What Does Your Avatar Say About You?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Rokeby, Oct 24, 2008.

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  1. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    What meaning, significance, or idea are you trying to convey through the
    picture in your avatar?

    There are some very unusual pictures out there. They are for the
    most part everyone else's 'picture' of you. Surely, there is a reason why
    you chose that particular picture/graphic to be your surrogate image.

    (There was a somewhat similar thread back in 2005, well before the
    majority of today's members joined -- me included.)

    I guess that it's only fair that I should start.

    My picture is an extract from a page in the annotated illustrated "children's"
    book, Cybernetics! ostensibly written by one "Stanislaw Mayakovski" in
    2172. Basically it is a story about the adventures of "Ari," a man-made,
    micro-miniaturized, computerized ant.

    In the picture, Ari is protecting her friend Bill, a small beetle that rides on
    ants and grooms them, from a large spider. To the question of how/why an
    ant would have a built in miniaturized cold plasma laser, Mayakovski
    answered: "I'd want one."

    Jerry Prosser's annotation, adds:

    "He gave an ant a gun and presented his findings as a children's book. He
    once replied to criticism that his work [in natural and artificial intelligence]
    and findings were shoddy by saying, ' It is only the limited imagination
    that takes refuge in the banal structure of formal science. A childlike sense
    of wonder and curiosity transcends these limitations and is more faithful to
    the aims of science than academic dogma and conceit. That is why I write
    for children.' "

    Well, the idea of a working, sentient, man-made ant somehow reminded me
    of the Prius. And there are times, mostly when I'm driving, that I would like
    a built-in laser weapon to, well... express my displeasure.

    I liked the story and especially the art work. I fully support the sentiment
    that a "childlike sense of wonder and curiosity" is necessary for all learners,
    young and old alike.

    You learn best when you're having fun. I'm learning a lot here on PriusChat.

    Cybernetics!, Text by Rick Geary. Drawings by Jerry Prosser, 1992.
    "Manufactured in the United States." ISBN1-878574-29-9.
    (Basically, it is a hard back comic book.)
     
    #1 Rokeby, Oct 24, 2008
  2. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

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    Um...I made it?
     
    #2 markderail, Oct 24, 2008
  3. effwitt

    effwitt Paparazzi Magnet

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    Mine is a little bird that flew into a glass door at my office the first day I drove my Prius to work. I told my wife that it saw me drive up in a Prius so it knew I wasn't a threat. The reality is that it was stunned so I could stick my cell phone right next to its beak and snap a picture. He/she is of course a poparazzi magnet...
     
    #3 effwitt, Oct 24, 2008
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I edited mine out of a family group photo.


    Okay, actually I love Futurama. In my mind it never went off the air and I love that they are making more material. My avatar is Urr, Ruler of Omicron Persei 8. For a while I was Zapp Brannigan.
     
    #4 TonyPSchaefer, Oct 24, 2008
  5. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Uh... is there a picture of Mrs. Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 and any little ones? :p
     
    #5 Rokeby, Oct 24, 2008
  6. Bohous

    Bohous New Member

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    And for a while you were "That Guy" aka "80's guy", which was the best. Maybe my favorite episode.

    My avatar is the original electric Citi Car. I just think they're cool so I thought it would make a good avatar and it doesn't get lost among all the Prius and pets.


    Lrr is in fact married to NdNd and while I'm unsure if they have procreated I can tell you that their offspring are knows as Popplers and they are freakin' delicious. I think they still sell them at Fishy Joes.
     
    #6 Bohous, Oct 24, 2008
  7. boulder_bum

    boulder_bum Senior Member

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    I drive a Prius.
     
    #7 boulder_bum, Oct 24, 2008
  8. boulder_bum

    boulder_bum Senior Member

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    ...and I live in Colorado.
     
    #8 boulder_bum, Oct 24, 2008
  9. Unlimited_MPG

    Unlimited_MPG Member

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    I ride a bike and get better MPG than anyone here. :cheer2:
     
    #9 Unlimited_MPG, Oct 24, 2008
  10. boulder_bum

    boulder_bum Senior Member

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    I'll handle this. Careful not to eat the kids... the parents will destroy you!

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    #10 boulder_bum, Oct 24, 2008
  11. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Better than working at home? Some days my commute is only seconds. :)

    My avatar goes very well with the name, I think. I spend a fair bit of time in my own company, I have a sense of humour, and I'm always ready to rescue a damsel in distress.
     
    #11 hyo silver, Oct 24, 2008
  12. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Hyo is right. His avatar IS what he looks like. And he does a wicked sense of humour.

    My avatar says... my car is easy to spot in a parking lot.
     
    #12 Rae Vynn, Oct 24, 2008
  13. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I guess that's right. I said "Urr" but it's actually "Lrr".
    Thanks for the correction, Bohous.

    While I was waiting for Priapus to arrive, my avatar was [​IMG]
    It's an actual picture of my garage with an actual Prius cut-out.
     
    #13 TonyPSchaefer, Oct 24, 2008
  14. perryma

    perryma New Member

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    My Avatar says that I am a family man and a home owner and I guess that my wife and I decided not to "wait" until we got married.
     
    #14 perryma, Oct 25, 2008
  15. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Not! . . . that's a Duffy 'Electric' boat parked in the front (or is that the rear:confused:) of our house (red roof), and we're putting up PV panels, to run it, and most everything else, so the juice is literally, 'on the house'. So my friend, you've been out smugged :D The Canadian Geese just 'happen' to be grazing, and got in the picture.
     
    #15 hill, Oct 25, 2008
  16. Jamie Hellmich

    Jamie Hellmich New Member

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    Mine is just for the contrast. 50 miles to the gallon vs. 7 feet to the gallon. Of course, the Prius won't haul the Space Shuttle though.

    Jamie
     
    #16 Jamie Hellmich, Oct 25, 2008
  17. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    HTTP 404 Not Found
     
    #17 catgic, Oct 25, 2008
  18. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    HTTP 404 Not Found
     
    #18 catgic, Oct 25, 2008
  19. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    catgic,

    Is it fair to paraphrase your post as:

    An avatar is what it is, no more, no less.
     
    #19 Rokeby, Oct 25, 2008
  20. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    I like photography.
     
    #20 zenMachine, Oct 25, 2008
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