Bill Roberts Get an Avatar!

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[quote]MangoMan305 wrote:
In conclusion, I was never trying to be funny as you implied.

I just respectfully do not like your avatar. It bothers me for some reason.

P.S I still have respect for you and you’re contributions to this forum.[/quote]

For some reason, a bantering reply seems to have been taken as being an attack. I really don’t know why, but perhaps the problem is that you misinterpreted my statement and thought that “the above joke” referred to your post and called it horrible?

No: it referred to my preceding post. I wasn’t asking Alpha F what she thought about your post.

Nowhere did I imply there was anything funny about your post.

Thanks for the kind words!

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[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:

[quote]MangoMan305 wrote:
In conclusion, I was never trying to be funny as you implied.

I just respectfully do not like your avatar. It bothers me for some reason.

P.S I still have respect for you and you’re contributions to this forum.[/quote]

For some reason, a bantering reply seems to have been taken as being an attack. I really don’t know why, but perhaps the problem is that you misinterpreted my statement and thought that “the above joke” referred to your post and called it horrible?

No: it referred to my preceding post. I wasn’t asking Alpha F what she thought about your post.

Nowhere did I imply there was anything funny about your post.

Thanks for the kind words![/quote]

That explains everything and now I feel like an ass

And your welcome

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And on being bothered by it somehow:

Perhaps having a little background on PDQ Bach would help.

There’s an image of intellectualism attached to classical music, and especially to classical composers. They are thought to be brilliant: geniuses of a high order.

PDQ Bach, however, is a classical composer whom you can tell at a glance is an idiot.

That’s funny.

(But there we are again with the problem of explaining humor.)

Anyway, perhaps seeing that it’s humor will make it not bothering to you.

It is true that these days PDQ Bach is not as well-known as was the case say 20-30 years ago so to most, it is probably just a weird pic.

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Don’t worry about it and don’t feel like an ass: no problem! :slight_smile:

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He’s a fictional parody of musical composers, that’s what I got off of his wikipedia article.

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Bill I digress. The image that you have chosen to represent your avatar is of very poor choice by yourself. Even to a man of your intellect and sense of humor it just spells wrong all over it. The problem is that it lacks any context although scores marks for originality.

By context I mean that its just plain, pale and boring and symbolizes both nihilism and stupidity, all of which are a antithesis of you; at least in my opinion. IT tries to hard, emphasizing your political/social ideologies; mocking elitism of which you are ironically classified in by some members like the OP.

For a good example take my avatar. Dollar bills. My screen name is gettnitdone, i get it done so have a link to cash. I’m also a business student. Money is also something everyone can relate to. Chicks with big tits are what everyone can relate to. Bodybuilders are what everyone can relate to. That fat gentleman however is NOT what anyone can relate to.

Do yourself (and us) a favor and replace that horrid picture with something along the lines of your favorite pornstar posing sensually (clothed ofcourse- minimally).

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I went right for the obvious one (at least to me)

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Bill I like your avatar, it brings a level of class and sophistication to a land sophomoric fart jokes and titties, not that there is anything wrong with titties.

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Just use a pic of Arnold and call it a day.

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Chemistry geek.

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Steely not going to lie I when I saw this thread I thinking chemistry set or some kind of carbon ring lol.

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If all else fails, either you [Bill Roberts] or CC could use the “No Image Provided” pic that the site uses when a pic isn’t showing up at the moment.

It’d be good in an ironic sense.

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Here bill, use this.

V

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[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
No: for a worst avatar, I could have used this.[/quote]

Win.

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[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
I was wondering what you’d think of the PDQ Bach one…
[/quote]

“No”

That was my first thought.

“Quirky and intelligent”

Was my second thought.

The intellectual brain in me saw: idiosyncratic and very clever of Bill Roberts.
The perceptual artist in me saw: a visual rejection.

I understood that which you have told us about yourself in the “I don’t usually like art but…” thread, namely that you cannot “see” things visually. And whilst, as a rational woman, I can appreciate the significance of the present choice, and may I say you did surprise me there so that is impressive and says something good about yourself.
The visual woman had a strong reaction to the picture - again impressive on two counts since I am not easily impressed.

As a highly visual person, my mind’s eye has “seen” you over the year as the picture of masculinity.
I cannot define masculinity but I know it when I see it.
When I look at the screen name Bill Roberts on these forums I see masculinity.

