Metaish: Discernment in MGoAvatar choices
At the risk of being labeled the next Stephen R Kass I feel like this topic is worth bringing up.
I've noticed more and more "racy" avatars popping up on the site and I just wanted to advocate for some discernment in avatar choices so that the board can still be accessed at all times of day without any fear of something potentially being NSFW.
I know that you're really pumped about finding a picture of a half nude woman sporting Michigan gear, but is it really necessary to make it your avatar?
I don't know, maybe I'm alone on this one, but I'm sure some of you are in the same boat as me. Thoughts?
October 31st, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
I think its fine the way it is, but its a point worth bringing up imo. Especially now that we are going to see a lot of new users getting them, its a good thing to note.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^
If you want an example of how this can get out of control, just go to the scout ND free board...its REEEAAALLLYYY nice...in the appropriate settings
October 31st, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
I take offense to this comment. My avatar is very tastefully dressed, even though it is/was a direct attempt to mock another Michigan blog. (They no longer use this image for their made up Q&A)
October 31st, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^
It pushes sites like that far, far to the wayside, even if they now have proper formatting.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:29 PM ^
avatar not only OFFEND and punch me in MOUTH, but also carry LARGE sack with poor pad LEVEL.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^
signed, gnarly beard fetishists everywhere
/s
October 31st, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
touché
October 31st, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
Bring back negs!!! This joint is like Vietnam without them.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^
the neg votes or possibility of a negbang.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:46 PM ^
Not sure if serious... Wasn't that the complaint during the era of the neg bang? That a few posters with insane point totals could squelch legitimate discussion?
I always thought that argument was a bunch of hooey, but I don't see how the board is more of an oligarchy now...
October 31st, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
I forgot that the pineapple was a phallic symbol in some cultures. My bad, man.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
The ugliness of my avatar has cracked three of my monitors by now, but it's worth it.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
I've always wondered where that picture originated. Is it from a real game? It just seems too perfect to be real.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
I was told that it's from the 1998 OSU-MSU game. OSU was #1, Sparty was a measly .500 squad.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
At least after that game is when it popped up.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^
The guy in the center is Orlas King, aka the Neutron Man.
He passed away in 2004.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/ncaa/10/07/bc.fbc.obit.neutronman.ap/index.html
October 31st, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
If you have ad-block plus you can block specific images. I agree with your point about using discretion though.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
Even better, with Adblock Plus you can block _all_ avatars, making the board significantly more readable.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
I too get a little extra excited when seeing pictures of Denard.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
I agree with the OP. There are other places to go if you want HAWT CHICKS. Not only can it present NSFW issues but it is just kinda lame.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:07 PM ^
If people are so worried about things on this site that are NSFW, maybe they shouldn't be on the site at work. Just a thought.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
have you actually tried to get through a day of work without Mgoblog? It's brutal
October 31st, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^
So you want people to avoid the enjoyment of reading mgoblog at work, and subsequently take away $ from Brian due to less page views/hits, just so that some dudes can have some HAWT CHICK avatars?
People can do what they want, I don't judge anyone; and like I said above, you can use ad-block plus to block images, BUT people need to be aware that their actions have consequences and that in this case it might not be wise to use a racey avatar for numerous reasons.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
The point is that if one is truly worried that his work environment is so strict that co-workers/bosses will frown upon pictures of women in bathing suits or whatever, then they will also probably frown upon someone spending significant amounts of time on a football message board.
There's nothing that says people should choose scantily clad women as avatars...
...but which is more morally corrupt?
a) picking a scantily clad (but non-nude) woman as an avatar
b) getting paid to sit at work and peruse a message board
I'm not morally perfect and I spend a fair amount of time at work reading MGoBlog, but I also realize that...well...I shouldn't be on here at work.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:43 PM ^
As one who does the paying I emphatically opine that b) is worse
November 1st, 2011 at 7:20 PM ^
That depends, are you salary or hourly? Browsing the internet at work is a definite shade of gray in the case of salary, which you could justify browsing a leisure site for a litle bit everyday say around lunch time without much argument; but browsing one with ocassional scantily clad women might push it into the realm of unacceptable no matter what for some employers. If hourly, obviously, you shouldn't be browsing the internet at work.
Like I said, people can do what they want and most browsers have the ability to block specific images with ad-ons. And yet, to me, I don't want to potentially take the ability to read mgoblog away from one of my fellow M fans (and in turn $ from Brian) just so that I can have a HAWT avatar. I respect those that feel differently, that's just my thoughts.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
If you're really worried about being fired from your job due to a 1''x1'' picture on your monitor having clevage in it, maybe you should just wait until you get home to visit the board.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:11 PM ^
Where are these NSFW avatars? I need to "stay away from them"...
October 31st, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^
I assume he means this one.
Link, so more of you can use it.
http://www.sportsfantreasures.com/ncaa-michigan-wolverines-swimwear.htm
October 31st, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
Someone that will remain nameless uses a girl I knew at Michigan for his avatar. I've always been interested in asking her if she feels creeped out by it.
I've never said anything but there's that factor at hand, as well.
Just so I'm clear, I love the hot chick avatars so it's all good with me.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^
i know her too and she seemed to take it in stride, especially when recognized a long way from home.
i'm an advocate of removing the 'hawt' simply because it's the epitome of RCMB "look how straight we are"ish
October 31st, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^
I read JakeinVeniceFL for the articles. I also compulsively upvote for the avatar.
NSFW... **good grief**
October 31st, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
October 31st, 2011 at 11:08 PM ^
But I must say, from my perspective her face (in the link) leaves something to be desired.
October 31st, 2011 at 11:46 PM ^
lol...that can be taken two ways...I hope, after your well-documented anti-sexist postings, that you are not offering a negative critique of this woman's appearance...please tell me that is not the case
alternatively..."her face (in the link) leaves something to be desired"
could mean that you are simply overtly lusting after her...
or, is she just not up to your lofty avatar-demonstrated standards?
November 1st, 2011 at 12:16 AM ^
However, I always thought good writing could be interpreted in more than one way.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
you aren't lacking in self-importance
November 1st, 2011 at 1:23 AM ^
I fail . . . should have used /s tag. Sorry.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:55 AM ^
sure okay
October 31st, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
Is half as epic as the Kass one.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
This probably doesnt deserve its own thread, but those of you who follow hockey might be pleased with this. I go to Ann Arbor Pioneer high school, and as you may or may not know we host the USA U-18 team, so I get to see those players on a semi-regular basis. I just want to say that Connor Carrick is the absolute man. USAs have a reputation in our school for their douche-ness, but Connor is one of the nicest people I know. On the ice he's intense, but I have a class with him and he's very laid back and funny. He's genuinely one of the most likeable people I have met at pioneer, has a very deep personality, and has quite the conscience (never drank or smoked despite ample opportunity; he told me as a kid he would sometimes yell at his dad for drinking).
Cool story bro, I know, but I just thought people should know that not only is he a great hockey player, but he is legitimately an amazing guy (which isnt true of most players). Definitely a guy to root for once he hits campus.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:17 PM ^
Sorry you get boners from my naked insectosaurus.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
Its the teeth, I just cant help myself.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^
tooth*
October 31st, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
oops, sorry, didnt mean to get you fired a second ago
October 31st, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^
Letting us see Lady Godiva naked like that. You mass murderer.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^
my avatar's cleavage.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:58 PM ^
October 31st, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^
I apologize for my avatar, and the violence toward children that it undoubtedly causes.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^
Who cares about child abuse. Your avatar always brings a smile to my face, so please don't go changin' it.