Avatar discussion

[Chiroptera]

I have seen way creepier images than that, and hung them on my wall as art.

[Tbora]

Same I see it as more cheap halloween decoration creepy and something to laugh at, then something that seriously gives me the ick vibes.

[Ms Duck]

define 'creepy'

is it provocative? certianly? Unsuitable for younger persons, as the forum guidelines seem to be set too, largely due to the existence of youger persons on the board, and a natural inclination of the mods not to want to spend thanksgiving explaining things to fox news and the FBI?

Not as far as I can see.

My vote would be:

Carry on as you see fit;

with the caveat that if someone told me my avatar was creeping them out, Id say oh sorry and promptly change it too a nice cudly teddy bear; just cause you know that would be the nice thing to do for friends.  

[asetti]

Wow....Child Torture/murder?  isn't that a bit of a reach?

[snowbank]

Wow....Child Torture/murder?  isn't that a bit of a reach?

No. It looks like a creepy DEAD doll/infant's head to me. I am of simple, unsophisticated tastes.

[Enjorous]

I normally stay out of discussions like this because they're very rarely worth it imo. However, I have a problem with this whole line of inquiry, are we to say that policy should be decided on how vocal someone is? If one person finds it unbearably wrong or frightening or distasteful. Are we going to ask Icecream to take down her avatar if someone with Cynophobia complains about it? Are we going to lock/delete/immolate all the lolcat threads if someone who claims to have Elurophobia complains loud enough? At what point do we stop bowing down and catering to the whims of a minority who complains? All this does is instill that the moral that around here if you complain loud enough for long enough you'll get your way. I didn't see everyone who was scared of/disgusted by or hated spiders take up arms and attempt to rid the forum of the lolspider thread and try to force a reprimand of those who posted images.

[jeno]

That could also lead to the majority stomping all over the minority. Not a very welcoming environment for a board, imo.

[snowbank]

Are we going to ask Icecream to take down her avatar if someone with Cynophobia complains about it?

NO. In fact, I think Icecream's avatar has taken the 'Cutest Puppy Avatar Award' away from Acorn. It's a sad day, but less good things happen.

[tallgrrl]

Wait!  There's a lolspider thread?        WHERE!!!???

For the record, I dislike the avatar under discussion and avert my eyes from it whenever it's on the page.  I'm old, not at all impressionable, but I don't disagree with whoever said it brings to mind babykilling/mutilation sort of feelings,(Huge paraphrase there) which in my opinion was obviously (FM)'s intent.  (No, I'm not a mind reader, I DID say IMO)   ...I slide the screen so it's partially off the screen for now if it's on the screen long enough while I'm reading, and I may disable avatars if it or any other one bugs me enough.  

I've seen death, injury, and I've seen awful things in RL and I'm not a fluffy sort of person, I can hold a wound or artery with my bare hands if I need to so you don't bleed to death... I just don't care to see it here so I move my window off screen.  I'm less offended by sexual innuendo or explicit stuff than that empty doll head, but I understand that there are many reasons for such restrictions.  If I had a 13 year old who frequented this board, I would explain that in this case, I think (FM) is getting the reaction he/she wanted here and now, and it's behaviour I'd expect my kid to avoid, and that it's totally possible for a person to have a unique avatar without offending others and grasping for attention.

//eta//  I know I'm just a n00B, but this thread offered me the chance to scratch the itch I got as soon as I saw that avatar.

[Blaze]

If you find posters avatars frightening or offensive, may I suggest that you go in to the personal preferences section of your account and disable viewing people's avatars.

This is a simple, inoffensive way to protect yourself if you are particularly image sensitive.

Click "Profile"
Then click "Look and Layout Preferences"
Next check the box in front of "Don't show users' avatars."

Save the changes to your preferences.

You will not longer have a problem with avatars which, while they meet the criterion for use on this forum, offend or disturb you.

[snowbank]

If you find posters avatars frightening or offensive, may I suggest that you go in to the personal preferences section of your account and disable viewing people's avatars.

Is this to ignore ALL avatars or just ONE?

I enjoy seeing most avatars, they are funny or cute or stupid or flashy. It is just this one I find offensive.

[Blaze]

All avatars.  Because that is how the software works.

[Vantillus Octavious]

I find it creepy; however, whatever thoughts I have about it, is on me.
I do not expect him to take it down but I do wonder if he is trying to bug anyone with it...

[AcornArmy]

For the record, my post was just meant to be a semi-humorous comment about how creepy the thing was. I wasn't trying to call for a ban on the creepiness or anything. I just did what I always do when I see an avatar that I'm pretty sure I don't want to have to keep looking at: I set my browser to block the image. Problem solved, from my perspective.

NO. In fact, I think Icecream's avatar has taken the 'Cutest Puppy Avatar Award' away from Acorn. It's a sad day, but less good things happen.

Maybe so, but is her avatar a picture of a Foo Dog puppy? I think not!

[Blaze]

Would you care to teach folks how to do that blocking image thing?