I don't do this usually but I think it doesn't hurt to voice my opinion once in a while. However, this is my personal option...really.

_{First of all, there is official definition of DDs as well as tons of information anyone could find out about dA which you can find in the FAQ. I kinda is an unwritten requirement to read it. When you submit stuff to the site, you are responsible to the rules. Where can you find it? Look at the bottom of the page and it is the third link on the last line. Also read the Terms of Service, Submission Policy, and everything else you could find if you haven't already. You're expected to know them. This isn't like photobucket where everything can be dumped in and there is barely anyone that double checks. If it was your very own site, you make the rules...or throw them out the window. If the site isn't yours...you must follow the rules or there goes your account.}

My idea is that a DD, in its most basic form, is a representation of SOME of the most wonderful pieces that the community has to offer for members and even non members alike chosen by all of us members in some way, shape, or form. It's also inspiration for many more DDs to come. It is also a source of enjoyment for the community as well. Yes, it is an honor to the receiver and a BIG thumbs up to the GDs and the suggester. However, it is not like either of them have a golden scepter after X amount of DDs suggested/awarded/featured. Also in its OWN light, each piece does have their charm...their mona lisa smile whether they get the DD or not.

Let's just take the DDs in the resource galleries for example. These DDs are here waiting to be used whether it is a stock or a tutorial...ultimately telling you...YOU TOO CAN MAKE A WONDERFUL CREATION JUST WITH A SOME EFFORT AND GUIDANCE. And even if a tutorial doesn't get the DD, I think they would still mean the same thing. I'm telling you, ANYONE CAN GET A DD. You don't have to be 'opular' in some way. (Actually, I personally have something to say about popularity in dA too but I'll get into that another time.)

There are people that flame when they think the DD hasn't reached the highest caliber of anything...terrible drawing skills, so ordinary, ugly, simple...oh, there are hundreds of reasons why someone may try to put down a DD... First of all, in its own official definition, "It is important to note that selections need not be of professional quality in order to be featured for the day." Guess what...beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and I think as long as there is one person...just one...there is something worth while in that image. Even if it there is a personal connection to it or anything other reason for that matter. And it doesn't have to be beauty. It can be a excellent representation of a concept or and idea.

I think extremely rude comments are:
It ain't worthy.
I don't like this./I hate it.
It's too ___ to be a DD./It's not good enough.
It's so easy.
It's ugly.
I don't get it.
It's not art.
What the hell are you guys [GM, not artist] thinking picking this DD?
This is so much better than the other DDs. (You're still dissing other DDs anyways.)
Destructive criticism...criticism that says what it is wrong (sometimes with an attack-like tone) and doesn't state a way to improve those problems.

I think =Thiefoworld's article on DDs here: [link] is pretty fair. And even you don't agree with some of her reasons, still, I think it is ridiculous 1) that some people thinks a DD can be taken away just because of personal opinion and 2) these attacks are often placed in the comments of the DD itself. THE ARTISTS THAT GETS THE DD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DECISION. If you do want to complain, go to $Moonbeam13 or the Gallery Moderators...you know...anyone in a ^ in their name that deals with the gallery in question.

In addition, I think it is kinda crazy that people be more laid back on the net. I think it is crazy to tear down anything or anyone, especially without a delete button. True, everything is matched with a username but then you gotta consider IP Addresses and anything with a lack of a proxy. (Some site you can't even view with one....) Once words are written in a comment box on many sites, it's there. It's not like spoken words where words will just flow out of your mouth and the only way to record those words is a tape recorder. I think there is never a true guarantee to written words online will never match to the person. (If you don't keep your facebook or your myspace as hidden, already that can affect your job hunting for instance. Viacom can figure out what you watch on youtube.)

I think some people uses the first amendment as an excuse to say anything and everything but if there is nothing good to say, don't say anything at all. I may like #3, #5, #19 and #27. You may like #9, #15, and #18. It's personal opinion...that's that. Where flame wars begin, that's where the conversation should end.

Lets take this DD for example:

I thought this is a pretty good DD myself. A couple of the things I have heard that this DD is too simple or too concrete. (Personally I like images that can be simple and/or concrete sometimes but at that point, you see that I have my opinion and you have yours and I think and argument wouldn't go anywhere. Also especially if two parties of an argument are firm...then it will NEVER go anywhere.)

At the surface, I hate blood. I cringe every time I see it...however, you will see that I have put it in my favorites. Why? Here is my train of thought. Okay, first thing I did think about was the fact of the blood but I loved the concept. However, I did also think how cool is the idea using blood for ink. But then, I thought about the case where the 13 years old girl committed suicide. This was because the mother of the girl (girl2) that wanted to get back at her (girl1) faked to be guy to lead up to become girl1's boyfriend only to dump her in the end. Girl1 became so depressed that she killed herself. If you want to read the article, it's here: [link] . Also I image also made me question the sense of manners in society. That is four things that sparked in my mind when I saw this image and I actually found that amazing to me. That was what made like really like this piece.

Okay, now lets go with this DD:

It's originally an accidental DD. It was just a test if dA is correctly and was removed at first. [link] However, I'm totally fine that it was eventually left as a DD.
1) Mr. Creepy is the classic game of trying to draw without your eyes. It is a 'meme' where one friend passes along to the next, to the next, and the next, and so on and for any meme, a lot of people can have fun due to passing it along to other friends that will pass it along to theirs. I think at least one meme deserves a DD. Laughter is contagious...as well as the joys of a meme.
2) Due to the mistake, this image is now a symbol of the dArama - that may people jumped on it and shoved their opinions - and now it questions what a DD is...and on the first of the year no less!

Okay, I will say it again... I truly recommend reading the FAQ, Submission Policy, and the Terms of Service until you know it by heart. Know people like $Moonbeam13 and the Gallery Moderators which the FAQ will also help you.

Comment, flame, whatever.... But as of now, that's all I have to say. I'll let you know if I have something else to say. Thank you for taking your time.