cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by David Reber’s Hammer Photography
On the other side of the world (Adelaide, Australia) from where I usually hang out, it can be quite intimidating to be in a different country knowing very few people. Yet Twitter has changed that significantly for me where some of my best friends in the world are literally from around the world. I have connected with some amazing people that have become more than just digital colleagues; they have become great friends. Yet I noticed something weird at #CEGSA2012 last week.
No one was a cartoon. Many of them looked like that at the beginning of the week before I met them, but by the end, that had mostly changed.
The thing that I noticed the last time I was in Australia and again this time, was that there were so many cartoon or picture avatars representing people that I had no idea who the people were that I was talking to until I landed and actually met them face-to-face. I will have to admit that although I could tell there were some extremely intelligent people that I was talking to, the idea of talking back and forth to a cartoon character or a picture online was a struggle. It just didn’t feel real.
So when I finally did meet with these amazing people and discussed the human side of the Internet, I challenged them to think about changing their avatar to a picture of themselves. As the conference continued, cartoons changed to people and you could feel a growing camaraderie at the conference as the conversation on Twitter amplified the conversation in the face-to-face setting. It was extremely powerful.
Although it is much easier to say than do, I understand why some people are nervous to post a real picture of themselves on the Internet because of many differing situations. But if you are comfortable, you should. I often hear conversations about how the Internet is dehumanizing our world yet the fake avatars don’t help.
This great article on “Friending cats and following eggs“, has been one of my favourites on this topic:
On social networks, you ARE your photo.
Your image is important!
The photo you choose to represent you says a great deal about who you are as an individual. It is your personal brand.
I love meeting people in person at conferences or cocktail parties and then connecting with them on social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Sometimes I search people out and connect and other times they find me.
But when somebody has an image that is not an actual photo of them, I hesitate and usually do not connect.
So if you are involved in this crazy social media world, when you finally meet someone in person, do they recognize you? Do they connect with you? I have a strong belief that the best teachers are seen by their students as people who just happen to teach, not teachers who just happen to be people. I want to connect with people.
In the last week, I connected with an amazing educator who will now be a lifelong friend and colleague. Selena Woodward shared her own journey and discussed her change over the few days:
I wasn’t the only one either…. By the end of the CEGSA conference we had shouted out to a large number of new tweeps, eggs, logos and cartoons became human and the vibe of the conference changed …
I’m not suggesting, even for one minute, that members of CEGSA are not sociable people, however… the fact that we knew who we were talking to during the presentations meant that we could then continue those conversations over a cup of tea – face to face. Those virtual twitter connections became real-life connections. Now, that’s got to have an impact on the development of your support network. Hasn’t it?
It is not always easy to put yourself out there, but in my own experience, as you develop and build trust with your own network, it is easier to show both the successes and struggles.
I was reminded of this in Elisa Carlson’s powerful post about some of the struggles that she went through this year and how open and honest she was:
I will say right up front that this year was too difficult for me. I found it painful and intense. How’s that for honesty? I had so much to learn at times it was way too overwhelming. I had too many responsibilities to juggle and didn’t feel I could do anything well. My goal has always been to exceed expectations and to make a difference in the work that I do. On top of that my actual personal mission statement, “joyfully obeying the call” didn’t seem to be anchoring my world. I was losing most of the joy in the intensity of the workload and spent many days struggling to be grateful. I had a difficult time navigating all the relationships and since I wear my heart on my sleeve I would often feel personally hurt over matters that should not have seemed so significant. I have worked hard as a teacher, vice-principal and principal but never as hard as I have this past year to survive being a Director of Instruction. In some respects, it is but an act of grace that I have made it through the year.
I don’t think she would have been comfortable writing that as someone who was know as an “egg” to most. Knowing that there are genuine people out there past her own school district it creates a strength to share who we are.
Now I am not saying that all people that share a picture of themselves on the Internet are the people they represent themselves to be. That would be extremely naive.
It is just easier to connect and build trust with a person rather than an avatar.
