Consider "The American Idol." There are people who enter that competition who are CERTAIN they will be the next American Idol. Yet, when they open their mouths, they sing through twelve different keys and can't hold a note to save their lives. In their own eyes, and in the eyes of their family members, they are FANTASTIC! And they genuinely think they will at least get in the top ten.

By comparison, Renderosity is host to a community of people that is largely made of amateurs and hobbiests. The majority of the art reflects that level of skill, because most in the community are still learning. Each piece they do is the BEST that they can do, but it may not be good enough yet for publication ... because they are still learning.

But, to that end, you'll have a lot of submissions from amateurs and hobbiests who truly believe that their latest picture is absolutely awesome, and who truly believe that they have a shot at getting in. What are the chances that their art will be accepted?

Odds are that Renderosity would select the best examples of art created by this community. But truth be told, the level of art that will get selected for this book would probably have an equal chance at getting selected in other similar books as well. As a result, the art won't really be a fair representation of those who are proud and active members of this community.

The sad part about this whole thing is, that Renderosity only seems interested in doing things for the community when there is profit involved. That's understandable, because it is now more a business than it is a community. But to pass it off as a "chance to get noticed by all kinds of advertising agencies" and charging amateurs and hobbiests for this chance is not really cool.

Message edited on: 02/05/2005 11:00