One of the local newspapers is running this Cute Kids Picture competition. Parents were asked to send a photo in of their “cute kid”. The entries are then all published in the paper with phone numbers so (presumably) readers of the newspaper can vote on who they think is the #1 “cute kid”.

But how on earth do you evaluate the cuteness of a baby? I’m saying this as someone who thinks they all look the same anyway. To me they are just blobs. 99% of them are admittedly cute blobs – in the same way most teeny tiny newborns are. Some people are able to see resemblances of parents in the features of the new blob. Parents just (naturally) see the most beautiful human being ever created – the rest of us play along and pretend they aren’t just blobs.

Back to the competition though. I just don’t understand the mentality of a parent putting their blob forward for this. The average reader of the newspaper isn’t going to bother their arse voting for any of these blobs. So who votes – the parents, the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. of the blob involved. If they happen to have a big family, they win the competition – simple as that. Nothing to do with the cuteness of the blob involved.

It’s a great way for the newspaper to make money though. Rought count – they have 1500 blob pictures to vote on. Let’s say each child gets an average of 50 votes (that’s a low estimate given that there will be multiple votes) – that’s €75,000 in phone charges. The newspaper doesn’t take all that money of course as the network operator takes the lions share. But still, that’s serious money for what is basically a vote for your own blob competition – slightly scammy if you ask me. Wouldn’t it be more honest to say “Hey parents, give us 50 quid and we’ll print a picture of your blob in the paper”?

And for the parents – how about just donating some money to a child’s charity in thanksgiving for the safe and healthy delivery of your baby instead of wasting it on phone votes.

Fools and their money….