Should Yahoo take away the right to individual Avatars?

Question

I see nothing wrong with cute avatars like Alec, Lt. Dan, Chairman LMAO or the ones with your own picture (shows you are smarter than I am since I don't know how it's done). BUTTTTTTTT there needs to be something done about the pornography on here. Some people are just down right sick and cannot get enough thrills out of shocking people with their "artful" (NOT) expressions.

Answer 1

If “cleaning up Answers” is the goal, removing the custom avatar option wouldn’t work. People would still be free to post filthy verbal content, and in many ways that’s worse since the porno pics really are quite tiny anyhow and there’s no character limit on an answer. Obviously hiring a staff of thousands and implementing a cinema-style rating system for each question and answer before it’s posted isn’t going to happen.

I’ve never used a custom avatar, but I appreciate the insight they provide in regards to a user’s personality. I’m not the sort to judge based solely on appearances, but the way a person chooses to present themselves hints at their character: this person is a Simpsons fan, chances are he’s funny… this person seeks attention by dropping her pants, she likely has little else to offer… this person has a literary mind, he probably provides keen insight… this person’s only goal is to shock and offend, avoid at all costs, and so on. The more individuality is stifled, the less we can tell who’s who and I’m a big fan of diversity. I won’t pretend to understand someone’s need to behave in an obscene fashion—visual or verbal—but there’s something to be said for being able to spot a creep immediately so you can avoid them. I think they’re far less dangerous than the creeps who are pretending to be good guys.

If I could snap my fingers and make them disappear (or get a life), I would. But I wouldn’t sacrifice the richness and creativity displayed by the good guys in an un-winnable battle against evil.

I still think the best defense is to ignore them entirely. Please don’t feed the trolls.

Answer 2

I agree 100% especially with the younger kids on here (garbage in...garbage out). I'm looking at some of these answers and if it was their 7 yr old or 9 yr old (computer literate..more so than adults) they might have a different opinion. I think the perp's should be banned for life from YA and yahoo mail, using their IP addresses.....it might make them think twice before doing something so immature. We live in a whacked out world, that puts stupidity first with technicalities and censorship and freedom of expression, instead of protecting the innocent from the grunge. The grunge is widely accepted now..which is unfortunate. The politically correct and fence sitters who make these outrageous laws should be pierced by the metal stakes they are sitting on. Let the whacked get whacked....a few less on the planet would make this a much better place to live. May God have mercy on their souls.

Blessings to u,

Daniel
><>

Answer 3

I would hate to see all individual avatars removed, some of them are so creative.
If I wanted to look at pictures of somebody's personal parts there are a multitude of places where I can CHOOSE to do so. Having it just appear on my computer is just wrong on so many levels.

I am all for "freedom of expression" , but things are getting ridiculous. Like freedom of speech, there are responsibilities along with the rights. As they say, you can't yell "Fire" in a crowded theater just because you want to. You shouldn't be allowed to invade my personal space , in my home, with your smutty pictures just because you can.

Maybe Yahoo needs to actually have a live person looking at this stuff and if it's sexual in nature, just remove it. No broad definitions of "offensive material", just if it is obviously sexual or penises and vaginas, it has no place here.
Repeat offenders to be forever barred from Yahoo and Y/A, based on their IP address.

Answer 4

I believe this site should be for adults only...no minors! The avatars should be of personal preference. The pics are too small on this site to really see anything. Adults should have the power of choice of mature content or not. I'm here to answer questions and not stare at avatars.

Answer 5

Yahoo!'s TOS and community guidelines are sometimes abused, true. But I refuse to change my av because anyone might take issue with it for whatever reason(s). On that note, I wish that more people used something besides those generic Y! avs. Heck, I'd rather see Skinhead Charlie sporting a friggin' Klan hood than to see his insipid fake chrome dome next to his disgusting questions.

Answer 6

amen... you have my voting on this one... but i think that there should be a filter that would distinguish obscene avatars from nice ones... i don't know if it's possible...!

i get so irritated with those ignorants posting obscene avatars thinking they're cool... my Y!A time is quality time for me and i don't want to be careful all the time trying not to let my little niece or someone else these ugly avatars... lol

thanx

Answer 7

Sorry, but this is not Sesame Street nor do I believe in most forms of censorship. Granted I don't like things that promote hate, but porn is all part of freedom of expression. Long live individuality.

Besides, it's not everyday you get to see such playful hotdogs!

Answer 8

The part that gets me is that even if I thumbs-down them,a smaller version of the picture still stays there! If i wanted to see someone's crotch I'd ask my boyfriend! At least we should be able to make their pic go away if we block them or thumbs down them huh??

Answer 9

I would miss my dear lil' Dalek, but if it keeps these pathetic virtual "flashers" from doing their thing, it might be worth it. You can react more quickly in not reading some filthy verbage, but seeing someone's gonads is less avoidable, IMO.

Answer 10

It continually amazes me what the Yahoo Yamsters allow, and what they censor. I haven't been able to figure out their formula. I agree, they should do something.