The Importance of Having a Profile Photo
The Importance of Having a Profile Photo
This subject has been on my mind for a while now, but has become more important to me personally in light of my recent public admission.
The Internet is a wonderful tool for knowledge and information, but it often falls flat as a tool for wisdom and personal growth. Why is that? Let's explore a couple of possibilities.
The first and most obvious reason is Internet anonymity. With the widespread use of this medium, people no longer have to face the person or interact in realtime. Now, people have the ability to hide behind the Ethermask and say anything they want without fear of instant feedback. Without that accountability for their actions, at least in the physical realm, people have stopped measuring their words. If the writers of much of what is said were to say those words to someone in realtime, they'd be slapped, punched, kicked, stabbed, or shot, if they were lucky. If not, there would be new cases on the docket at the local courthouse.
I'm not saying the Internet breeds cowardice. I'm saying that it removes the instant feedback of accountability from the equation.
The second and maybe less obvious reason is the self-imposed anonymity of the Internet. On writing sites, as well as other membership sites, some people will complete the profile and add a personal photograph. Others deliberately do not complete the profile and make what I consider to be a mistake in not adding a profile photo.
What makes the profile photo important? If I am interacting with you on the Internet and I've never met you before, then I don't really know your personality or that you are really another living, breathing human being on the other end of the Internet connection. Without that knowledge and reminder, I can assign--often erroneously--personality and character traits to you that may color my responses to you.
Some people choose to hide behind the Ethermask for better or worse (and I respect that each individual has his or her own reasons), but for those seeking to connect to other writers and their readers, having a profile photo is one of the best if not the very best way to do it.
If you pick up most any book written for public consumption, you will see an author photo and short blurb about them. Your profile is a chance to reach out to your readers and establish yourself in their minds.
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Anonymity
I've seen this concern before but I don't really consider it in the same vain that you do. I think back to the days of pen-names and their various uses and reasons for. Mark Twain, Robert Bachman, wHATUP just to name a few. You can create a character from this fake persona, someone outside yourself who reacts differently than you, who says things you would never say. It can free inhibitions(?), it can free you as a writer. You can play devil's advocate without saying so. There are many things that I have written that if I used my real name and face I probably would not have. And I think that is good. Plus I like changing my avatar to suit my mood.
Different reasons for different seasons?
Haha just made that up! Well jdubhub I don't know, some like to not share their pics and some do :) I respect everyone's dcision but ... I have offered over and over again to build anyone and everyone here an avatar. Whatever they want, in case they do not choose to put a pic up.
"instant feedback" is another issue, I have set up a chatroom on two different servers for all Xombies, anyone and everyone is welcome ANYTIME :) no hassles, come and go as you wish .... anyway ... here are some of my pics, I like my astronomoy avatar and will prolly keep it :) but if people want to know what I look like here we go !!!
This is me :) LadyKenai
Working in my brothers garage in Alaska - please visit http://woodgoodsofalaska.com
Joshua, Bill (brother), Jeremy, Justin and me LadyKenai (Jeri)
Me again!!!! At front desk at hotel in Anchorage (work)
my snowmachine in Kotzebue Alaska :) in the 80's !
me and oldest son Justin - Kotzebue Alaska 1983 (i made our parka's by hand)
My army pic! ugh... the 80's again ... lol
back to the future with my hockey t-shirt bro and his wife :) at the Peanut Farm, Anchorage Alaska
I have whole photobucket album with all my photos that I have been able to upload so far in my life. If you got a few hours .... lol
I like my astronomy avatar :) and like I have said before here at Xomba .... anyone who wants one can email me
and I will be more than happy to try and satisify your avatar need :)
If you would like to chat about Xomba or anything you want, join here:
http://home.wanadoo.nl/mqs/ladykenai/chat.html
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Thank you for your comment, wHATUP...
I fully understand the idea of the nom d'plume, but my concern is that people are taking advantage--whether that is the intent or not--of that anonymity to behave somewhat less civil than were that interaction to take place face-to-face. I've done it--made assumptions about the other person--without intending to, mostly because I, like other writers, have a fertile imagination and can very easily fall into the trap of assigning characteristics when they are not true.
I respect your choice either way.
DO YOU HAVE THE WRITE STUFF?
Thank you for the photos, LadyKenai!
I am a big fan of Alaska and the mystery that surrounds its less populated areas (but, I repeat myself). My mother-in-law and some of my wife's family is flying up later this week to watch the Aurora Borealis and relax. Someday, when my son is older (almost 4 now), I am going to go up with my family to see it.
I will have to look into the chat room, which probably means evenings after my wife and son have gone to sleep.
DO YOU HAVE THE WRITE STUFF?
fan of Alaska / photos
*lol* your welcome ... aww I don't mind repeaters ... once we hit a certain age, it IS allowed!
I may have gone overboard w/ pics ... but that is me all over again!
Wow! So your family must be headed somewhere in the Fairbanks area then :) Aurora is great from that far north :)
It is a very awesome sight to see! Well I will send my "farther north little angels" with your family on thier journeys :) I wish them a great time :)
hugs to the little guy!
If you would like to chat about Xomba or anything you want, join here:
http://home.wanadoo.nl/mqs/ladykenai/chat.html