Why so many pictures? by bejeweled

TALK STORY

Why so many pictures?

POSTED BY: BEJEWELED
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 4, 2007 07:20
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 5397
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Sunday, March 11, 2007 10:25 PM

I've been lurking for ages now. Fan from the beginning. I've seen a lot of changes in this site over the years. Those changes are one of the reasons why I finally registered.

It seems every time I stop by to read the threads, I have to sift through 20 picture threads before I get to any content. Are you guys that arrogant and needy as to need pretty faces, toes, feet, hands, pets...does it ever end?

Why are you even doing this? Isn't one picture enough? Some of you have 50 self portraits on this forum. I can understand the occasional post in the BSR, you may have gotten a pic with a cast member or finished a costume. Why 15 pictures on you sitting on your bed? I don't get it. As a new member, but long-time lurker, I'd like to suggest we move these to their own board or something. They're cluttering up the boards.

I can't even imagine what folks who have slow connections must be going through. Poor people. I can't be the only person annoyed by this? Can I?

I probably shouldn't make my first post a rant, but it's been building inside me. Sorry. I can be very nice most times.

======
*seem to recall story signatures by ZOID*

More amazing than the time Michael Jackson came over to your house to use the bathroom.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 10:39 PM

OUTTOTHEBLACK

I'm also basically a lurker, but I have to say that I really enjoy the picture threads. And the party threads, the song threads, the water cooler threads, the forsaken threads, the loafer's nook threads, the hidey-tower threads, the league of psychic nutcases, and the bar and grill. People are obviously having fun and I really have a hard time taking issue with that. Plus, the 'Talk Story' forum is, technically, an 'anything goes' forum within the context of the Firefly board. There's different forums for different things, and the reason for that is so people can find what they're looking for. Not everyone uses it that way, and General Discussions does get weighed down a bit with random things, but I don't mind that either. I suggest you work on your sifting techniques if you really can't find what interests you. And if your connection struggles with the picture threads, don't click on them.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 10:42 PM

SOLAN

Not much I can think of.off the top of my head. But maybe a few thoughts that might help in this matter.

No matter why the picture threads started out - but by now they are, in a way, a form of tradition. Like the hugs and kisses you get when family visits or something like that.

Then there is, I think, a limit to how many replies you can have on one post - thus the starting new ones over and over again. Some of the folks who have posted in the older ones might post in the new ones as well to help the newbies around get past some initial shyness - which in turn might be a reason for the various self-portraits, seeing as those are often quite hilarious for one or the other reason.

In a way it's patting eachother on the shoulder and telling eachother that you aren't as bad as life sometimes would make you think you are. I can't see any harm in that except for acknowleding that people with lesser bandwith can be really annoyed by such things (which I do understand).

What I haven't seen thus far is someone going "Hey, I look so much better than XY". So yeah, it might be a bit narcistic to post pictures of yourself over and over again. But at least it's not done through any malevolent behaviour as such.

*cough* I hope that helped a bit.

Every fear has a history.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:04 PM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Yeah, as the person who starts most of those threads and one who posts a lot of keep them afloat, I don't understand why you would take issue with them. The threads were started so we could see who we were talking to. We're a community, and a lot of us have been talking with people here for a year, two years, longer. It helps make people 'real' to see what they look like.
And, as Solan pointed out, it helps break the ice and encourage new people to post when there are already pictures. It also helps keep the threads in sight if people are posting on them (despite what you might think, they will and have started independently because people are curious, and this just gives a handy place to go, so it helps to keep them visible so people know where to find what they're looking for) So, rather than post the same picture over and over and over and over and over, those of us who would frequent the picture threads opted to become amateur photographers and try to come up with new things. I got fascinated with photography in general, and that's why I started a couple additional threads for tattoos, hands and feet, and a new pet picture thread once the old one got too long to load within ten minutes. It became, as Solan also said, a tradition. Just like the other 'hanging around' threads (listed by OTTB up there) it's a thread that took off and is a fun place to be and can be a way to 'see' some fellow Browncoats. Sorry that bothers you so much.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:13 PM

RIVERDANCER

Why not?

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:15 PM

AVERYFINECOMPANION

I just have to say that calling people "arrogant" and "needy" will get you no where fast on here.

It is simple computer logic, a thread with many pictures will load a bit slow. The main difference is that to most, it is well worth the wait.

Like many others have said and will say, if you don't want to see the pictures then don't click on a picture thread.

You were right by the way, it wasn't a very good idea to rant on your first post. You've made a very bad first impression on me.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
"Am I a lion?"

