 2008

Can you handle the truth?


The Explanation:
On Facebook, there exists an application that provides hours of entertainment for cripples and non-cripples alike. Called Compare People, that's just about what you do. An algorithm spits up two of your friends and you choose which one better fits the question asked. The combinations of people and questions is sometimes ironic, hilarious, or snore-bore. It's all totally random.


The Setup:
None of the questions the program asks are negative in connotation--no "Who could stand to shower more often?" or "Who would you vote off the universe?" exist. I don't think it's a stretch however, for the mortal, logical mind to view a "loss" (even to a somewhat deserving opponent) as actually a backward way of saying "Oh, so and so isn't that thing." In the photo example above, say I choose to live with Mallory (sorry Mich, blood is thicker than water!). It's not that I don't want to live with Michele, it's just that I choose Mal as the better option. It's nothing personal against Michele; I just choose the slightly better option.


The Kick(er) in the Pants:
This in turn makes checking your own stats nine parts fun, one part disconcerting. Here's the nine parts fun--in the times my photo has come up for review, I've "won" 100% of the votes for: more creative, artistic, popular, would I rather take shopping, loyal, a better laugh, more adventurous, prettier, more cuddly, a better body, more useful, better singer, more likely to win in a fight, crazier, more reliable, nicer, more talkative. Pretty awesome, right? Who wouldn't want to be all those things eh? Based on the 100 percenters, I'm a rockstar.

So there I am, reading through my glowing list of wins. There are some 66% (more tech-savvy, better friend, better public speaker) and 50% (better dancer, more powerful, famous, confident, entertaining) wins here and there and I'm still hanging in there, riding the glow of my 100%s.

Then, scanning the list, I find my first goose egg. Would make a better mother. Ha! I really did laugh outloud. My f-book friends unanimously voted me 0% less likely to be a better mother. Totally random and strange. Want to hear my other zero percents? Drum roll puh-leeeeeeeze: rather date, sexier, more attractive, prettier eyes, rather have dinner with, smells nicer, a better smile, more likely to succeed, better listener, more outgoing, more naturally talented, cooler, funnier, more trustworthy, better at science. Phew! Uhhhh... it makes me nervous that a good chunk of the things on my 0% list are physical traits.

Ironic, because before now, I would have considered myself as someone who looks good on paper--educated, good job, socially-ept, full head of hair... but now I'm not so sure. Phew! Remember what I said about that one part disconcerting!?

ALright friends, I'm off to review a science book I just bought on Amazon. Gotta rack up some votes somewhere; that seems like the easiest place to start.

7 comments:

Alaina said...

Oh this is hilarious! I am still facebook dumb, didn't know this exists... hmmm. Sounds like lots of fun!

I think you'll make a GREAT mother. We should live near each other so you can handle the fun things and I'll handle the boring ones. Tag team mothering... hmmm, maybe we've got something goin there?

ju said...

who would you rather go take a transatlantic trip with...me or me? too bad, you have to go with me.

and who likes kids anyway?

stephanielynn said...

My self-esteem can't handle that type of comparison. It's safe to say I won't be adding that application.

Lady Bills said...

well you're 100% in my book! so is your family!

kendall said...

Well at least you have so many good 100%'s! I have like...two. And they're boring.

Rachel Eve said...

Haha, I would get the compare people application, except I'm scared to find out what people would vote me 0 on. You're brave. AND you do have LOTS of good 100 percenters!

Mallory Jan said...

I too am facebook dumb, I share your pain Alaina...

Definitely, maybe, probaby related posts:

If NatA! posted a photo with this blog, here it is!