# Would it bother you if avatars were allowed, but off by default? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 4, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045 "2010-10-04T20:20:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/181 "2010-10-06T19:01:47Z")
Avatars, post counts, friends list, nested quotes, image tags, this, that, the other thing. When SDMB initiates coding that electrocutes me every time I type the word “frenulum” or something, let me know. The rest is just wankery, if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/182 "2010-10-06T19:04:10Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > I don’t think sigs slow down load time, and most everyone has access to ad-blockers. This is about adding a process that, for some, will adversely affect load time if turned on. They don’t get to choose whether or not to use it. By necessity they almost _have_ to leave it off. > > It sounds like you’re trying to contrive a situation where this causes a problem for someone. > > I mean, really, someone is seriously going to be thinking: “Oh no, I have to leave off an option that’s turned off by default, because of my slow internet connection! Leaving it off means I won’t understand any comments w.r.t. avatars. This is for some reason worse than not being able to open the youtube links or whatever that people post up and discuss. I wish they’d never allowed anyone to use avatars…” Look, I’ve given my reasons, both personal and for the sake of others, as to why I prefer not to have avatars on this board. Those reasons do _not_ consist of “If I don’t want it, nobody should have it!” and/or “OMG!! This will ruin the board!”, despite the (over)reactions expressed in this and the other threads on this subject. I think I’ll step aside now and let others have their say on the matter, because according to the poll the voting isn’t as lopsided as these posts make them out to be. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/183 "2010-10-06T19:10:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Look, I’ve given my reasons, both personal and for the sake of others, as to why I prefer not to have avatars on this board. Czarcasm’s posts read in a way that is consistent with knowing what’s best for everyone else, and close proximity of sand to the lady parts. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/184 "2010-10-06T19:16:36Z")
Czarcasm, maybe you should try reading your own posts for comprehension. Because your reasoning is exactly because I don’t want it nobody should have it. And the poll shows that 157 posters either want avatars or don’t care about them and 78 posters are dicks. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/185 "2010-10-06T19:44:53Z")
If you only want to hear one answer, create a poll with only one answer. I offered my opinion in this thread under the mistaken impression that it was actually being solicited. Instead, I’ve blundered into an ersatz pep rally for avatars whose proponents apparently take them very, \*very \*seriously, sending some extremely long stares toward the few chumps (like me) not waving a pom-pom. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/186 "2010-10-06T19:49:46Z")
I don’t know, I liked the burned-out car thing better than the pep rally thing. Can we have some more rusted out engine blocks? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/187 "2010-10-06T19:57:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@RaftPeople](#): > > > > Here is a question for you (I doubt you will answer it, but it’s worth a try): > > If the avatars are off for you, how does that impact your desire for verbal discourse? > > You can see the logic in that question, right? As an outside observer, your position seems not only illogical, but it seems that you don’t see that it is illogical either. > > > > I have illogical opinions - but I’m aware of them. > > I view an avatar as the “face” of the person posting-the image that person wants associated with the name. Unfortunately, unlike a real face which has expressions that change when the conversation changes, an avatar stays the same no matter the mood of the poster or the topic of conversation. It is nice to see a small picture of a kitten when the topic is pets, but slightly jarring when the topic is waterboarding. Let’s walk through this (summarized content of statements): RaftPeople: If **turned off** , how does that impact **verbal** discourse? Czarcasm: Because **seeing the image** … It’s hard to tell if you didn’t read my question, or if you did read it but by the time you decided to respond you had forgotten that “turned off” was part of the scenario. I do sincerely appreciate the fact that you responded - but I am thoroughly confused at the complete lack of communication that just occurred. