Are you hot enough to be a coveted date for those who’re seeking love online? Well, one self-proclaimed 8.2 Jason Pellegrino says Internet dating services attract a lot of desperate people but they aren’t necessarily good looking. The solution? To start your own dating service and admit only people who’re above 8.0. Whatever that means. In other words, good looking. Very good looking.  You submit your photograph, and the online community votes whether to “admit” you into their “hot” clan or not.

Sorry, Jason Pellegrino, but you’re hardly an original. A few years ago I had the pleasure of renting a room from one particularly vain lady who one day appeared on Good Morning America…representing BeautifulPeople.net. For those who don’t have the time to waste on mediocrity, they can attempt to join Beautifulpeople.net. All they have to do is submit a photograph and then over a 72-hour-period, the members vote them in. Or, of course, not vote them in. One hefty fee later, and you’re one of the rare beautiful people. Diane Sawyer was puzzled to no end. But BeautifulPeople.net’s people relented and said they have a right to exclude anyone who’s not up to their standards. And they’re proud of it.

I went on both sites just to check them out. Of course I can’t “surf” the desirable singles because I have to be voted in first. But Beautifulpeople.net makes it absolutely no secret that this is a highly privileged site designed for good looking people only. Their goal is to narrow down the pool of dating applicants only to those who’re gorgeous enough to be admitted to say a Hampton’s Party, or New York fashion week, and thus, their website. Not surprisingly, half the pictures of the new members posted on the site showcased new members very scantily clad. And have I mentioned they were all white?

At first this all seems really funny. It’s partially funny because these sites take themselves so seriously. But somehow, reading about these websites made me reminisce about the days when Internet was truly anonymous. When you could be whomever you wanted without having to showcase your six pack to be admitted to yet another artificially created and somehow very coveted club. But all that said, maybe these people have a point. Good looking people want to be near good looking people. It makes them feel special and accepted. Maybe they have a hard time finding dates as well, which makes them not that different from those lonely fat desperate types they want to run away from. So, for today, let’s all hail vanity and its right to exist online and off. And for those of you who don’t have to surf to find love, bless your lucky stars for your hottie significant other.