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:16 PM

SOLAN

Not that bad. I've seen worse. Probably just a bad day. And after all we're talking fellow browncoats here, so cut them some slack. ;)

Every fear has a history.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:24 PM

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Well, I haven't posted any pictures of myself yet (although I'll probably have to or JonnyQuest just WON'T stop bugging me) but I read through them pretty frequently. It's good to be able to put faces to the names, and since a lot of people in the social threads mention pets and family members, it's kinda nice to see pics of them too.

I'm not for a second saying everyone likes the picture threads. If it bugs you then chances are it bugs at least a dozen other people. That being said... if they bug you that much, why do you read them? It's not like it doesn't say "Picture Thread!" very, very clearly in the thread subject! And in the other social threads there are fewer images of people and more images of emoticons, smilies and whatever silly images we glean from the net.

Now that that's over with - welcome to the board!

Yeah, I know, you've lurked here for ages, but lurkers can't get welcomed by name, so welcome Bejeweled! Very good to meet you, etc etc, hope this won't be your last post. I have a feeling it won't. Once you delurk there is no going back

*hands Bejeweled welcoming strawberries and mudders milk*

Banners, avatars and other fun stuff at www.desktophippie.com

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Monday, March 12, 2007 12:41 AM

MAZAEN

Because we're all so damn pretty.

I like the fan-fiction and caption threads the most of all the threads.

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Monday, March 12, 2007 1:28 AM

GLADIATOR32

At the risk of repeating what everyone above me's already said, I don't see why it's a problem. If you don't like the picture threads, no one's forcing you to view them. Personally, I'm not a massive fan of all those political threads, so I don't view 'em. And why post so many pics?? Well it's a laugh, really. I mean, it lets folks you talk to know what you actually look like (which I find helps you become closer to them), and it's a chance to mess around with your camera and take some pics. You get to share shiny swag or treasured objects with your friends. Speaking personally, and I'm sure it's the same for all the other pic posters, there's no beauty contests going on or anything, no "look at me I'm wonderful" attitudes. Just a bunch of people sharing photos with each other, much like you would at home over a cup of tea. And I see no harm in that.

-------------------------------

www.myspace.com/32dan32

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Monday, March 12, 2007 1:44 AM

GRIZWALD

Quote:
Originally posted by bejeweled:
I've been lurking for ages now.... I probably shouldn't make my first post a rant....

BINGO. Every online community has a personality developed over time. If you don't like the culture at one, you find another that you can approve of, and you join it. You don't join a community you disapprove of just so's you can make it over the way you want it to be. It won't work. It's rude, but probably more important, it is ineffective and a gigantic waste of your precious time.

___________________________________________________
High Priestess of Pork and Ag-Related Activities of the MYTHICAL LAND OF IOWA

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:07 AM

CAUSAL

Quote:
Originally posted by bejeweled:
Are you guys that arrogant and needy as to need pretty faces, toes, feet, hands, pets...does it ever end?

Yes, ladies and germs, just the sort of introduction that will make for swift acceptance and integration into a new community!

Quote:
I probably shouldn't make my first post a rant...

So close to prudence, and yet....

Oh, yeah: ditto what Grizwald said.

________________________________________________________________________
Grand High Poobah of the Mythical Land of Iowa, and Keeper of State Secrets

Captain, FFF.net Grammar Police

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:38 AM

ROXYFREEFALL

Woman, you are completely off your nut.

Wow, bejeweled, not a good way for an introduction. I really hope this is just a bad day on your part as Solan said and I'm willing to give you that benefit of the doubt. But here is my 2 cents on the matter...

I find it very lovely that my fellow Browncoats are willing to share a piece of themselves. It's nice that we all talk 'bout things in our lives all the time and then we put pics of it to show how much we care for it, whether it be our pets, something we own, our precious loved ones. Makes me smile when someone mentions how much they love their children then puts up a pic. As far as putting up pics of ourselves, I really like to see who I'm talking to. In some cases I may never get to meet the Browncoat in question I would love to just look at their beautiful, smiling face and know I know just that much more 'bout them. In other cases I might be meeting some Browncoats at an upcoming event (yay for Dragon Con!) or perhaps visiting them and it's nice that I can be able to possibly pick them out in a crowd and wave at them or run up and give them a big hug. I myself am a photographer and really like taking pics and sharing them. It's just one of my many passions. You don't like this opinion, ignore it. You don't like the pic threads, ignore them. They are clearly marked and you obviously know which ones they are. I really hope you come to like the rest of this site for we really do love all our fellow Browncoats. Please make yourself at home, just don't put us down for something the rest of us enjoy.