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/188 "2010-10-06T20:04:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Look, I’ve given my reasons, both personal and for the sake of others, as to why I prefer not to have avatars on this board. Those reasons do _not_ consist of “If I don’t want it, nobody should have it!” and/or “OMG!! This will ruin the board!”, despite the (over)reactions expressed in this and the other threads on this subject. I think I’ll step aside now and let others have their say on the matter, because according to the poll the voting isn’t as lopsided as these posts make them out to be. > [@Vinyl Turnip](#): > > If you only want to hear one answer, create a poll with only one answer. I offered my opinion in this thread under the mistaken impression that it was actually being solicited. Instead, I’ve blundered into an ersatz pep rally for avatars whose proponents apparently take them very, very seriously, sending some extremely long stares toward the few chumps (like me) not waving a pom-pom. Yep. “You guys are so hysterical I don’t need to address (or even acknowledge) your points”. If you just wanted to do a drive-by opinion piece, why didn’t you do that? Why is it a problem that other people actually want to have a discussion? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/189 "2010-10-06T20:07:53Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > If you only want to hear one answer, create a poll with only one answer. I offered my opinion in this thread under the mistaken impression that it was actually being solicited. Instead, I’ve blundered into an ersatz pep rally for avatars whose proponents apparently take them very, \*very \*seriously, sending some extremely long stares toward the few chumps (like me) not waving a pom-pom. It’s true that the poll was worded poorly. It probably should have just been the following question: Can anyone identify a mechanism that could cause the visual presentation of the SDMB on someone else’s computer to impact one’s own SDMB experience? For me personally I might have them turned on at times and I might have them turned off at other times - but when I have them turned off, I’m pretty damn sure I would not be impacted by the fact that some people may be seeing images on their computer. And the reason why is because I can’t see their computer. I also can’t tell if they post from a comfortable chair or not, or if the lighting is good or if their computer is slow. That information is not available to me unless I seek it out. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/190 "2010-10-06T20:20:23Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > > > If you only want to hear one answer, create a poll with only one answer. I offered my opinion in this thread under the mistaken impression that it was actually being solicited. Instead, I’ve blundered into an ersatz pep rally for avatars whose proponents apparently take them very, \*very \*seriously, sending some extremely long stares toward the few chumps (like me) not waving a pom-pom. > > It’s true that the poll was worded poorly. It probably should have just been the following question: > > Can anyone identify a mechanism that could cause the visual presentation of the SDMB on someone else’s computer to impact one’s own SDMB experience? You are absolutely slaying me here. This is a hilarious, accurate, hilariously accurate assessment of the question being posed. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/191 "2010-10-06T21:36:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m sorry that you have that opinion of those who prefer verbal discourse over visual stimulus when it comes to message board communication. Oh come on. :rolleyes: Avatars aren’t inline graphics. They have nothing to do with the discourse really. I don’t know why you think avatars and verbal discourse are mutually exclusive. All they do is make it easier to remember identities. If anything, signatures have more of an impact of wasting space and being potentially distracting, but they are allowed. If you **really** think identities somehow limit discourse (I think it makes discussion richer to be able to differentiate easily between the people you talk to over the long term) then you should propose that the SDMB get rid of all identifiers whatsoever, such that no posts are labeled with a name or even any ID of any kind. There will henceforth only be post numbers (for quoting and linking), and only mods will be able to see any poster IDs for the purpose of modding. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/192 "2010-10-06T21:57:58Z")
Ok. I’m going to take a stab at this as the devil’s advocate. Or let’s just keep it real and drop the euphemisms; the devil’s whore. I think the anti-avvies treasure what they consider a certain…mood of this board. Like a club. I know it is ‘cool’ to laugh at those that find the Dope smart or special or different than most of the net…but for some, I guess it feels that way. When I first found the Dope, I didn’t have any other group of people I could ‘be around’ that I thought were all concentrated in one place so witty and funny and smart and fun. Maybe I’m just a dork and sucker and a fool for feeling that way, but for me, the feeling was real. If folks still feel that way, then I can see how they kinda want to keep the environment as it is. They don’t want it to change, overall. They think that everyone else having avatars will change the atmosphere to the point where the wittiest and the funniest and the smartest are crowded out by the cat lovers and the cornballs and the childish, etc. They think the overall tone of the board will change. So it’s not about them seeing the avatars. It is about them feeling like they are in a certain kind of club when they may really be in a circus. I would say to the anti-avvies that they are mistaken. It’s not going to be a circus. The same snobs and intellectuals and assholes and curmudgeons will still be here, stubbornly refusing any forms of goofy fun or avatars or silliness. