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 7:36 PM ^
October 31st, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^
Mine reeks of brony. Therefore, it may be the most offensive.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
<--------fully (and appropiately) clothed and my kin thank you.
And are we seriously talking about censuring the barely racey (and tiny) photos on this site. Pulease. Isn't it football season or something; there must be something to discuss. Football maybe?
October 31st, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^
I see this as a preemptive measure. It's good to maintain the dignity of the sight regardless of the season or availability of more on-topic material.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
I'm sorry. Would a picture of a kangaroo drinking beer be considered more SFW at your place of business?
October 31st, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
Your avatar makes me laugh everytime I see it, even though it's NSFW for the lady roos. Never change it.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
Changed mine. I dont think it should be that big of a deal, but then again if its going to cause an issue its not a big deal.
It is ammusing to see attractive girls in Michigan stuff and is only a tiny corner, but whatever.
Edit:And my image hasnt changed yet so some of you are gonna be like....uhh u didnt change it
and then others will be like what? when it finally does)
October 31st, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
I like the new one!
October 31st, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^
Obviously I like it a lot.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
if my avatar is too sexy.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^
you cropped out his short shorts!
October 31st, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
October 31st, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^
Good thing my avatar isn't peeing on anything. And everything. In an overexposed and over-licensed type of way.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
Bill Waterson never licensed the Calvin peeing on stuff bumper stickers that you see on a lot of pick up trucks. I don't think he licensed any merchandise. But he is awesome, like your avatar.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:55 PM ^
I'm just glad the avatar option works at all now. I waited almost three months until I could add this little guy. Didn't feel right to post without one.
October 31st, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
I do tend to question the internet search skills of people who go "hey bro i posvoted you for hawt bewbs avatar!!" I wonder if they know that porn not only comes in bigger sizes, but nakeder too.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^
than a fully naked porn star not wearing Michigan gear.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
I mean if they were given a motion picture rating some might rate PG or might even cross into PG 13. Is that really a problem? Unless you work in a convent or something, I don't see how the avatars would be a problem.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
True, and I think they are small enough they really don't matter. However, from the position that this is a more "high brow message board," I don't really think the pictures really have a place. Call me a pansy, but I just kind of feel sad every time I see a Michigan BEWBS picture. I just think we need to avoid the lowest common denominator action and keep this board as far away from scout boards as possible. Plus, didn't Brian post about not liking those kinds of avatars somewhere?
October 31st, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^
Humbly apologizes for <- image
October 31st, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
Ruuuffiiiii...oh. Im sorrry. Dante Basco is one handsome devil.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:41 PM ^
My new avatar is adorable and my signature says "let's be serious".
October 31st, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^
Tell me right now you never check TTB at work.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
I have and it gets awkward. I just use my phone for nowadays. Kind of wish those photos would default to hidden but click to display.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:23 PM ^
I wish I could enlarge your avatar.
October 31st, 2011 at 11:18 PM ^
Touch the Banner, Magnus' site, link http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/search/label/hot%20girls.
Lucy Pinder is the name. Very attractive. Very clearly NSFW/H in full size.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^
How do you know this? I thought you weren't allowed to know things like this.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:50 PM ^
<----- actual "race"y avatar is vastly superior to "racy" avatar
October 31st, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
Indeed, especially when it's a ninja 250; fun little bike.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^
I felt like a n00b getting a 250 at first (I'm 5'2" and it was the only thing my feet had a chance of reaching the ground on without lowering links, and I didn't want to put in that much effort for a bike I was just going to use around town for senior year), but it has been super fun, and I spend less on gas than a Prius driver. My dad always asks to take it out whenever he's in town.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:27 PM ^
If you're a woman who likes rocking revealing Michigan gear, it's probably within your rights to have your own picture as your avatar.
If you're a dude who wants a picture of a woman for your avatar, keep it PG-13.
How is it that no one has OMG Tebow as an avatar by the way???
October 31st, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
You think the 1 avatar on here that has a girl in a bathing suit is racy? Thats actually quite laughable...
October 31st, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^
You are on your own on this.
October 31st, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^
Uploading my avatar still doesn't work for me. I'm still getting the message that the pictures directory doesn't exist.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:04 PM ^
***DISCRETION!!!!
October 31st, 2011 at 10:32 PM ^
Is my avatar NSFW?
