Feb 02 2008
Gravatars, Anonymity, and Life
I read a brief post by Maria Langer, a helicopter pilot and writer, titled, On Avatars, questioning, “Why can’t they look at least a little like the person they represent?”
I almost replied, “…because people want anonymity,” but decided to post on my reasoning instead.
I have avoided getting a Gravatar because I am torn 50/50 between using a simple black and white head shot and my seagull turning in mid air. The latter reflects both my love for soaring through life, making changes when needed, and the intensity with which I take things in (Its eyes are intense, almost eerie.). However, It may not say all of that to others. The former says, I am confident and may as well be recognized. (Well, I think it does.)
I have long since gone from anonymity, so that excuse has left - and that in itself was seriously one of the scariest things I have ever done; not because I am not confident in my words or the thoughts behind them or willing to hear dissenting opinions, but because there are still so many hateful or whacked out people out there. Why make it easier on them?
Add to that I am not a person who believes life needs to be lived without safety nets. I am not one that gets off a scary ride or out of a life threatening situation and says, “Wow, let’s do that again!” I get no thrill from it at all. Rather I hate that I put myself in that situation when I could have done something I find fun or relaxing or stimulating or joyful or whatever else, in other words, I feel I have wasted the hours I have in life as we know it doing something I don’t like. Why?
So, do I remove that one safety net, which is full of large holes since photos are on blogs and use my black and white head shot? Do I go with the old fashioned photo of me to since I want to publish a novel and children’s stories? Or do I use what feels more creative, my seagull whose eyes even creep me out at times?
I won’t ask you what I should do, it is a personal decision, but what do you do?
Now, where were Damien’s instructions so your Gravatar’s show up here without searching out a plugin? Ahh, here they are.
One response so far
Marcia, how’s it goin? You made my morning to see that you used my post on how to add Gravatars to your WordPress blog. I’m also glad to hear it was simple for you! I hope other people follow suit. For me, it is so much cooler adding a face to a name when i see comments from people. I haven’t see yours yet but I will go check out that post to see what you put up there. Catch ya later, I’ll be blogging all day … life is good.