The Unintentional Influence of the Avatar

A little background:

So, I do spend more time on ATS than I probably should. ATS has been, and occasionally continues to be one of the best sources of "breaking news".

I have a new boss. He came in like a fascist tornado and destroyed my happy career space. He blocked all internet access. I can't even use google. He also made a bunch of stupid decisions without seeking counsel, which have come to bite us in the ass, so now I am paying off his douchbaggery through 12 hour shifts on a salary. Three jeers for arrogant cock-holsters! Hip hip..... yea, not worth it.

All of that aside, I access ATS now mainly through my phone. So, through the phone, I see names, and their subsequent posts regarding the whatevers that ATS finds thread-worthy in the moment. I agree and disagree just as usual, but sometimes when I get home and check an ongoing thread from my PC, I find that I agree with people I normally don't agree with. I disagree with people I usually agree with. It's strange.

I usually know a member by their avatar, just as I know RL folks by their vehicles.

Now, knowing what has only been recently evident to me, I have to ask. Would my view or opinion be swayed had I participated in a thread on my PC where I can see avatars at a glance and know with whom I am speaking? Do our avatars have some underlying influence in how what we have written is perceived?

I'm not entirely sure one way or the other. I just wanted to throw it out there for a discussion, and see if anybody else notices similar things.



Boba

Not in my experience. A good post is a good post.

A bad post wins no internets.



Side note, you can see Avis on your phone. Go to your account settings and change to desktop background.

a reply to: Hazardous1408

Yea, regarding your side-note, that didn't work on my droid or i-phone. Both showed avies in the past, neither do now, I've jacked with settings for hours. I don't know what changed.

a reply to: Bobaganoosh

Strange I use an iPhone and always have it on desktop version.

Mobile version is a horrible eye sore and clunky.


Not to derail of course, back to whether or not avatars influence the reader.

Maybe, but that seems a bit cliquey... Board gangs and whatever.


I've no doubt seen it, but I assumed it was political influence rather than avatar.

I have avatars and backgrounds turned off...

Maybe that's a good thing. I'd be more likely to get annoyed at how long it took to load and I wouldn't want that to make me cranky and perhaps not appreciate a good post.

a reply to: Boadicea

That would be an interesting way to investigate what I've seen for myself.

Thanks for that.

I don't tend to change much. I just kind of set things up in the beginning and leave them that way. I don't like the thought of cyber maintenance when physical maintenance of my worldly possessions already eats tons of what little time I have.

Should I choose to investigate this observation further, I will do as you and disable those things. Load time isn't an issue with my PC, just as data usage isn't an issue with my work or personal phone. I'm a proud member of the last of the verison unlimited data holdouts. Heheheee.

a reply to: Bobaganoosh

I'm looking at a plain grey screen, no avis

a reply to: Hazardous1408
I use my iPhone too on desktop mode. Works much better.

I do find myself looking at the persons Avatar!

a reply to: [post=20698661]Bobaganoosh[/post

I'd be interested in what you find out if you do... I hope you'll share.

I'm quite the creature of habit too. Data isn't as big an issue for me now, but when I signed up I was still on dial-up -- Ugh!!! But if it ain't broke you don't fix it, right? So I never changed my settings!

a reply to: Bobaganoosh

I use 30 different avatars. You are aware people do that, rt? It depends on how I feel and the topic...so, how WOULD you know?

a reply to: Bobaganoosh

Interesting considering my avatar is simply a reflection more or less of my sense of humor and the season and not really a deep representation of me.

I change avatars quite frequently.

a reply to: ketsuko

Something about your Walken Avatar gets me all the time. Love it!

a reply to: Quantum12





I found another version of it yesterday.

a reply to: Boadicea

See, there we go.. A few posts in, and already, perspectives have been lent. Things have been noted, and actions might be taken.

a reply to: Quantum12

All who are capable look at the avatar. It is near involuntary. The question is, how does it affect your response?

For instance, your avatar seems to have an inquisitive, and also accusatory expression. Whatever is attached to it, usually leads me to draw a conclusion instantly and formulate a response based on either of those two paths. Sometimes those responses are posted, most of the time they wouldn't be.

See where this leads?


I know my avie can be off-putting. I also tend to believe my responses can be as well.

a reply to: ketsuko

You are funny!!! The first one rocks!!!

a reply to: mysterioustranger

Totally realize that.

Most of my time used to be on the PC.

It is also advantageous. I tend to read the new face. How many others?

a reply to: ketsuko

And your current one has to be one of my favs. Just a sucker for Kirk I guess.

a reply to: ketsuko

Got to have more cowbell baby

a reply to: Bobaganoosh

Now that you have me thinking, yes I tend to respond to the avatar.
This was my avatar Gordi made me, it lasted one day. All the responses to my posts were saying get rid of it lol.

a reply to: Bobaganoosh

I just think of you as the MST3K guy. Maybe that's the wrong way to think of it?



Doc Forrester.