I tell you what- this guy's abs could get a night job as a laundromat, amirite?
October 31st, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
November 1st, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^
That is a classic picture. I have it on my website (yes, I still have one of those).
I guess I should be worried about the fact that my avatar isn't wearing any clothes.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:44 AM ^
I haven't been at mgoblog much today, between work and walking my kids around for trick or treating. And then, I see this thread. Referencing my name and mocking my past posts. The nerve! Regarding the post referenced, I will say I deserved to be skewered, and my basic response when reading the thread response to my op last year is perhaps best captured by the vid of "facepalm guy." However, it only takes a second to hit "enter" and put up a post. It takes a lifetime to deal with the shame. I will say, it was an extremely entertaining thread, even if I was the one being roasted. Sometimes, you get what you deserve. I would not be offended if that thread was released by the mods.
Regarding the concern of the OP with avatars and appropriateness of pics used, I really don't care all that much one way or the other. A 1x1 pic is pretty hard to see clearly if I happen to have mgoblog up on the screen, either at work or home.
As to specific avatars used, I personally have absoutely no problem with JakeinVeniceFL. It is tasteful, if attractive and sexist. White Pony Rocks and A2Hawk (Lucy Pinder) are a bit much for me personally, in terms of appropriateness, but like I said, at the size of the avatar, it doesn't matter that much. This is a free country, and a Michigan website, so I guess guys can do what they want. Brian is not the "bad taste" police. Although iirc, he or profitgoblue or mgeauxblue or some other mod did remove a couple of avatars they thought were over the top.
The issue for me has always been large images, especially of full frontal nudity (although full rear nudity or thongs is prob. in the same category.) Let's get real: anyone can go surf a million sites if they want to see boobs and more. But a Michigan sports blog isn't the place, and massive bouncing boobies on a large screen will impress neither my wife nor my admin asst.
Also, to be sure, this is something that Brian and the mods have been real clear about in in the past, and you can actually find what Brian says about it in the menu tabs above the content. Go to "Useful Stuff" and you will find many of Brian's informative posts linked. In particular, some of you newbies should go to the mgoblog HOF. The Link regarding pics: http://mgoblog.com/content/official-mgoblog-pet-peeve-list.
Here is what Brian says, and I agree 100%:
It's a picture of boobies!
Ever open a fifteen-post thread at work and get two different 800x600 pictures of impossibly fake boobs alternating for pages and pages? And then have your boss walk up behind you? Thanks, internet hero, for turning my idle surfing of a sports site into a firing offense! No one needs to see the same set of fake gazongas eighty times accompanied by your three words of deep insight into the team of your choice.
EXAMPLE
Go to Rivals and click on a thread.
DIAGNOSIS
Person is fourteen and has a constant boner. Likely to turn into a guy who says "stud" constantly after being rejected by women for the next ten to eighty years.
CURE
An introduction to life's harsh realities, hopefully beginning with a slap upside the head.
SUSCEPTIBLE FANBASES
Anybody with a site on Rivals.
EXCEPTIONS
Arguments about hot chicks are always welcome as long as denoted in the subject title and the specific purpose of a thread. Also exempt are pictures of Scarlett Johansson.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:05 AM ^
yeah...okay :)...we get it...you have an admin asst
November 1st, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
I like your take on boobies. And I love boobies.
November 1st, 2011 at 7:05 AM ^
I promote smoking among Vulcans, no problem with hot Avatars.
November 1st, 2011 at 8:34 AM ^
I'm with the OP. I like reading mgoblog on breaks at work and don't need someone's avatar getting the site blocked. I hope mine isn't too violent for the hippies though.
November 1st, 2011 at 9:00 AM ^
the day i replace my old avatar this comes up, I will change if need be. But mine isnt terrible it just shows the essence of a womans body with great lighting and a wonderful pose. I thought of it more as art then just a picture, sorry for me bad taste gentlemen.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^
There is nothing wrong with your avatar.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:30 AM ^
His avatar is the best.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:58 AM ^
I simply cannot think of a better personification for my avatar than the Davalos twins, who are both Awesome and from Colombia. Will find something more demure if that's what the people want.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
Wow, they are identical!