REQUEST TO TONE DOWN AVATARS!
06-17-2004, 08:16 PM
#106
Three Wheelin'
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My opinion wavers on this subject, but come on guys, Tom R. is one of us, a member of this community. In the end, it's a silly picture that is temporarily associated with your user name. How hard is it to find another cool 200 x 200 image on the internet?
Wait...there's something...wrong about that...?
Originally posted by UDPride
Maybe its just ours, but the local Hooters here has chicks who look like they could gnaw the end of a bedpost off.
Maybe its just ours, but the local Hooters here has chicks who look like they could gnaw the end of a bedpost off.
06-17-2004, 08:17 PM
#107
Instructor
Hi Tom,
This is the funniest thread. Lets take a look at the situation: there's something that bothers you and there are two (and probably more but lets just deal with these) possible solutions:
1) you can start a thread to ask people not to use the avatars that you are worried will hurt the sensibilities of your coworkers, thereby effectively asking your friends here (at least you started the thread liking them, then changed your mind when you found not all of them support you) to conform to the sensibilities of your co-workers (you've already said here that you don't mind them it's just the people around you you're trying to protect)
or...
2) you could just turn off the display of avatars in you preferences.
One option involves you essentially bullying people into doing what you want (look at your wording and punctuation in the title of the thread) and forcing them to make the compromise (with the threat that you'll tell John D on them if they don't: "you guys shoud tone it down befoe John gets involved"(sic)) or you can make the compromise and everyone can go about their own merry lives not having someone else's ideals forced upon them. I think just about everyone here has agreed that the avatars in question are not all that alarming. As has been pointed out there's really nothing here (so far) that you wouldn't see on TV. I'm sure most people (yes, kids included) have seen people in their underwear before and I'm pretty sure just viewing that sort of thing won't damage them irreparably. With the possible exception of UD Pride's avatar
.
It's quite interesting which route you've chosen to go. You're not a lawyer, are you?
Just one last note. It's been said that children are like farts: you can only really stand your own. I'm sure you had a good reason to put up the avatar you did just as a lot of others have good reasons to put up the avatars they've chosen. Some like your avatar some don't. I don't think anyone has asked you to change yours, have they? (except in this thread as a reaction to you pointing out your own opinion of their avatars)
OK, just one more thought, from John D: "I’m still a firm believer one person can’t – and shouldn’t – try to “moderate masses to conformity” based on my individual sense of “right” or “wrong”." Sage advice, as far as I'm (and it seems several others here are) concerned.
This is the funniest thread. Lets take a look at the situation: there's something that bothers you and there are two (and probably more but lets just deal with these) possible solutions:
1) you can start a thread to ask people not to use the avatars that you are worried will hurt the sensibilities of your coworkers, thereby effectively asking your friends here (at least you started the thread liking them, then changed your mind when you found not all of them support you) to conform to the sensibilities of your co-workers (you've already said here that you don't mind them it's just the people around you you're trying to protect)
or...
2) you could just turn off the display of avatars in you preferences.
One option involves you essentially bullying people into doing what you want (look at your wording and punctuation in the title of the thread) and forcing them to make the compromise (with the threat that you'll tell John D on them if they don't: "you guys shoud tone it down befoe John gets involved"(sic)) or you can make the compromise and everyone can go about their own merry lives not having someone else's ideals forced upon them. I think just about everyone here has agreed that the avatars in question are not all that alarming. As has been pointed out there's really nothing here (so far) that you wouldn't see on TV. I'm sure most people (yes, kids included) have seen people in their underwear before and I'm pretty sure just viewing that sort of thing won't damage them irreparably. With the possible exception of UD Pride's avatar
.It's quite interesting which route you've chosen to go. You're not a lawyer, are you?
