POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Grinch on February 23, 2007, 09:38:30 am
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Ok,
I know I'm going to get jumped all over for this but folks enough is enough with the avatars.
Some people seem to be trying to out do each other with their avatars. There's quite a differences between provocative and tasteless. We're now seeing peoples pubic hair and peoples asses.
Could we have some kind of guidelines, preferably informal self policed ones?
This may be a board that's used to discuss a disease thats most commonly spread by sex but it's not a pickup board.
Before the typical soap opera star crew jumps in and starts screaming at me, I'm not asking for anything drastic, I'm saying ok we've started crossing the line, please take 2 steps back. In answer to the next question, no I do not want to turn off avatars because in some cases it gives me some in sight to the poster and sometimes it I just like them.
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Forget the pubic hair, I'd rather see the entire goods, and an ass is always a good thing, as long as it's a nice ass! The last thing we need is more policing of the forums. We've already lot the ability to modify posts over 2 days old (without the assistance of a moderator). For the most part, the avatars are so small that it's hard to see much detail anyway. Hell, I was going to use some more revealing pics of me on my bike for my avatar, but I'd hate to offend! ;)
David
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Grinch:
We (the moderators) do occassionally ask members to remove or change their avatars -- or photos posted in messages -- in the event that we receive complaints (yes, plural) from other members about them... and the avatars really do have to be pretty offensive for us to do this. Right now, we're not seeing any avatars in the Forums that are particularly offensive, nor have we received any specific complaints in recent days/weeks about specific avatars/photos.
There's really no accounting for taste and "crossing the line" is very subjective.
Tim Horn
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OK Grinch,
I might suggest that we try to keep any pubes out of the pictures, and on that note, also privates, front and back.
However, I also need to remind you that this is an international forum, and in that light, many countries around the world are not at all put off by any nudity, both frontal and backal. We here in the United States, are probably the most prudish of nations, outside of those of the Islamic bent.
So we are left with a quandry of judgement, and that I guess has to become personal. That leaves us right where we started, so I guess it is sort of like the circle of life, and I need to go back to CNN and see more and more photos of a scantily clad Anna Nichole Smith, or Paris Hilton's crotch.
Thanks for the opportunity to think about this one and discuss it.
Love.
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What is or who is the typical soap opera star crew? Put avatars you find offensive on ignore and report them to the moderators. In the end (no pun intended) they would make all the decisions regarding avatars anyway.
I need to get my eyes checked...I haven't even noticed.
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Hal,
I find your avatars of the naked dachshunds to be quite offensive. You have one in particular where I can see his penis. Please refrain from using this one please, especially when my little dachshund is in heat. She left a little blood spot behind the computer chair last time you used it...
My favorite avatar is Ihavehope's and all I want to know is who the hell she is... That girl is PHAT (plenty hips and thighs). ::)
Edited because I said refraim...lol.
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I've not seen anything offensive in avatars. What am I missing?
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I've not seen anything offensive in avatars. What am I missing?
Same thing that I'm missing, evidently.
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Because he changed it already ;)... thanks Hal ;).
Anyone know how I can get blood out of a white carpet?
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Mine was one of the offensive ones. I was notified and changed it accordingly.
I guess I should have waxed.
Brent
(Who trims but dislikes shaving)
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Peroxide and water. Works great to get blood out of lab coats.
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Because he changed it already ;)... thanks Hal ;).
Anyone know how I can get blood out of a white carpet?
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/blood
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Brent, get yourself a wax job. ;)
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I don't mind a bit of nudity.
I didn't notice anything overtly risque'.
What did I miss? :(
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Someone got upset about a Lucien Freud painting (not a photo even!) of someone's nude back. That was rather over the top... the outrage I mean. It was a painting and it was a torso.
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Hal,
I find your avatars of the naked dachshunds to be quite offensive. You have one in particular where I can see his penis. Please refrain from using this one please, especially when my little dachshund is in heat. She left a little blood spot behind the computer chair last time you used it...
My favorite avatar is Ihavehope's and all I want to know is who the hell she is... That girl is PHAT (plenty hips and thighs). ::)
Edited because I said refraim...lol.
