So I've been sitting here ruminating all philosophical-like on the concept of profile pictures. Bear with me, cuz I don't have any real point to make, other than to say that profile pictures are a strange convention.
I was reading an article on CNN yesterday that described the phenomena of folks creating idealized personas online, and how some people are now paying artists hundreds of dollars to create portraits and avatars. And as disturbing as that is, I completely understand why these pople are going to all the trouble. Cuz I'm right down there with them.
I was reading an article on CNN yesterday that described the phenomena of folks creating idealized personas online, and how some people are now paying artists hundreds of dollars to create portraits and avatars. And as disturbing as that is, I completely understand why these pople are going to all the trouble. Cuz I'm right down there with them.
On the internet, you have a lot more control over people's perceptions of you than you do in real life. You can project whatever image you want; you can even pretend the be the person you wish you were. I suppose its a little like dressing up in your Sunday clothes to go to church (or "your Friday clothes to go the bar" might be a better analogy). It's human nature, right? We all want to look our best so that others will approve of us, or at least have a favorable opinion of us when they 'behold our countenance' as they say in the Good Book.
Even so, the concept as a whole suddenly feels repugnant to me. It's all so vapid and pretentious, and I'm suddenly gripped by the urge to find the most unflattering picture of myself and use it for my profile pic on every social network I'm a part of (side note: I'm involved in like six at the moment -- supposedly that's a little on the low side).
So yeah, apparently I'm a lemming. And at the moment, I am in the throes of some kind irrational, philosophical rebellion. Which is weird because I'm not usually so anal.
Anyway, getting back to my nonexistant point -- in all honesty, my profile pic looks nothing me the real Ray of Friday, August 28th, at 9 AM. I wish the real Ray was that ruggedly handsome all the time, but the camera just happened to catch me at the right moment, from the right angle, on a 'good-hair-day'. I've gained fifteen pounds since them (mostly from quitting smoking), I've got a zit on forehead, and my hair is sticking up because I need a shower. Not only that, but my office is dark right now so the whole ghastly image is lit by the sickly blue glow from my computer moniter.
I should really make this my profile picture.
Even so, the concept as a whole suddenly feels repugnant to me. It's all so vapid and pretentious, and I'm suddenly gripped by the urge to find the most unflattering picture of myself and use it for my profile pic on every social network I'm a part of (side note: I'm involved in like six at the moment -- supposedly that's a little on the low side).
So yeah, apparently I'm a lemming. And at the moment, I am in the throes of some kind irrational, philosophical rebellion. Which is weird because I'm not usually so anal.
Anyway, getting back to my nonexistant point -- in all honesty, my profile pic looks nothing me the real Ray of Friday, August 28th, at 9 AM. I wish the real Ray was that ruggedly handsome all the time, but the camera just happened to catch me at the right moment, from the right angle, on a 'good-hair-day'. I've gained fifteen pounds since them (mostly from quitting smoking), I've got a zit on forehead, and my hair is sticking up because I need a shower. Not only that, but my office is dark right now so the whole ghastly image is lit by the sickly blue glow from my computer moniter.
I should really make this my profile picture.
But I won't. Because I'm a lemming.