Hi George – I've only ever been who I am in my avi & my tweet name is close to my real name . I am no longer anonymous anywhere . I want people I connect with to know that I'm Denyse Whelan who loves education & who connects through her blog & twitter. As a retired K-6 school principal I'm lucky to remain in touch with all matters education this way. Thanks for your words. They make me think a lot! Cheers
I have special interests in IT forensics and online security so I know the other side of the equation of what can happen. Therefore I choose to be a 'cat' in my profile images on the internet for Twitter, and when searching my name on facebook people will not see the real me unless I friend them. I can see the merits of creating your digital footprint and steering it but I also know the other side and what it can bring so choose to feel comfortable…
Well I have done a 360 on this now that someone called me a pretty kitty! I used a white cat. I have to agree with George now. It can be a bit challenging though because of fears of privacy issues etc Uploaded my pic hasn't appeared yet
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I get what you're saying and my preference is that people profile a real photo. I think for some, however, it is not only a matter of privacy, but a matter of not wanting to be judged on their physical appearance.
I can see that side of it for sure. Thanks for your comment
I think that is utter crap Leanne. What rubbish.
You must like your photo then Leanne must you going on that intelligent rationale.
Hey George, thanks for a thoughtful post. I recently changed my avatar from a caricature to a real pic of me from vacation this summer. I even got a few compliments from others on Twitter. Pictures personalize people; I find that I often click on an avatar, because I'm interested in putting a face with the thoughts within the tweet.
I'm going to share this post with the people who take my Twitter course. Hopefully, it will be a good influence.
I see your point but what about personal preference and creativity? Yes, I too want to see a real person but part of me enjoys seeing what other people like or how creative their avatars can be. Maybe it because I'm into gaming and avatars. I used my Halloween costumed face for the longest time as my twitter avatar and now I use a coole graphic with words making up my face. I thought it was cool.
Brilliant post George. Interesting story… I went mountain biking this morning about an hour from my house. My buddies and I pile out of our vehicles, start getting our gear together and 3 other trucks arrive. Those guys start piling out, we do the usual hey, how's it going, etc. I was walking around my vehicle and overheard one guys say "is that Brian Kuhn?". I circled around and say "yes, I am". I said "how'd you know?". He says,… I know you from twitter! He recognized my face because I use a real photo of myself for my online presence. He had messaged me some months ago about some awesome riding in Oregon and we connected for the first time, in real life. How cool is that hey?
Anyway, I support your view here 110%. People need to be themselves, represent themselves, and treat the online world as an extension of the real one. It's worth it.
Well said George… And on the flip side, I might add that it's good to 'wear' your online identity in real life/offline. Watch out, you'll be seeing a lot more clothing like my @datruss hat in the near future;)
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I understand what the author is saying, but I have been a bit leery about posting my picture for the world to see. I absolutely do NOT use my picture on Facebook. My reasoning for this is because if I am friends with people on Facebook, they already know what I look like. I do not want students attempting to "friend" me because that is NOT my use for Facebook. Facebook is totally about what I am doing outside of my job. On the other hand, Twitter is a tool that I will use for professional and educational purposes. I do understand why you should post a picture of yourself. I would have a problem sharing ideas with someone "hiding" behind an avatar. If I feel that someone begins the conversation by hiding his or her identity, I will wonder why and not be very anxious to begin a professional conversation.
Hmmmm……a bit ironic that my picture didn't show on my post after what I said. I will have to check that out.
I've always used a current photo. Greedy with the twitter name tho as I need those characters. But when one clicks through to my profile they get the full name. Ive found this to be super helpful at conferences and such—people come and say, "I know you from twitter (or facebook.)" @cathyjo
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A thoughtful post indeed! I have always had my dog, Ginger, as my profile picture – she is an extension of me and she humanizes me in my professional world. I signed on to Twitter 1202 days ago and remained an egg until your conference which ended yesterday. (I finally have a clearer sense of how Twitter can work for me.) Thank you for pushing me to extend my network to the larger arena because I have grown immensely as a professional; your passion for learning and what you have shared with me, is contagious. I value my private life (hence, the picture of Ginger), but I value my career as well because I love working with students and learning with them. @kdjung
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