You didn't find my naked wiener offensive Saturday night...bitch! ;D
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Don't ever go to an Art Museum or buy a National Geographic magazine if you are easily offended. Why do I love both? :D
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should i change mine? it may be something totally different thatn what someone might think it may be.
its sort of art, no? abstraction, representation of what it could be, but is not or could be.
i understand where you guys are coming from though. if more than 3 peopel ask me to change my avatar, i will....
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look at it this way, the round form is a partial pic of a moon from the mars.
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Touche.
And by that, i mean I want to touch...
Brent
(Who finds himself flustered by the sight of naked flesh)
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For anyone who thinks they may be offended by the avatars others have chosen to use, you don't have to see avatars at all.
Go into your profile and look at the column in the middle of the page. There you'll see a link to the page where you can change how the forums appear to you, called "Look and Layout Preferences". On that page you can check a box that says "Don't show users' avatars". Once you do this, be sure you click on the "Change Profile" button.
Couldn't be easier!
Ann
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Yes, and you can do this for signatures too -- they put this in bulletin board software to benefit dial-up users.
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I really haven't seen many avatar's here that have been offensive, some a little risque'...but hey, we all have to express ourselves in some way.
By the way Brent, I saw nothing wrong with yours at all. Though what you put up is good also. ;)
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I really haven't seen many avatar's here that have been offensive, some a little risque'...but hey, we all have to express ourselves in some way.
By the way Brent, I saw nothing wrong with yours at all. Though what you put up is good also. ;)
Thanks, doll. I guess that the world is abound with mysteries, and my abs/upper thighs shall return to the land of myth and folklore.
Brent
(Who has killer legs, too)
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This wasn't because my weasel is showing is it? ;) ::)
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You didn't find my naked wiener offensive Saturday night...bitch! ;D
Only because your 40" waist was hiding it hoe ;D.
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This wasn't because my weasel is showing is it? ;) ::)
Oh Lisa...that was great! (http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/hckytwngrl/icon_rofl.gif)
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Hi Ladies and Gentlemen
I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and anyone is entitled to put a picture of their choice on the avatar. If it becomes too offensive to many people then you can complain to the moderators and the moderators will make the decision to remove it or not.
I choose to place pictures of objects and people who are in the public eye and exhibitionist (no-nude one's althought very revealing) because this forum is serious enough that I feel I need to lighten up a little by changing my avatar with what "I" consider entertaining pictures. If people other than myself find it entertaining as well then even better. I personally have a good laugh with the avatar pics I post. What is vulgar to some may be artistic and sexy to others. I am sure straight people in this forum don't like to read the Top/Bottom thread or any gay related thread as much us gay men. If you can't relate to a thread or don't understand what the avatar picture is about then don't look at it, after all it is very small. lolz. I certainly don't like to read many threads here because I can't relate to them or don't find much sense into them so I simply ignore them. It's called tolerance.
AL
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Personally I find pix of teeth highly offensive. We need to work on all those smiling avatars next.
Brent
(Whose delicate sensibilities are easily aroused)
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OK... I need everyone's opinion. I want to be as offensive as possible.
What should my new avatar be?
Cock?
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e39/marsaudiacsolo/rooster_MED.jpg)
Or ass?
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e39/marsaudiacsolo/donkey.jpg)
Thanks folks, I'll be here all week.
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I haven't received any complaints about mine so I'll keep it! If I do receive one reproach, though, I may try to take that little white strap of fabric away from Saint Sebastain heavenly waist/body...!
Val
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I haven't received any complaints about mine so I'll keep it! If I do receive one reproach, though, I may try to take that little white strap of fabric away from Saint Sebastain heavenly waist/body...!
Val
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Please do!
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So, are we talking about offense to... family members who mightbe viewing the avatars? Kiddies? Significant others? Or just someone doesn't like what they see?
I am always amused when someone attempts to impose their sensibilities on the group. Best of luck with all that.
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Benj, can you combine the two?
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Jonathan,
Come on man cut me some slack ;)lol. You have obviously never seen a female Dachshund in heat. ;)
I would post pics of her, but realize that may be irresponsible of me, seeing that this is the internet and all :-*. ;)
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Benj, can you combine the two?
Yes.
Cock+ass= Cass.
As in Mama.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e39/marsaudiacsolo/Mama_Cass_320X240.jpg)
Are there children about?
Satan might enter their loins if they see this.