*gets off soap box*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Only Spartan women give birth to real men."

http://www.myspace.com/roxy_freefall

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:45 AM

BIGDAMNNOBODY

If it was the picture threads that broke the board most recently than I say perhaps we could use a few less pictures. If it was not, than post away.

Posting to stir stuff up.

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:54 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Quote:
Originally posted by BigDamnNobody:
If it was the picture threads that broke the board most recently than I say perhaps we could use a few less pictures. If it was not, than post away.

It wasn't. The domain name expired, only it didn't, only they thought it had. There's a thread from Haken about the mixup here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=5&t=27499

Said it before, saying it again: Pictures hosted elsewhere do not put a strain on the bandwidth for this site. It might put a strain on your connection, but it doesn't put a strain on this site itself, because the images are not being hosted here. If the issue with site crashes is a bandwidth issue, I'm sure the first thing to be discontinued would be the Blue Sun Room, since those are images actually hosted here.

And I put in my two cents up a ways, but ditto what Avery, G32, Roxy, Grizwald, and everyone else said. And way to make an impression.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

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Monday, March 12, 2007 5:01 AM

TINADOLL

Why so many pictures? Um. I don't know the answer to that. It doesn't bother me. I'm just a newbie- But i like to post in those threads because they are constantly bumped,i can meet fellow members,and I can trade pics. As for the "watercooler" and the "bar" threads- well i don't know anyone here that much yet so i wanna build up a rep.
I also enjoy the Blue Sun Room content alot. People have talent here.

If you don't like the picture threads- Don't click on em. And if you require "content" then bump an old thread or start a new one.

So whats wrong with a little Jaylee?

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Monday, March 12, 2007 5:18 AM

TRISTAN

Well, you were right about ranting on your first post. Wrong way to make a good impression. As Grizwald pretty much nailed it, all I can say is "ditto" to that post.

I am neither needy nor arrogant. As PR pointed out, it is a good way to "see" who is here. As for the multiple photos, I am one of those guilty parties. Until these threads, I was not a big fan of cameras....now, I have a field day. It's nice to take photos and have people comment on them...I will agree to that part. Encouragement breeds repetition. Being comfortable enough to post my face and some of the silly antics I get into hopefully shows new people to the site that we are indeed a family and not afraid to be seen.
And no, it is not a beauty contest, either. I have never seen someone say "Yeah? Well I look better than you do!" Lots of photos, lots of positive comments, lots of fun.
G32 had a good point....don't like photos? Don't click the threads. Seems logical to me.

Quick aside...PR, thanks to the link to the Haken post. I have been able to access it through the no "s" tag, but kinda got freaked for a little bit. Nice to hear from him on this.

______________________________________
Commanding Officer of the 76th Independent Battalion.

More Information: http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

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Monday, March 12, 2007 5:43 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Quote:
Originally posted by Tristan:
And no, it is not a beauty contest, either. I have never seen someone say "Yeah? Well I look better than you do!"

LOL I actually recall quite a bit of the opposite happening... "You're so pretty!" "Oh no, you're prettier than me!" "No, I wish I looked just like you!" "But you're so pretty!"

Quote:
Quick aside...PR, thanks to the link to the Haken post. I have been able to access it through the no "s" tag, but kinda got freaked for a little bit. Nice to hear from him on this.

Very happy to

I nearly had a panic attack when it said the domain had expired; wouldn't want anyone else going through anything like that, even after the fact.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

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Monday, March 12, 2007 5:46 AM

TRISTAN

Quote:
LOL I actually recall quite a bit of the opposite happening. "You're so pretty!" "Oh no, you're prettier than me!" "No, I wish I looked just like you!" "But you're so pretty!"

Heh...yeah, that does happen a lot!

Quote:
Very happy to.
I nearly had a panic attack when it said the domain had expired; wouldn't want anyone else going through anything like that, even after the fact.

Yep. I may not post a lot now, but this place is still home...and I am happy it'll be around for awhile longer.

______________________________________
Commanding Officer of the 76th Independent Battalion.

More Information: http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

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Monday, March 12, 2007 6:10 AM

ODDSBODSKINS

Are we holding guns to your OPish head? making you stare at and comment on our gorgeous selves? FORCING you to stare at pages and pages of self-portraits just for our own vicarious pleasure?

No? Well then, what's your complaint?

Do you like bread?

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Monday, March 12, 2007 6:42 AM

COSMICFUGITIVE

I have been a member of this site for three and a half years. I agree with Bejeweled that there have been numerous shifts in the community dynamic.

Although, I have embraced these changes and find that there is always something interesting and new around the corner.

There have been numerous gimmicks on this site in the past. Does anyone recall the church sign generator, or the motivational poster craze? These were mainly based in the Blue Sun room, but there was always a constant flow due to their popularity.

