Do "real men" need to hide behind an avatar when they are asking, or answering questions in the 'G&WS' forum?

Question

How many times have you read an inappropriate comment, sexist answer, or misogynistic question posted by a 'male' who is not courageous enough to identify himself and his political stance on certain issues, and wondered, " What sort of man is he"? Do you think the insulation and anonymity afforded by 'avatars' brings out the coward in some men? If so would you still respect their 'right' to pass judgement upon others?

Answer 1

Everyone on this forum has an avatar, wee-males like yourself included.  Is this "question" of yours the direct result of distilled beverages?  Or do you take a perverse delight in making an *** of yourself?

Answer 2

What is that thing you have above your name?  An AVATAR?

Answer 3

It’s not just men who are to blame; but you are right. There are too many people on here who think that because it is the Internet you don’t have to be considerate to other people’s opinions

This place does seem to be lacking in common courtesy; but I just ride it out. I m sure the people who are saying the mean things to others just think of it as a joke. I try and be optimistic in the basic kindness inside of humanity; “real people” don’t need to hide behind anything. Real people should discuss openly about their qualms with others and sort their issues out together. Unfortunately we have people fuelling each other’s fires instead of talking calmly together.

Answer 4

Same goes for you old lady. By your logic I shouldn't respect your right to pass judgment. However, I have no avatar so I can state my opions and pass "judgment" on others freely!!!

Answer 5

I can understand why people don't want to post their picture online..nothing to do with cowardice.

Hey, if they're letting out their steam on here..it's better to do it here than offline. I don't think any of us want to deal with a co-worker or friend talking like these posters.

Answer 6

Yes, I think cowards hide behind avatars.  The worst is when they get a male model to make us think that some hot guy really thinks that way.  Hot guys have good experiences with women and do not have the bizarre hatred of women exhibited by those men on this forum.

Answer 7

Yeah yeah. Tell that to Neil Lyndon http://www.ukmm.org.uk/issues/suppressio...

He spoke out openly (and respectfully) and the feminists went at him like attack dogs.

Tell it to the researchers who found that domestic violence comes as often from women as men, and had all sorts of threats and harrassment, including bomb threats to stop them speaking publicly (p.801 here http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/lawrevie...

And tell it to Erin Pizzey - pioneer of shelters for battered women in the UK - who suffered a “campaign of harassment and violence” that included the killing of her pet dog when she spoke about violence by women against men http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,1975...

Is any of this getting through yet?

Answer 8

Do you mean a false avatar? I'm not sure I get exactly what you are asking Ashleigh ... "please explain" :-)

Cheers :-)

Answer 9

I don't think that the avatar thing is particularly related to this issue alone. There must be quite a lot of people who feel safer saying certain things they think from behind an avatar, this may be because they know what they are saying is insulting or controversial, but that doesn't invalidate what they have to say, if it's something stupid and bigoted then their words invalidate themselves. I wouldn't say that anyone has the right to pass-judgement, but you have to say that everyone including these guys your on about, have the right to express their opinion from behind their avatar, otherwise the whole premise and working of Y/A, this site, would collapse, as people have all sorts of reasons for having an avatar, not least that they simply don't want to appear vein by useing a picture of themselves :)

Answer 10

I don't understand you; besides in my case I am a woman.  Ask away; becareful I just might answer.

Answer 11

What are you talking about? How is being opinionated about certain issues related to cowardice? And what does having an avatar have to do with it?

I don't post my pic online,  because I'm prudent. Stupid people post personal information online.

Answer 12

Look, I'm having enough trouble trying to import my avatar to Y!A, and it's in other forums. If that was the case, yeah, you'd see my pic. You'd probably be frightened or surprised though.