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My comment was simple, of course as usual it got taken to the extreme.
I specifically said pubes and ass shots were pushing the envelope.
I also explained I had a specific reason for not wanting to turn off avatars, nor do I want to ignore folks just because they choose to put a picture of their pubes out here.
I also asked that we as a community self police ourselves thus avoiding more hard fast rules.
The owner of the site responded and stated there was nothing offensive out there.
End of story.
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Lisa, I was looking, until I seen what was on your shoulder. :D
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My comment was simple, of course as usual it got taken to the extreme.
I specifically said pubes and ass shots were pushing the envelope.
I also explained I had a specific reason for not wanting to turn off avatars, nor do I want to ignore folks just because they choose to put a picture of their pubes out here.
I also asked that we as a community self police ourselves thus avoiding more hard fast rules.
The owner of the site responded and stated there was nothing offensive out there.
End of story.
And yet I was approached by the mods. Glad to oblige.
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JK, the topic is closed in this case and was done so quickly by the owner of the site.
In response to your statement about imposing my sensibilities on you, let me ask this.
Is it my right to make a simple request that includes the reasoning behind that request?
Is your stance that what I find objectionable is less important than what those who would post pictures of their dicks find objectionable?
I personally don't want to see your dick. Does that mean my desire to limit that without having to ignore you means less than the fact that you may want to show yours? If so why are your sensibilities more important than mine?
Lets take it to the extreme.
If I think it's perfectly OK to walk up and punch you in the mouth, While you think it's not ok to do so, why is your choice going to over ride my choice?
My answer is because as a community we decided that it's not OK. I asked that we as a community draw a line. Thats all. I also stated where I would personally draw the line. Instead of discussing that folks accused me of trying to force my morality on them.
This is not an argument for this specific case, nor is it a personal attack on anyone, it is a simple question I'm throwing out for debate.
*Edited for grammar (I try at least!)*
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If I think it's perfectly OK to walk up and punch you in the mouth, While you think it's not ok to do so, why is your choice going to over ride my choice?
Because he can duck,dodge, and weave to avoid it. Essentially ruining what you think is OK. :D
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We got your point, Grinch! I personally don't think anyone (besides Bucko?) was offended by what you say. And you're right: "Debate is good!"
What most people here like to do in cases like this, though, is to joke around. That's all! At least that is how I see and react to it!
Val
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P.S.I know you are a quite sensitive guy and understand that perfectly well. I used to be like that...
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Thing is, I do not equate having an avatar of questionable taste with punching someone in the mouth. I do however, long for the day when my list of problems has been whittled down to objecting to an avatar.
And for the record, no one actively posting on the forum has seen my penis, to the best of my knowledge.
Which reminds me: Where is Taij??
hehe.
*edited for terrible typing. These monkey paws.
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LOL. this is a funny thread.
egello, that is clearly an ass in your avatar. a nice ass, granted, but I see nothing abstract about that pic. i'm not saying you should change it at all.....just be real about it=)
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I do not equate having my abs and upper thighs pictured with exposing my penis to the forums. I actually have never posted any pic of my genitals here at AM. Nor have I ever considered mining the forums for hook-ups.
For that, I just go to Manhunt. I am big enough to know the difference.
And since when has seeing my thigh been the same as a punch in anyone's mouth? I've been told that my legs are among my finest features.
Brent
(Who finds the human body lovely, not painful like a punch in the mouth)
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Brent
(Who finds the human body lovely, not painful like a punch in the mouth)
Amen...opps, sorry if that was not politically correct ;)
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should i change mine? it may be something totally different thatn what someone might think it may be.
its sort of art, no? abstraction, representation of what it could be, but is not or could be.
i understand where you guys are coming from though. if more than 3 peopel ask me to change my avatar, i will....
Do those who ask you not to change it subtract from those do ask you to change it? Is it a gross 3 or a net 3 in terms of requests?
And Grinch, it IS your right to ask whatever you want. It's unrealistic for you to expect everybody (anybody) to necessarily agree. I agree with JK... when an avatar is all I have to worry about, I probably won't need the support of this forum. A punch in the face is not something that can be turned off, like Ann mentioned. I think Thunter's current avatar is perfectly hideous and can't wait for him to replace it with that hot face of his again, but who am I to complain?
