http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12991450#post12991450
There are two threads going right now about the use of Avatars here, one in ATMB and the other in IMHO. Why am I starting a third? Well, lets be honest, its just that my real opinion doesnt quite match with those two forums.
You see, people are looking for reasons why we should or shouldnt allow avatars on this site. I dont think we should, for one very simple reason.
I think you need to be a shallow, dumb, childish, insecure, empty little moron to actually want an avatar.
What is the attraction? You really want to have a silly little picture beside every post? You think thats cool? Well here is something you may not know. You see all those silly little pictures, all those oh-so-cool avatars? Nobody cares about them. Its like facebook status messages, we like our own, we never look at anybody elses. You might think that some obscure anime logo is the coolest thing since the original mentos, and that it needs to be shared with the world. Sorry poppet, the world doesnt care.
But lets assume something, lets assume the world does care. Lets assume there are people out there that will suck your cock internet stylee every time you put up your latest rad avatar. Well what exactly does that say about you?
Are you so devoid of worth that this is what you strive for? Have you so little to say that this is how you have to express yourself?
I have a mental image of a pasty doper fapping out dozens of “me-too” posts, with nothing to contribute yet still yearning desperately that something will stick and a fellow avatard will post the magic words “nice avatar dude”. Said pastynerd will lean back and bask in his internet glory, before masterbating furiously in case the adrenalin boost gives him hives. I didnt say it was a nice mental image.
Seriously. I laugh sometimes when people put forward the whole “smartest board on the internet thing” (Hint: You aint). But at least its generally accurate to say its a little more mature than the average message board. A big selling point for many. So why oh why oh why would anybody want to revert to something as childish as avatars. Good god people have you so little to actually SAY that you need the crutch of some stupid cartoon head to define your personality? Some kitty picture, is that how you want others to recognise you by?. Have you no self-confidence that they will remember you anyway? Christ on a floor mounted dildo what is wrong with you?
And to those saying that they would like avatars because they struggle to remember names, I say this, why is that a bad thing? You dont think it might be better to focus on what is being said rather than who is saying it?
And to be blunt, if your memory is that bad anyway you are either dumb as an empty can of shaving foam, or older than you realised. Avatars aint helping you much either way.
This is no big deal to me. If they are ever allowed, I will just block them and I doubt my viewing experience will change much. And to be honest, it is only the sneering condescension in the other threads that prompted this pit thread. There are too many wankers there playing the internet version of “roll the eyes, wring the hands, and plead with the commoners to see reason”.
I am well aware that many will disagree with this opinion, I have no illusions on that score. I even realise that it is only my opinion, and very possibly wrong in every way, shape or form.
But I am right about Avatars. They are fucking stupid, and you need to be a cretin to even waste the time creating one.
Hey, maybe they do serve a purpose! They show us who the retards are. Interesting…
