To each his own...I guess.

Now you mention it, I always looked up to the bear in Jungle Book...

As is mine (just taken when they were in their cross-dressing phase)

Since you ask the question......

Why a bear and not a pic of you ?

It's like a masquerade ball. We aren't hiding but rather creating the space for different sorts of conversations. We don't put up pictures of ourselves to 1) feel free to have honest conversations independent of our real-world identities, 2) don't identify ourselves for axe murderers.

I chose a marmot because they are possibly the world's cutest animals and also native to the Swiss Alps (among other places). They are pretty adorable but can get aggressive if cornered....sort of like me

Because of anonymity of course, and I thought a bear was neutral, not offensive etc.

I guess people use "famous people" pictures as their avatars for the same reason people use "famous people" pictures printed on their t-shirts or school books/cases (yes, I had a Madonna pencil case! It was the freaking 80's and I am not ashamed of it! Pfffft )

People like or identify themselves with that celebrity. They are not saying "I am celebrity X", they are saying "I enjoy/agree/disagree/admire/like to rock at the sound of celebrity X".

If I put a picture of myself as an avatar, it will break as much ice as in real life (as in, no one wants to talk to the ugly weirdo). But if I put a picture of David Gahan or Dostoievsky, I might attract the other weirdos I might enjoy speaking to about something else but the horrible Swiss Summer. I let someone else be my ambassador/ambassatrix.

Pics or GTFO

I don't think it matters that much, what you look like IRL.
As long as you have the same interests and are fun/interesting to talk to, that it.

For me atleast.

I meant it in a way of ice breaking, because you don't know if you have common interests or not with a stranger. I noticed it myself in my old regular comic book store: I'd pick up conversation with the "normal" looking guys and the guys with StarWars/ Superman t-shirts, but the weird 40 year old women dressed like S&M lolittas, I'd keep away... Who knows, maybe those women were actually my twin souls!

When you are shy, a hint on common interests is very much welcome... Otherwise you're doomed to a "what if?"



Sorry, only 6 year old pictures of mine online on embarrasing primary school photos (I hate you, Facebook networks!)...

I don't post my real picture because I don't want all the English Speakers at work to know who KF really is! I shall forever conceal my true identity!!! And for the low cost of 1 Million Dollars (Bwaaaaaa ha hah ha) then I will reveal myself.

Otherwise my picture theme is people spying on others until something happens to influence me in another direction.

by the way, I don't even post my real picture on Facebook outside of what my friends can access.

Me too....I mean my picture not yours.

Yes, but why did you choose a picture of an North American marmot and not a Swiss one?

Tom

True. Thats why I said "doesn't matter that much"

And you are right. In order for someone to get up to someone, they need to have a certain visual credibility.
But then again...it depends on the situation, the common interest etc...

Tom, I'm a N. American marmot, no matter how long I stay here...(even though I admire the local "alpie dogs" very much)

Geez, that Swiss one is pretty freakin' cute....

I can tell you, bear/Dustin Hoffman/motorcycle, whatever, that's all fine. Just don't use a real photo of yourself. Far too many weirdos out there.

Not quite...
<Insert evil laughter>

or atleast I think...

If you are talking about what I think you are talking about, it's not a photo, it's a self-portrait I made. Ah! Take that!

Obivously some sort of weird EF romance is brewing up here....
get a chat room why don't cha??

You have to step away from those Matthew McConaughey movies, Ouchie! ashishshah over there just read my profile and he mentioned it before. That is why I have a good idea on what he is talking about


These boys nowadays...