David
(edited again 'cause I still make typos, damn dyslexia!)
(edited again 'cause Thunter has replaced his avatar ;) )
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Do those who ask you not to change it subract from those do ask you to change it? Is it a gross 3 or a net 3 in terms or requests?
David
Evidentally it's gross, period.
Brent
(Who finds eqello's avy marvy)
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Personally, I haven't found any avatars to be offensive. I liked Bucko's previous avatar, it showed just enough to leave you wanting more....What a tease... ;D Like Grinch, I think he said it, I get get a sense of the person by their avatars or a glimpse of their personality.
I can relate to what you are saying Grinch but I think the only thing you can do is what Ann suggested and shut them off.
Speaking of Risque wonders where Amosboy is?
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I am celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Colt Studio by changing my avatar daily with one of their classic models from the 70's and 80's
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No kidding, Philly! We hadn't noticed that! I mean, "we" the members who do not follow the "I Admit...whatever" thread. ::) Now that you mentioned it!
Val
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I think Grinch is catching a lot of heat for no reason. If you read his original post he did not use the term offensive. He merely stated that in his opinion some avatars might be passing the line between provocative and tasteless. And my interpretation of the entire post, is to be careful that things don't go farther than where they are now.
I also agree that we have much more important things to worry about, but how many other threads could you say that about.
And for the record, I don't have a problem with any of the avatars. Just thought that Grinch was taking unnecessary heat.
Woods
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Ok,
I know I'm going to get jumped all over for this but folks enough is enough with the avatars.
Some people seem to be trying to out do each other with their avatars. There's quite a differences between provocative and tasteless. We're now seeing peoples pubic hair and peoples asses.
Could we have some kind of guidelines, preferably informal self policed ones?
This may be a board that's used to discuss a disease thats most commonly spread by sex but it's not a pickup board.
Before the typical soap opera star crew jumps in and starts screaming at me, I'm not asking for anything drastic, I'm saying ok we've started crossing the line, please take 2 steps back. In answer to the next question, no I do not want to turn off avatars because in some cases it gives me some in sight to the poster and sometimes it I just like them.
Yeah... and while we're at it, why don't we just post our 95 theses to the door of the poz magazine HQ.
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Hey Grinchie, it nice to see that some traditions never change. It does a body good to know that you're only at your happiest when you've got something to whine about. :-*
Avatars eh? Matty the Damned has a collection of avvys that would put these intellectual lightweights and limp-wristed plague carriers to shame.
Be grateful he exercises restraint. ;D
MtD
(Who admires the Grinch for living up to his login name)
/edited to fix busted smileys/
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(Who admires the Grinch for living up to his login name)
Does that mean he will return the roast beast in the end?
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Does that mean he will return the roast beast in the end?
Well provided that we keep Grinchies tit in the wringer, I'm hopeful he will. We can't all be soft like Woods. :P
MtD
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Does that mean he will return the roast beast in the end?
We can't all be soft like Woods. :P
He does look like Cindy Lou Who... only cuter.
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Does that mean he will return the roast beast in the end?
Well provided that we keep Grinchies tit in the wringer, I'm hopeful he will. We can't all be soft like Woods. :P
MtD
Matty, that is the only thing about me soft.... ;)
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Matty, that is the only thing about me soft....
Well lose it. It's irritating and nobody admires you for it.
Grinchie's obviously being prissy and totally unreasonable about this and the rest of us are giving him the slapping he so sorely needs for being a wet-blanket supreme. You're undermining our efforts and I for one won't stand for it.
Get with the programme Woods. We have a proud tradition of the herd mentality in these forums. You're not witty enough to swim against the tide, duckie.
Ok? ;)
MtD
(Who will also overlook the tired old double-entendre)
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I haven't received any complaints about mine so I'll keep it! If I do receive one reproach, though, I may try to take that little white strap of fabric away from Saint Sebastain heavenly waist/body...!
Val
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I reproach thee.
EDIT: Shoulda known Auntie Doxie would have beaten me to it. Still catching up on the thread, but the loin cloth demanded immediate attention.
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We have a proud tradition of the herd mentality in these forums.
That pretty much sums it up Matty. If you and one or two others proclaimed my thoughts as pure wisdom I'd guess there's be a whole new flavor to the thread.
