On My Userpics
Ever wonder why my default pic is almost always a picture of me? I wrote up an entry on Tumblr about it. But, since Tumblr has its limits as a blogging platform (namely tags & reply functionality), I'll repost here!
Over the years, I’ve had a lot of people misunderstand the reason I use my own face as my main avatar across social media platforms. Some people think it’s simply vanity (and, particularly as we’ve moved into the era of The Selfie, what exactly is so terrible about liking your own face?). But it’s not.
(I’ll preface by saying that I do think there are legit reasons for wanting to be anonymous online. Particularly when it comes to finding/maintaining employment, or those who have had issues with harassment and stalkers. Everyone’s comfort level is different.)
You’ll note that in addition to using my own face as my icon, I also use my own name— on the profile or main page of every single social media platform I use, you can find my name, or the link to a place where my name is readily displayed. If you Google any of my screennames or my business’s name, my real, full name comes up.
That wasn’t always the case, particularly as a minor, for safety reasons… but as an adult, I find it imperative. Because, for me, it’s accountability. I see way too many nameless trolls who feel absolutely fine spreading hate and vitriol, needling and insulting, all behind the mask of anonymity. They feel safest in the shadows. Anything goes, since they will never be held accountable for their words.
My lack of anonymity is a conscious choice for just that reason. I want people to know that there is an individual behind the words. I want them to see my face and realize there is a person behind the keyboard. I want people to know who to contact if they want to discuss something I’ve said. I want to know that anything I say will be on the record— it makes me think before I write a response in moments of conflict. It holds me accountable to my own words.
And that’s why you see my face every time I post.
Over the years, I’ve had a lot of people misunderstand the reason I use my own face as my main avatar across social media platforms. Some people think it’s simply vanity (and, particularly as we’ve moved into the era of The Selfie, what exactly is so terrible about liking your own face?). But it’s not.
(I’ll preface by saying that I do think there are legit reasons for wanting to be anonymous online. Particularly when it comes to finding/maintaining employment, or those who have had issues with harassment and stalkers. Everyone’s comfort level is different.)
You’ll note that in addition to using my own face as my icon, I also use my own name— on the profile or main page of every single social media platform I use, you can find my name, or the link to a place where my name is readily displayed. If you Google any of my screennames or my business’s name, my real, full name comes up.
That wasn’t always the case, particularly as a minor, for safety reasons… but as an adult, I find it imperative. Because, for me, it’s accountability. I see way too many nameless trolls who feel absolutely fine spreading hate and vitriol, needling and insulting, all behind the mask of anonymity. They feel safest in the shadows. Anything goes, since they will never be held accountable for their words.
My lack of anonymity is a conscious choice for just that reason. I want people to know that there is an individual behind the words. I want them to see my face and realize there is a person behind the keyboard. I want people to know who to contact if they want to discuss something I’ve said. I want to know that anything I say will be on the record— it makes me think before I write a response in moments of conflict. It holds me accountable to my own words.
And that’s why you see my face every time I post.