Lon Chaney, I shall try to address each of your points. My apologies if I overlook any. I still don't understand how getting your friends to vote for you is "stuffing the ballot". Since I don't understand that it is the same as "stuffing the ballot", I still don't understand how it is unfair. I also don't see that all parties don't have the same opportunities. Just because you don't know a whole lot of people online doesn't mean you didn't have the opportunity to know a lot of people. That's your choice, isn't it? I understand about the charges per minute, but if that's a concern, use an offline reader to play on Usenet. That's what I do. You prefer to work on images rather than chat. Again, that's your choice. You still have the opportunity to do what Legume does. I believe the majority of his internet buds are not from on line chat, but from alt.slack on Usenet (Legume will correct me if I am wrong about this, I'm sure), which can be read off-line. So, again, still your choice. No disadvantage. I never said that everyone having an opinion about him made Legume "the best of the best". In fact, I thought my Time Magazine comparison would make it clear that I didn't think AOY meant "best artist". Heck, I don't even think you can have a "best artist" -- far too subjective. My own opinion can change one day to the next, never mind a bunch of other people. Well, to be more clear: I don't believe that Artist of the Year means the "best of the best". I think it should go to the artist who has made the biggest impact during the year, and I think that artist is Legume. I don't see a problem with soliciting votes, so I don't think the point about whether he would have as many votes is relevant. Why are you certain that AOY is not a contest of personalities? Perhaps one of the problems is that AOY means different things to different people, and should be defined better. I think I've done a pretty good job at defining what I think AOY means, but let me know if I have been unclear. Finally, you are correct; I am indeed just speculating on the figures of people who joined because of Legume. I only know for sure about six or so. But that handful is more than I ever brought in, which is Zero. Anyway, it was a small point, and if you prefer to ignore it that's OK by me. I will mention that I, personally, take part in the site a little more because of Legume (and I am not one of his internet buds, in case you wondered; technically I partake in a rival religion). Seems like the only time I ever post in a non-Carrara or Modelling forum is when something concerning Legume happens. Gosh, I hope he doesn't think I'm stalking him. It would spoil the surprise.