/G (who will have some truly tacky avatars as soon as he returns from his trip)
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Hurray for the legendary Matty the Damned!!!!!! One of my friends is an avid reader of The Spin Cycle.
rob
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Personally, my reaction to Bucko's last (and current) avatar is HUBBA HUBBA! :-*
Just saying.
Miss Melia The Minx :D
(who finds a nice bod very soothing for the soul...)
*edited to change an emoticon ;)
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Personally, my reaction to Bucko's last (and current) avatar is HUBBA HUBBA! :-*
Just saying.
Miss Melia The Minx :D
(who finds a nice bod very soothing for the soul...)
*edited to change an emoticon ;)
Some have a taste for the sunlime, others are trapped in the rediculous. It's nice to know who's who.
Brent
(Who has some catching up to do)
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OK, I guess I'll put my 2 cents in. Most of the Avatars don't bother me. Some do. Some I find on the fence of offensive. Perhaps I wouldn't feel that way as much if I didn't realize that we have children that visit this board.
Last night Lis' daughter was on. My children have read threads on here. Please don't come back and say, well then keep them off. They have a right to be here. In a family unit, it's not just the adults that have to live and deal with this virus. Just as with Lis, I don't hide this from my kids. We don't hit the minimize button in order to hide this website from them if they happen to come into the room.
We also have had at least one poster in the past (where is Jaser) that was dealing with HIV and started posting here when he was 14.
Schools do sometimes teach about HIV and hence kids sometimes google for HIV for a report and end up here.
With this CSI thing we've had a large influx of people visiting and from some of the posts it's clear many are 14 and 15 year olds.
For the adults that may have arrived via the CSI link I wonder what they think? This boards focus is supposed to be on HIV and dealing with it, but some of the Avatars...and threads....I wonder if they just serve to cement the stereotype that many people hold about people with HIV.
Somebody said something about if someone had a problem with the Avatars that they were just intolerant. I don't think this is so much an issue of tolerance as it is just one of plain old manners and decorum.
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Good points there Elizabeth. Myself, I don't have a problem with any of the avatars that are being used. I will let the moderators decide through the complaints filed as to which ones they may find offensive.
If I want to view some nudity, I've got hundred's of DVD's and VHS' tapes that I can put into a machine at any time, and view all the nudity, or offfensiveness :P that I want to, in the privacy of my home.
If this is one of the best forums on the web for HIV... lets try to keep it that way.
Ray
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Some have a taste for the sunlime, others are trapped in the rediculous. It's nice to know who's who.
You see......yet another person that can't have a discussion and present actual and coherent thoughts.
Lets translate please....
"I don't like what you said therefor you're ridiculous"
For the record I do have a taste for the sublime. Our definition of the word just differs.
I could care less if you want to watch underwater midget donkey porn, I'd like to have some mutually agreed upon level of respect for each others rights to not have to look at your damn pubes, or what ever the community as a whole determines is reasonable.
Instead of replying in a combative nature you could easily have made a clear and well thought out response to my post. Instead you choose snide remarks. Instead you'll wait until someone else decides what should be done and then complain about it.
Have some balls and stand up for what you believe in instead of trying to rely on passive aggressive attacks and hoping someone else will step in.
I'm not asking anyone to follow my particular code of morality, I'm asking that we have a reasonable amount of community agreed upon, self restraint so that everyone including the young teens that visit can enjoy themselves without having to turn off features and place people on ignore
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Yes.
Cock+ass= Cass.
As in Mama.
I like Benj's thinking!
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Somebody said something about if someone had a problem with the Avatars that they were just intolerant. I don't think this is so much an issue of tolerance as it is just one of plain old manners and decorum.
Hmmm, this comes from someone with one of the more offensive avatars I have ever seen on here. Pornographic, no, but quite insensitive on a board where most of the members are battling an incurable and, in the end, fatal disease. I find Brent's thighs less offensive than the thought of my things for sale when I'm dead.
Let the one of you without sin cast the first stone.
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I would not allow my children to read this board. Too much adults only language here. Even though I'm a big ole fairy if I had children they'd be raised strictly. They would be well behaved, able to differentiate all cutlery in a 6 course place setting and obviously well dressed. I swear I don't think I'd even allow them to be on the internet unsupervised until they were 15. It's just too scary out there what these kids do with webcams. I can't imagine growing up with such things. I surely would have been out of control and dead by now.