Just one last note. It's been said that children are like farts: you can only really stand your own. I'm sure you had a good reason to put up the avatar you did just as a lot of others have good reasons to put up the avatars they've chosen. Some like your avatar some don't. I don't think anyone has asked you to change yours, have they? (except in this thread as a reaction to you pointing out your own opinion of their avatars)
OK, just one more thought, from John D: "I’m still a firm believer one person can’t – and shouldn’t – try to “moderate masses to conformity” based on my individual sense of “right” or “wrong”." Sage advice, as far as I'm (and it seems several others here are) concerned.
06-17-2004, 08:37 PM
#108
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Tom, because my wife and I are childless I am offended by those avatars containing children. Our choice was simple, have kids....ruin your life. Have dogs...ruin your carpets. We chose the dogs. Please stick to car related avatars.
06-17-2004, 09:18 PM
#111
Burning Brakes
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Originally posted by owain
It's been said that children are like farts: you can only really stand your own.
It's been said that children are like farts: you can only really stand your own.
06-17-2004, 09:18 PM
#112
Race Car
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Owain and K964,
Great points.
Tom, I am offended by your avatar because I just recently lost a cousin who was a newborn child. Your avatar makes me rethink these experiences. I'd like it if you could "Tone" down the avatar. May I suggest an avatar of the word "My Child?" Then, you would think of your child, and I wouldn't have to think about my recent horrible memories.
Great points.
Tom, I am offended by your avatar because I just recently lost a cousin who was a newborn child. Your avatar makes me rethink these experiences. I'd like it if you could "Tone" down the avatar. May I suggest an avatar of the word "My Child?" Then, you would think of your child, and I wouldn't have to think about my recent horrible memories.
06-17-2004, 09:31 PM
#114
Banned
Could one of you who posted your vitriolic replies please tell me – WTF Tom’s child Avatar has to do with either the issue at hand or what is being discussed?
Make it 20 words or less – I have a really short attention span on this aspect of the topic.
BTW: If you were attempting to make some ambiguous and obscure point – congratulations you succeeded. If you were trying to make a coherent and relevant point – you failed. Miseribly.
Make it 20 words or less – I have a really short attention span on this aspect of the topic.
BTW: If you were attempting to make some ambiguous and obscure point – congratulations you succeeded. If you were trying to make a coherent and relevant point – you failed. Miseribly.
06-17-2004, 09:45 PM
#117
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Great thread, well started by Tom and interesting to see other peoples values. I like Tom have noticed the avatars getting more racey in the last fortnight.
This is really a question of community values which can vary from community to community. As an example I live in Australia where the majority of beaches allow topless sunbathing and in Sydney about 5-10% of women take up this option. Most of my American friends like this. A number of our asian neighbors, usually who are muslim, do not allow uncensored internet or pictures of women in anything less than full coverage. As we can see community values vary enormously. The Rennlist community has its own values. The majority ( I believe all, but cannot ascertain everyone's location) of respondents to this thread are North American, either from USA or Canada. So now we are talking of imposing one persons North American values on this site. Is that right? Europeans and Australians would be surprised by this reaction to avatars, which is probably uniquely North American. The "moral majority" is an interesting concept. One of the reasons I love America is the fact you can usually get the best and worst of everything there (usually around the corner from each other).
I can understand that different workplaces have different values. A friend of mine worked for Horwitcz Publications (aus publishers of Penthouse) and visiting her workplace one always saw interesting things. I loved visiting there, but should her workplace be the standard?
I personally have found the avatars more risque than I care for when I visit a car site. Would I ask anyone to change? Never! This site is as much a place for the teenage guys who visit as old blokes like me, or the women of Rennlist. In fact the teenage guys are the majority, in the 924/944/951/968 section. My nineteen year old daughter is a car enthusiast (likes WRX's) and sometimes views this site. She also had lunch with me on the beach yesterday, which was relatively empty being winter, but we still saw twenty or so topless women. Do I think she would be offended by these avatars? No.