The image you chose as you avatar is in direct opposition to masculinity: on that first instance, my visceral, gut reaction was simply: No.

Additionally, I considered all the fellow members of T-Nation that I have observed and a lot of people really really like you. This emotional fondness for the generous contributions you have given creates a mental image for us.
By choosing an image that goes in direct contrast to how we hold you, it does arouse strong reactions; in a way we are being selfish by wanting you to chose something that reflects how we feel about you.
Many here feel honored to have you. Visually, that avatar denies that from us:
Speaking as a highly visual person who appreciates all that you bring to our table,
that avatar hurt my eyes.

The visual “hurt” is coming from seeing you as completely different from “an old boring fart.”
Which is how that picture comes across VISUALLY at first glance.

The picture oozes decadence visually.
Bill Roberts in a state of decline and decay.
That is what I think it could say visually at first.

It is funny, from an intellectual point of view and I liked the fact you had the balls to do it - again steaks of masculinity.
So hats off to that.

However, people here are fond of you and will react emotionally also.
You have shared with us the riches of your mind, and the generosity of our heart.
Decadence is not a suit we “see” you in.

Hats back on because you didn’t think of our “emotional eyes” :wink:

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I didn’t want to say anything directly because I did not wan to influence your choice but wanted to add to your preferences, hence the Kirk pictures.

The additional pictures I posted were just my way of saying visually, all the different perspectives I ‘see’ you as, and were not meant as avatar suggestions.

I answer directly above because you inquired and I think you should do as you will.

I still don’t have an image I would feel strongly enough to post as a suggestion and remain curious as to what image would speak to me in that way.

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I agree on the drawbacks of the current avatar. I don’t think that the soused PDQ Bach portrait is suitable for long-term. If nothing else it doesn’t really give the best image for Biotest. And it is probably too much of an in-joke.

I’ll probably switch to the Valkyrie pic after a few days.

I find it quite difficult to come up with something that I think is representative of me in any way. The Valkyrie pic wouldn’t be, but at least it would look good on the page and would be distinctive.

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So I see C_C has one now too. It does help to identify posts. When I read at work I can’t see avatars so I don’t get to be so lazy.

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[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
I agree on the drawbacks of the current avatar. I don’t think that the soused PDQ Bach portrait is suitable for long-term. If nothing else it doesn’t really give the best image for Biotest. And it is probably too much of an in-joke.[/quote]
To be brutally honest Biotest didn’t even cross my mind. It was nice to see the man behind the name choosing something for himself as an expression of his self, not the Biotest self.

I look at the avatar now and it really makes me laugh!!
…so after the strong revolt, I am able to see it for what it is and love it for that reason alone. Never thought you could pull such a strong in-joke. Seriously.
You are a hardcore intellectual and that couldn’t be more in line for a scientist that represents Biotest, so they should feel honored by you.

I agree completely, even I can’t and I am good at finding images that represent a person!
That is another good point: The Valkyrie would be distinctive. No one has chosen air force as a representation.
( no wonder, as there are no good downloadable pictures ).

With the visual mind, which I know you don’t use, there is free association instead off the linear thinking of the logical mind. When I look at the current avatar I freely associate you with ‘thefederalist’, which is another member currently using the same style avatar. THEN, the logical brain steps in and uses the logic of why you chose that and what it means.

The name Bill Roberts is quite distinctive. Ideally, you would have something made for you - not cartoon as I don’t think it is ‘you’. But something that symbolizes the impact of MAG-10 and everything else you are loved for.

I have a lot on my plate at the moment and serially short for time but will try to help you with the visual image as I can - you grace us with so much of your time and help and it is never short of an enthusing education.

I love that Valkyrie Plane and did not know about it!

You should watch The Right Stuff, it is my favourite movie of ALL TIME!

“Sir, over there…is that a man?”

Hell, yes! That is The Man!

Chuck Norris looked up to Chuck Yeager.

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[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
Perhaps having a little background on PDQ Bach would help.

There’s an image of intellectualism attached to classical music, and especially to classical composers. They are thought to be brilliant: geniuses of a high order.

PDQ Bach, however, is a classical composer whom you can tell at a glance is an idiot.

That’s funny.
[/quote]

Thanks Bill for introducing PDQ and creating curiosity as to who you were referring to. But am I missing a post, what’s the link between you and this character? Personality? Cheers.