Is it better to remain a mystery or put photos of ourselves up.

Definitely a matter of personal choice.

I’m not talking about my interest in being seen or not. I’m talking from a human nature point of view. Have you ever made friends with someone online and after seeing their pic you felt different. They weren’t who you thought they were and it threw you off or they were not appealing like reminded you of someone you didn’t get along with?

@Season_of_Fall never happened that way for me. I’ve had friends online that I was friends with for over a decade before seeing a photo of them. It has never changed anything for me. Except, perhaps, the image I had of them in my head. Otherwise, their appearance doesn’t affect whether or not I still find them likable.

I’ve never broken off a friendship because someone looks different than my mind’s eye pictured them. That would be silly, as I tend to imagine all men look like Kevin Bacon and all women look like Kate Winslet until I’m told otherwise. ^_^

I will admit, though, after I know someone as an avatar and a screen name, I have a hell of a time matching that person with their real life identity. For example, I’m Facebook friends with a bunch of Flutherites, but I get so confused as to who they all are. That’s why I generally keep my Facebook profile pic the same as my Fluther avatar.

@Seek_Kolinahr brings up a good point. I also have a hard time remembering which jellies are which face on my Facebook. It really does become like a separate identity.
Welcome back, by the way!

I’m not concerned about someone not interacting, but it just changing the dynamics. I’m really not asking this question with heavy meaning. I’m not concerned about reactions. I just think I like the slight dynamic paradine shift when anynomous.

Very interesting. Four dif people started to comment and than backed off and said nothing. Hmmmm what up with dat.

Happens all the time. I can’t tell you how many time’s I’ve started on a comment and said “ah, eff it.”

In what way would they not be “who you thought they were”? They may not be how you pictured them, but that’s not the same thing by any means…

I like that the first interaction I had with my fiance was without pictures, and without the preconceptions that goes with seeing someone’s appearance. Don’t get me wrong, I was then delighted that I was indeed very attracted to him when we got to that point (and hasten to add that we have since spent lots of time together in person!) but the PERSON he is was who I got to know first – our initial connection was entirely on personality… (I know you weren’t talking about potential mates, that’s just the most relevant example for me!)

Great point. I agree, I am fascinated with social contact over the web. Most of the time it’s people connecting on an emotional level and I think thats great. I agree. Lots might be taking this question wrong, I don’t really have anything to be self conscious about. I’m older if others hadn’t got that yet. but beyond that, thats not why I brought the point up.

One reason I really enjoy Q&A sites is the fact that you can take advantage of the wisdom of the community without the preconceived biases of various demographics. When you don’t know the person giving you advice is 14, you can take it for what it is, and not who it’s coming from.

@Seek_Kolinahr, thats my point, there are constraints in various relationships we have. I ask things here and talk about things that I never would on facebook. Maybe thats the answer to my question. Maybe I fear the constraints of the lack of ananymity.

I think many of us really enjoy the anonymity of Q&A at first. It’s when you see the same people every day for a long time, and you’ve learned who is what age and how many kids they have and who does what for a living, that such things don’t matter as much any longer.

You can only maintain complete anonymity for so long.

I would say mystery. Less chance of being stalked then ‘cause god knows what you look like lol. I at least find anonymity to be one of the great things about the internet, so I take advantage of that. Not to mention when you write something down, someone can easily use it against you if they know who you are. But if they don’t…. well they can’t

I’m assuming you’re talking about on FB. I really think it’s better to post some pictures, but not too many, That way people who don’t really know you can still get an idea of who you are and what you’re like.

Ok, I will only post for a moment at a time, so if anyone is interested, that few of you, strike that one of you, lol, Im doing it. First a high school and than a current. Don’t blink

@Season_of_Fall cheat! ~

Edit – ah, you changed it, I take it back!

Does it make you feel any better?

I feel Naked

Now even more naked @harple don’t worry your the only one that saw, lol. Nobody else cared. lol

You’re a very dapper looking gentleman. Nothing at all to worry about. ^_^

Aw. I missed it.

I wasn’t worried, it was the anonymity. If anyone ask what I look like I will refer them to @Seek_Kolinahr

@TheOnlyNeffie , ask @Seek_Kolinahr

Kinda looks like Steve Martin a little.

See, now I’m going to be under the pressure of being as funny as Steve Martin. Did I mention that I was a wild and crazy guyyy.

most of the time anonymity is fine and perhaps for the best… except when that hot 21 year old babe turns out to be a 50 year old pervert.

I’m perfectly happy being a 25 year old female pervert. ^_^