The bottom line is would I try (even in a subtle way) to impose my values on the majority. Never. I will defend the right of free speech for ever. Personally I have found the racist remarks, politcal banners and opinions on the war more offensive, while being more succesful at exposing at how uneducated the writer was and what a limited view of the world (world meaning all the countries of the world) they have.
If I ever find the avatars to racey for me, I will use the "no avatars" button. I hope anyone else who has a problem with avatars does the same, and in the meantime that will allow freedom of expresion for all.
No offense is meant to any individuals by my post.
Good Luck
This is really a question of community values which can vary from community to community. As an example I live in Australia where the majority of beaches allow topless sunbathing and in Sydney about 5-10% of women take up this option. Most of my American friends like this. A number of our asian neighbors, usually who are muslim, do not allow uncensored internet or pictures of women in anything less than full coverage. As we can see community values vary enormously. The Rennlist community has its own values. The majority ( I believe all, but cannot ascertain everyone's location) of respondents to this thread are North American, either from USA or Canada. So now we are talking of imposing one persons North American values on this site. Is that right? Europeans and Australians would be surprised by this reaction to avatars, which is probably uniquely North American. The "moral majority" is an interesting concept. One of the reasons I love America is the fact you can usually get the best and worst of everything there (usually around the corner from each other).
I can understand that different workplaces have different values. A friend of mine worked for Horwitcz Publications (aus publishers of Penthouse) and visiting her workplace one always saw interesting things. I loved visiting there, but should her workplace be the standard?
I personally have found the avatars more risque than I care for when I visit a car site. Would I ask anyone to change? Never! This site is as much a place for the teenage guys who visit as old blokes like me, or the women of Rennlist. In fact the teenage guys are the majority, in the 924/944/951/968 section. My nineteen year old daughter is a car enthusiast (likes WRX's) and sometimes views this site. She also had lunch with me on the beach yesterday, which was relatively empty being winter, but we still saw twenty or so topless women. Do I think she would be offended by these avatars? No.
The bottom line is would I try (even in a subtle way) to impose my values on the majority. Never. I will defend the right of free speech for ever. Personally I have found the racist remarks, politcal banners and opinions on the war more offensive, while being more succesful at exposing at how uneducated the writer was and what a limited view of the world (world meaning all the countries of the world) they have.
If I ever find the avatars to racey for me, I will use the "no avatars" button. I hope anyone else who has a problem with avatars does the same, and in the meantime that will allow freedom of expresion for all.
No offense is meant to any individuals by my post.
Good Luck
06-17-2004, 09:47 PM
#118
Burning Brakes
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I am totally lost here. Has it ever been explained why turning off the avatars at work or home is impossible? Aren't the people with the girlie avatars as much a part of the Rennlist community as the people without them?
Emanuel (at work, with avatars off)
Emanuel (at work, with avatars off)
06-17-2004, 09:57 PM
#119
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Not that i am going to get in this one by any means, but here is my question. What if someone posted a picture of a completely nude woman or a pornographic picture? Would they be banned or asked to remove it? That is, who decides where to draw the line, and whoever that person is, does so based on his or her own beliefs. Some people may find women in lingerie just as offensive as a completely nude picture, while others make no distinction. Just food for thought. Oh....i like french fries by the way.
Edit....i mean avatar, not posting a picture.
Edit....i mean avatar, not posting a picture.
06-17-2004, 10:15 PM
#120
Nordschleife Master
It's clear to me that John D has the final word on what is acceptable.
If he tolerates something, than others should not demand otherwise. Same goes if he doesn't tolerate something.
I'd normally argue anything with anyone, but if John D says this is the way it's gonna be, I'll bite my lip and keep my mouth shut out of respect!
If he tolerates something, than others should not demand otherwise. Same goes if he doesn't tolerate something.
I'd normally argue anything with anyone, but if John D says this is the way it's gonna be, I'll bite my lip and keep my mouth shut out of respect!