Quote from: Ultimist on February 04, 2014, 10:17:34 PM

So many choices, yet very little variation in who seems to be garnering the greatest number of votes. I am completely confused as to how that happens. There are so many good entries. Could it be because those of us currently in the lead are listed on the first page of the Google document?

I'm not trying to be cute. Why are the votes stacking up in such a way? It's not following any sort of bell curve.

I have to ask everyone to look at all of the logos. There are more choices than just the top 3.

As the current leader (not bragging, this standing most likely will not last much longer) I would like to throw out a proposal to the current top 2 behind myself.

In my opinion, and I'm sure you both will agree, an absolutely *massive* number of great entries are being overlooked as we rise further and further above the others. I like both of your submissions. Mine is clearly the weakest of the 3, but I'm in the lead nonetheless, simply on the strength of my campaigning efforts alone.

So as the current leader, what I would like to propose is that we 3 sacrifice our voting leads to bring the next 5 entries below ours (in total votes) UP in the rankings, equal to our own... an 8-way tie... and then let the voting proceed from there. FlipPro could easily start a new poll to replace this one.

Just browsing over the past few pages it is clear to me that things have gotten out of hand, and we can stop it right now if you both will agree to do this with me. This is not really a fair contest to the other entrants. We 3 have been dominating this beyond all reason, and I think it is time for us to show some gratitude and sportsmanship.

This is a sincere offer. FlipPro, please feel free to disqualify me immediately, if I ask even once to renege on this deal we are about to make. I just feel that some outstanding work in this contest is going largely unnoticed, and I abhor injustice. I suppose we could just start ALL over but that wouldn't necessarily be fair to those of us who have managed to move ahead of the others. And no offense to those beautiful entries either... as I previously stated, the way the votes are falling is completely strange to me. Utterly inexplicable.

I will only agree to this, though, if both boxxl and barrysoetoro will also agree to it. So what do you say guys, shall we do the right thing and bring up the frontrunners from amongst our competitors, and give them a much fairer shot at winning this for their outstanding work?

Come on, friends, you know in your hearts you want to make this a fair shake for all involved.

And before the criticism and flaming of me starts, for this, I am not pretending to be better than anyone. I am not claiming to be more "sportsmanlike" than the others if they refuse my offer. I am doing this for one reason alone, and you can take this for what it is worth. I am doing this, truly, because I want the others' work to get noticed, and VOTED FOR.

It is simply ridiculous that out of hundreds of possibilities, us 3 have risen so far above the others. Both of your designs are excellent. Mine is mediocre but I worked my butt off to practically beg people on all my forums to vote for me. So I am NOT insinuating anything about your work, either.

But the truth of the matter is, and I am sure you will agree with me here as well, your 2 designs are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to brilliant, beautiful designs represented in this contest.

Will you both agree with me to even out the votes for the top 8, to give the others a fair shot?

Again, FlipPro, and anyone who reads this, feel free to insist on my disqualification if I even attempt to renege on this deal at any point. I am fully prepared to put my money where my mouth is.

But as I said, I will only agree to this if the other top 2 will agree to do it with me, in the interest of giving more people a fighting chance. My lead will not last much longer, and most likely, I will not be garnering many more votes because I have ceased and desisted from all campaigning. Further, I have asked those who already know of my entry in this contest NOT to vote for me, if they haven't already.

So, boxxl and barrysoetoro... can we do this? Please say Yes, for the triumph of fairness and goodness over their opposites.

(Now I will post this and take the heat for it, as I am certain that I will be accused of insincerity, having something up my sleeve, or worse.)

@Ultimist, I agree with what you're trying to do however I'm not sure your solution is going to fix the problem. For example, let says we cleared out all of the votes and started over..who's to say people won't start accusing others of cheating once voting resumes?