I recall the Muppet Firefly craze (of which I took part in), and that was thread based. It generated a lot of interest.

Do we need three caption games on this site? Do we need various factions or role playing threads, that discuss things in an ongoing manner? Do we need alphabet games or Firefly hangman? Do we need threads that vent frustration, when they could easily be placed in a blog? Do we need blogs?

The answer to all of these things is yes. We live in a society of supply and demand. Variety is the norm. It brings people together. Life would be boring if we all wore the same clothing, drove the same cars or owned the same tvs. The same applies to the content on the internet.

With regards to photos, I recall a Browncoat photo gallery that was separate to this site. Although, it has since been taken down.

It is cool to put a face to a username.

--------------------------------

[IMG]

[/IMG]

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Monday, March 12, 2007 1:03 PM

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Bejeweled

Welcome to our site. We are glad you are here. We have all at one time or another "vented" and there are petty arguments all the time. Thats what family does.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as is everyone, but I have to repeat what is already being said - if you don't want to see the pictures, don't go into that thread.

I do not read everythread there is. I am sure many do not, but I enjoy seeing who I am speaking to - it makes it more human I think.

Anyway, again we are glad you joined us! Stick around and join in the fun!

COSMIC - Damn! Now I want to start a Muppet Frenzy!

----
Bestower of Titles, Designer of Tshirts, Maker of Mottos, Keeper of the Pyre, Owner of a too big Turnippy smelling coat with MR scratched in the neck (thanks FollowMal!)

I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

FORSAKEN original

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:15 PM

CAUSAL

Any minute now this thread is going to get claimed by one of our clans...who will it be.

Hmmm...maybe I should start a betting pool. $5 buy-in sound good?

________________________________________________________________________
Grand High Poobah of the Mythical Land of Iowa, and Keeper of State Secrets

Captain, FFF.net Grammar Police

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:20 PM

FUTUREMRSFILLION

FORSAKEN original

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Monday, March 12, 2007 3:42 PM

WRATCHIT

I heart PhoenixRose.

I like the pics. Gotta have something to fill the gap on a forum of a show that is off the air.

__________________________________________________
Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?
www.bikerplanet.net

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007 7:33 AM

JONNYQUEST

"Did he just go crazy and fall asleep?"

Some urv us are gist Vizhual Peeples.

"Well, here I am...Does that seem right to you?"

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Saturday, March 17, 2007 7:12 PM

PEULSAR5

We sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt.

Quote:
Originally posted by FutureMrsFIllion:
Bejeweled

Welcome to our site. We are glad you are here. We have all at one time or another "vented" and there are petty arguments all the time. Thats what family does.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as is everyone, but I have to repeat what is already being said - if you don't want to see the pictures, don't go into that thread.

I do not read everythread there is. I am sure many do not, but I enjoy seeing who I am speaking to - it makes it more human I think.

Anyway, again we are glad you joined us! Stick around and join in the fun!

COSMIC - Damn! Now I want to start a Muppet Frenzy!

----
Bestower of Titles, Designer of Tshirts, Maker of Mottos, Keeper of the Pyre, Owner of a too big Turnippy smelling coat with MR scratched in the neck (thanks FollowMal!)

I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

FORSAKEN original

As always, very well put.

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Saturday, March 17, 2007 8:25 PM

6IXSTRINGJACK

What a rude post, for no other reason than to be rude. And this, coming from a guy that probably 30 people in here don't like very much because of my political views.

Browncoats are good people and most in here are so nice that they're going to welcome you with open arms even though your first post was more than trollish. So, out of respect for my fellow Browncoats, I will refrain from ripping into you and saying what I really think.

I fart in your general direction.

BTW... hope you like my sig pic, cause if you stick around, you're going to see a hell of a lot of it. Yes. I am beautiful and I love myself. Don't be a hater.

"A government is a body of people, usually notably ungoverned." http://www.myspace.com/6ixstringjack

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Wednesday, April 4, 2007 4:49 AM

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Quote:
Originally posted by CosmicFugitive:

With regards to photos, I recall a Browncoat photo gallery that was separate to this site. Although, it has since been taken down.

I'd completely forgotten about the gallery. Maybe we should bring it back?

Banners, avatars and other fun stuff at www.desktophippie.com

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Wednesday, April 4, 2007 7:20 AM

KANEMAN

I don't know why there are so many pics, but I will say that I love 'em. They are hilarious. Nothing better than a bunch of narcissists playing dress-up....I always thought that was reserved for children, I have been proven wrong, so there is an educational value to it. The comedic value is bar none..........

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