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Hmmm, this comes from someone with one of the more offensive avatars I have ever seen on here. Pornographic, no, but quite insensitive on a board where most of the members are battling an incurable and, in the end, fatal disease. I find Brent's thighs less offensive than the thought of my things for sale when I'm dead.
Let the one of you without sin cast the first stone.
Au contraire! I adore gallows humor.
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I would not allow my children to read this board. Too much adults only language here.
That is so sad, where are the children to go now? :'(
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Has anyone ever figured out WHERE the instructions are on this forum for the maximum restrictions on avatar image size and file size?
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Someone PLEASE think of the children.
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Terms of Use
3. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
The Service is available only to individuals who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law and are at least 18 years of age. If you are not at least 18 years of age, you may use the Service only if you are registered to use the Service by your parent or guardian and you are at least 14 years of age. Smart + Strong may refuse access to the Service to anyone, at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion.
I wouldn't call them children. Young adults? Yes.
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Since you don't have to be a member to view should there be a warning in place of the adult content?
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Since you don't have to be a member to view should there be a warning in place of the adult content?
WOuld that not only apply to graphics, but graphic language? Not just expletives, but also discussions about sex and sexuality?
I submit this would be a slippery slope, and would curtail not only creative expression, but open and honest, even frank and explicit conversation.
Somewhere, somehow, on this internet, we ought to be able to have adult conversations without undue concern about minors who might ir might not be lurking.
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Hmmm, this comes from someone with one of the more offensive avatars I have ever seen on here. Pornographic, no, but quite insensitive on a board where most of the members are battling an incurable and, in the end, fatal disease.
Well I, also am one of those battling this incurable and in the end, fatal disease. I also didn't see anything wrong with that sign. After all, that IS what antique stores do. Did see the note under the picture?
BUT, since you find it insensitive and offensive I'm happy to take in down in the interests of your comfort and sensibilities.
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I am sorry you did that, Elizabeth. I for one always appreciate gallows humor. Given the nature of this disease, one thing we CANT take too seriously is death. Send me the photo and I'll put it up as my own avatar :)
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JK
I absolutely agree about this being a slippery slope, thats why I suggested an informal self policed policy as opposed to some hard and fast rule set by "management" We do need to be able to have adult conversations but we also need some mutually agreed upon guidelines for reasonable behavior.
If I posted an avatar of a naked George Bush wearing a t-shirt proclaiming "I hate fags" people would be angry and rightfully so, but to extend some of the theories floating around here it should be my right to do so. If the arguments some have posted are considered valid, there is absolutely no difference between my saying that, seeing someones pubes is offensive and you saying my george bush's t-shirt is offensive. The difficult part is agreeing on where to draw the line. We CAN draw a line without management's intervention. The other choice is pushing the envelope as we have been doing until someone gets in trouble, and formal guidelines are publishied. Then we'll have post after post about leaving because of censorship.
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If you posted a pic of Bush in a I hate fags t-shirt I reckon most people would applaud you for your honesty.
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For the uninformed, please go back to REPLY 67.
He's too modest to admit it, but that is our own Creighton (Bosquo) doing her best Mama Cass impersonation.
Isn't she delicious?
robert
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I can easily imagine that being his sleepy shirt, the one he wears to bed. Or cabinet meetings.
Like I said, when avatars become the focus of the group formed to offer support and information regarding HIV, methinks it's a diversion. You don't like avatars? put that person on ignore. Or turn avatars off.
You don't like gallows humor? Ignore the offenders.
Asking the group to submit to a single person's sensibilities seems to be rather selfish, I think.
If someone does not like my words, they ought to place me on ignore. Same goes with photos and stuff.
No offense, but this seems to be a tempest in a teapot to me.
Don't we have better things to think about? Like maybe AIDS?
Billions of them.
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The entire point is I shouldn't be forced to turn off all avatars because 1 or 2 people act in a manner I find offensive.
Why are their rights more important than mine?
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you don't HAVE to turn off all avatars. Just put the person on ignore. WOuld be cool if the software allowed a person to ignore certain avatars yet see the others. But that seems rather complicated to me. And unnecessary.
