Face of Betazed
The Face of Betazed Contest
Overview
The Face of Betazed Contest is an annual elite and exclusive modelling contest sponsored by a variety of society groups and advertising agencies on the planet Betazed. It runs like an old-fashioned 'beauty pageant' which you'd find on Earth in the twentieth and twenty first centuries.
Entrants are among the fashion elite of Betazed and winners are given many exclusive modelling and advertising contracts from worlds throughout the United Federation of Planets. Winners of the contest are also presented with latinum plated trophy.
The contest is run on the planet Betazed - and a large portion of entrants are mostly Betazoids - however entrants from other worlds are permitted if they meet the entry criteria.
Regan Wilde, a human, won the contest in 2390 while in his second year at Starfleet Academy, having modeled previously on Betazed in 2388.
Categories of Competition
Categories of competition include:
- Modelling
- Fashion
- Personality
- Swimwear
- Philanthropic Pursuits
- On Stage Questions
Diversity
Until the 2380's the contest was only open to Betazoids. The contest drew criticism from neighbouring Federation worlds which claimed the contest was discriminatory against non-Betazoids and aliens in general. The Select Committee ruled that entry may be granted to anyone who had a valid modelling contract with any major agency on Betazed, and since then there have been an influx of new species wishing to enter the contest.
Criticism
Critics of The Face of Betazed argue that such contests reinforce the idea that people should be valued primarily for their physical appearance, and that this puts tremendous pressure on them to conform to conventional beauty standards by spending time and latinum on fashion, cosmetics, hair styling, and even cosmetic surgery. They say that this pursuit of physical beauty even encourages some alter their lifestyles so completely that it causes harm. Betazoids have always been an open and cultural people, emboldened by their telepathic prowess, and have always placed a high regard on physical and personal excellence.
The Vulcan Logicians Network argues that rather than being empowering, competitions like this do the opposite: denying a persons full humanity by subjecting them to objectification, denying their full humanity by maintaining that their primary purpose is to be attractive. This is not logical.
Researchers suggest that these events strengthen skills, such as interpersonal communications, self-assurance, and public speaking, which prove to be useful in future career paths.
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