# Avatars **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 28, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594 "2011-07-28T05:25:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 260
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/260 "2011-08-03T16:05:40Z")
Since we’re now prohibited from saying just about anything but a “yes” or "no " response in the poll Giraffe posted, my response to a post by **I Love Me** goes here. I doubt they’ll see it, but mod notices are mod notices. > [@Should we allow Avatars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-allow-avatars/591237/50): > > But it is the subtle, barely discernible effects that the avatars would add that is the real problem because these subtle nudges in the conversation would fly under most everyone’s radar, yet still change the tone and direction of a thread. **Once again, I want to know what those “barely discernible effects” might be.** Why wold those “barely discernible effects” necessary be bad? IMHO, whatever effects avatars might have on the course of a thread be would almost homeopathic in nature. Arguments like “avatars will change the tone of the board”, IMHO, are akin to saying that the tone of a conversation with a friend will change because they’re wearing boxers instead of briefs. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594)._