And one can just as easily ask why your sensibilities have to be imposed on others, as well.
Like I said, don't we have more important things to do? LIke survive and support and stuff?
That having been said, I respectfully withdraw from this conversation.
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The point is Grinch, is you are the minority. What is offensive to you, may not be offensive to most others and you have been given ways to eliminate the problem if you don't care to view it. I don't like the idea of censorship in any fashion. Let me make my own decisions, what I view or read or don't want to. Should they shut down POZ and AidsMeds because someone doesn't like gays?
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If I posted an avatar of a naked George Bush wearing a t-shirt proclaiming "I hate fags" people would be angry and rightfully so,
He wouldn't be naked if he were wearing a T-shirt.
Brent
(Who knows his nudes from his porn)
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One man or woman's trash is another man or woman's treasure. That being said, all you really can do is report what you consider offensive to the moderators. In their infinite wisdom will the final ultimate decision be made. Take it or leave it.
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I like Benj's thinking!
Is that a chicken sandwich in your hand, or are you just happy to see me?
Brent
(Who understands that it was all a myth)
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I asked for a community wide line in the sand saying here's the difference between acceptable and unacceptable.
I said we have in my mind begun to cross the line. I asked the we as a whole agree where that line should be.
I promise you if we don't there will be a whole host of issues. The first of which is this will be classified as an adults only site. It will become mandatory that we have age verification records on each and every picture that is considered "lewd" This will mean a considerable expense for the operators of this site. Do we really want to head down that path?
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You forgot the lone gunman theory.
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Grinch, I've been here for apx 2 years and I don't know of maybe a handful avatars to be pulled. It's not an ongoing problem here. It's policed verywell by the moderators.
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You see......yet another person that can't have a discussion and present actual and coherent thoughts.
Lets translate please....
"I don't like what you said therefor you're ridiculous"
For the record I do have a taste for the sublime. Our definition of the word just differs.
I could care less if you want to watch underwater midget donkey porn, I'd like to have some mutually agreed upon level of respect for each others rights to not have to look at your damn pubes, or what ever the community as a whole determines is reasonable.
Instead of replying in a combative nature you could easily have made a clear and well thought out response to my post. Instead you choose snide remarks. Instead you'll wait until someone else decides what should be done and then complain about it.
Have some balls and stand up for what you believe in instead of trying to rely on passive aggressive attacks and hoping someone else will step in.
I'm not asking anyone to follow my particular code of morality, I'm asking that we have a reasonable amount of community agreed upon, self restraint so that everyone including the young teens that visit can enjoy themselves without having to turn off features and place people on ignore
I apologize for the typo(s). I should never attempt to post when having just returned from work with a muddled (but sober) head.
But if references to "underwater midget donkey porn" aren't "snide remarks", then I'm no longer sure what qualifies. And if I "Have some balls and stand up for what you believe in instead of trying to rely on passive aggressive attacks", then I'll be accused of flaming, which I am not. But that simple paragraph is pure flame bait in my eyes. If I were really that passive-aggressive, I'd report it to the moderators.
And, since we're in the business of picking other's posts to pieces, please let me remind the children reading that:
"I could care less..." is an idiotic use of the idiom. One could not care less. "I could care less" actually means that you care a great deal.
Brent
(Who is wide awake and coherent this morning)
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Avatars tell us a bit about the personality of it's poster. I don't mind the "skin and hair" avatars that some use but I'd sure prefer to see them placed in a larger size on the Porn thread. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite avatar's used by someone else (besides Nadine's hot one) is Johnoso's avatar of himself pulling down his pants and showing his white undies. It's naughty but nice...so why doesn't he place that large file on that other thread for some of us here? ;D
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I don't know about anyone else, but I find people who feel that it is appropriate to impose their own subjective moral standards on others to be highly offensive.
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work girl
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I would imagine that anyone visiting a website purposed for the discussion of subject matter like HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases should be able to handle most imagery and discussion of Man Things and Lady Places.
I fully trust the wisdom of Peter and the Mod Squad to keep us within the bounds before we had to resort to any drastic institutionalized measures. They've done a great job of doing so thus far.
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I still haven't the foggiest idea exactly which avatar we are discussing. I wish someone would post it so I can pass judgement.
