I agree, but I dont think collabs are a bad thing for growth entirely. If you cant work with others then you're pretty much, well, I dunno, but its not good. at the same time, joining collabs to get awards is pretty shameful, because ya, awards dont really represent much.
however, the trophies do lay down a pretty good chance of frontpagement, and for me I think views are more important that awards, because people see your work. so I agree that fishhook shouldnt have submitted it yesterday because it would get underviewed since everyone was watching awesome six.
good words though vincoid, spoken like a true newgrounds animator. :)