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/193 "2010-10-06T22:14:50Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > And the poll shows that 157 posters either want avatars or don’t care about them and 78 posters are dicks. Huh. Looks to me like 153 people don’t care anything about having avatars while 99 just gotta have their Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bomby visual stimulus. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/194 "2010-10-06T22:26:43Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > If folks still feel that way, then I can see how they kinda want to keep the environment as it is. They don’t want it to change, overall. They think that everyone else having avatars will change the atmosphere to the point where the wittiest and the funniest and the smartest are crowded out by the cat lovers and the cornballs and the childish, etc. They think the overall tone of the board will change. So it’s not about them seeing the avatars. It is about them feeling like they are in a certain kind of club when they may really be in a circus. While I think you’re likely right, I’m afraid your “whoring” just makes me wonder when Starving Artist will stop using his mind-control rays. ETA: Uh, not on you. You advocated worthily! ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/195 "2010-10-06T22:29:03Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Ok. I’m going to take a stab at this as the devil’s advocate. Or let’s just keep it real and drop the euphemisms; the devil’s whore. > > I think the anti-avvies treasure what they consider a certain…mood of this board. Like a club. > > I know it is ‘cool’ to laugh at those that find the Dope smart or special or different than most of the net…but for some, I guess it feels that way. > > … > > I would say to the anti-avvies that they are mistaken. It’s not going to be a circus. The same snobs and intellectuals and assholes and curmudgeons will still be here, stubbornly refusing any forms of goofy fun or avatars or silliness. I promise. Damn good summarising / advocation 🙂 Just to add, again, that one option for those that are concerned about a stampede of lolcats, is to not allow avatars to be uploaded. i.e. all you can do is choose a (tasteful) avatar e.g. like one of [these](http://s3.envato.com/files/87118.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/196 "2010-10-06T22:36:59Z")
\*\*Nzinga \*\*makes a decent point. I’ve allied myself squarely in the “Who Gives A Shit” camp, but I admit if you put it to me to make the decision, I’d say, lets keep it as it is. On the other hand, it’s not like I’d put up a stink if we had avatars … shit, I’d probably snag one myself. I liken it to the yearly referendum we have here in Maine to allow a casino to be built near the ski resorts. I always vote “no” just because a casino seems so un-Maine, but if it passes … I’ll still go play poker there. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/197 "2010-10-06T22:48:05Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Just to add, again, that one option for those that are concerned about a stampede of lolcats, is to not allow avatars to be uploaded. i.e. all you can do is choose a (tasteful) avatar e.g. like one of [these](http://s3.envato.com/files/87118.jpg) Ick. That would seem to fall square into the category of “compromise that leaves everyone unhappy”. People still can’t upload avatars, but the non-avatar crowd know that there are pictures on the site anyway… ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/198 "2010-10-06T23:58:06Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Just to add, again, that one option for those that are concerned about a stampede of lolcats, is to not allow avatars to be uploaded. i.e. all you can do is choose a (tasteful) avatar e.g. like one of [these](http://s3.envato.com/files/87118.jpg) That last one looks mildly pornographic - although it’s probably just me. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/199 "2010-10-06T23:59:40Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > > [@Mijin](#): > > > > Just to add, again, that one option for those that are concerned about a stampede of lolcats, is to not allow avatars to be uploaded. i.e. all you can do is choose a (tasteful) avatar e.g. like one of [these](http://s3.envato.com/files/87118.jpg) > > That last one looks mildly pornographic - although it’s probably just me. :eek: Well, it’s not just you NOW. Thanks a lot! ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045/200 "2010-10-07T00:01:08Z")
Ditto **js**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-avatars-were-allowed-but-off-by-default/556045.md?page=11)