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I don't know either, but I really want to see the big offending avatar of Elisabeth's (the auction one mentioned above). I also like gallows humor.
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I am sorry you did that, Elizabeth. I for one always appreciate gallows humor. Given the nature of this disease, one thing we CANT take too seriously is death. Send me the photo and I'll put it up as my own avatar :)
Sent. Enjoy.
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And if he doesn't post it as his avatar, would you send it to me? I could use a laugh.
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I could use a laugh.
I could use a new thread. Please start one.
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I could use a new thread. Please start one.
I'm kinda under the weather right now. I'm fresh out of ideas for anything at the moment. Threadbare, one might say. Unless you'd like to discuss the latest face for your avatar. Yummy.
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This is one of the longest, least worthwhile threads I've seen in a while. So of course I must throw in my 2 drachmas.
S + S and AM apparently have a policy and if you think someone's avatar is unacceptable ask the mods. If the answer isn't what you wanted get over it. If someone posts, for example, a nude pic it might conflict with the policy and the mods will ask the user to remove it. Obviously if an avatar has been in use for a few days (hours even) and no mod has requested its removal it must be OK.
There are many pics I don't like (and occasionally I've poked fun at some) but it's not as if the entire screen is filled with the objectionable pic. Nothing I've ever seen has really offended me, including the former avatar of one side of part of a male torso and leg. A growth of pubic hair is not offensive, it's natural. I hardly need add (but will anyway) a recent public complaint about an avatar that was obviously a painting by an artist (famous one at that). One person's trash is another's art. That's life.
If someone posts an inappropriate pic the mods will handle it and I can always ask if I object to something. We don't need any further guidelines.
Boo
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I'm kinda under the weather right now. I'm fresh out of ideas for anything at the moment. Threadbare, one might say. Unless you'd like to discuss the latest face for your avatar. Yummy.
It's Steve Kelso, the man with perfect chest hair. He owns a gay bar in South Jersey in real life, though he's retired from Colt. He is utter perfection.
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It's Steve Kelso, the man with perfect chest hair. He owns a gay bar in South Jersey in real life, though he's retired from Colt. He is utter perfection.
uh huh now there's something we can agree on.
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Community standards and protecting children versus the rights of people to express themselves.
We're gonna solve that here.
Yeah.
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It's Steve Kelso, the man with perfect chest hair. He owns a gay bar in South Jersey in real life, though he's retired from Colt. He is utter perfection.
where in south jersey? what town?
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where in south jersey? what town?
The Den Bar & Nightclub
700 Hamilton St, Somerset, NJ US
General Manager
http://www.dennightclub.com/
I went with a friend in the mid/late 90's once looking for Steve, all dressed in leather, and was not working. I should have stated "central Jersey" not south though it seemed like we drove much longer at the time than what I see on google maps.
Anyway, I can sleep better at night knowing Steve's chest hair is only an hour away as the crow flies.
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It's Steve Kelso, the man with perfect chest hair.
Philly,
I always thought that all chest hair was perfection. At least mine is....... :-*
Love.
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Has anyone ever figured out WHERE the instructions are on this forum for the maximum restrictions on avatar image size and file size?
I haven't figured out WHERE the instructions are, but I have figured out that the image size mustn't be bigger than 100 px if you want to see the animations. Make them 101 px, and they're static as a dead dawg.
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Hey David,
Strip Away ! :P .....lol...
Just Kiddding ? mmm.... Hell no Im not kidding !
Garret
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Hey David,
Strip Away ! :P .....lol...
Just Kiddding ? mmm.... Hell no Im not kidding !
Garret
It would be nice to have a 'members only section' ... kind of like some of the Yahoo groups do. The ones I'm referring to, in particular, have posts that can be viewed by the public and a section of photos that are 'members only'. I know that this forum is for the greater good of everybody, member or not, but it would be nice to have a place to post pictures from AMGs, small gatherings, and other semi-personal photos. I'm not sure if the forum software supports member only sections and I'm also sure that there would be a bunch of whining and complaining about why it would be a bad idea. It just seems like it would alleviate a lot of the privacy issues (started by the CSI thing) and some of the decency issues (started with this thread). Anyway, it's just a thought.
David
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LPSG.org has something similar.
Brent
(Who gets around)