Regarding my avatar

I've given some thought to this of late, as it has come up a few times now.  Primarily, my avatar - the term for that "cat's eye" image that is everywhere I write - is mentioned before other social media types block me for warning that people can misuse a movement as a form of corruption.

One has not (thank you, Sean!), which has actually assisted to carry their argument some weight - after all, if they're actually talking to me, rather than at me, it's my time to take what they say on board and listen as I usually like to.

Thus; my consideration.

Should I use a different avatar for portraying myself on social media such as Twitter?

The primary purpose that is purported for why I should change it, is that people are mistaking me for an "alt-right" anonymous account, and thus reacting more aggressively than if I say, used a photograph of myself.

The primary reasons that contend why I use it and should continue to do so are;

• It offers a (thin, admittedly) veneer of anonymity to protect others
   - Domestic violence work
   - Carer role
• I connect up other accounts through the social media du jour of my preference; twitter.
• This same icon is on all my other platforms; it was on tumblr before I closed my account, it's on Steam, Origin, UPlay, science journal entries, my phonebook, Raptr, etc.  While not a trademark or official stamp, it is a "thumbprint" of sorts, and helps to make things seem more personal for me.
• It's an icon I have used since 2002 as a form of avatar originally on old chatMUD and forums.
• Prior to bringing it into line with my other accounts, I used a photo of Io (the moon of Jupiter) because it was interesting.

To weigh the two against each other, the reasons why I feel I should continue far outweigh it simply on the thin veneer alone.  That combined with the comfort and habitual use both provide strong basis for me to continue the use, but I should get to the primary proposition for why I "should change it".

• These people are reacting to my appearance, not my comment

If they didn't read my comment, then it doesn't matter what I look like, does it?  Besides, I thought in modern year 2016, people were not supposed to base their reactions on what someone looks like, and instead strive for equality?  I don't much value that outlook, and thus will not consider it for weight.

• That these people feel my image gives them "justification" to profess hate or rage

I don't agree with the belief that how someone dresses should "justify" their being attacked or raped.  In fact, as a feminist and as a human who values freedom of expression, I find this sentiment quite offensive.  Is that justification also given to women who "asked for it"?  A serious concern, and entirely surmises why I will dismiss that outlook for weight.

• The belief that alt-right accounts use images analogous to my avatar.

This could be a concern.  If this is true, then I do run the risk of 'polluting' my image, so to speak, which could be a legitimate, if mild, concern.  If the image does in fact represent a popular theme for nationalism, and I am not a nationalist, I would not wish to give the wrong initial seeming.  It would still not "justify" people reacting to how I look, but it would carry some weight.

So, let's take a quick look at the typical alt-right account; in this instance, let's reference https://twitter.com/Ricky_Vaughn99.  Trump supporter, "American nationalist. Free speech activist. MIT-certified Top 150 2016 Election Influencer."

Amongst his 27.9K followers (at the time of this analysis), only 37 are people that I, in turn, communicate with.  But more amusing is this:

https://twitter.com/Ricky_Vaughn99/followers

The majority of his followers are not "anonymous" accounts.  In fact, most are photographs.  Some are photographs of Trump, some are "egg" accounts.  But far outweighing both, are the photographs.

Now, the reason that I bring up Vaughn is that he's who was referenced in recent discussions, in fact a certain user (I won't reference as it would be rude with his having blocked me) thought I was one of his followers for criticising his commentary that sounded convincingly like a call for violence.  NB: I condemn all violence, and calling for peacefulness is hardly an "alt-right" trait.

So, given that my avatar does not, in fact, look like a standard-cut "alt-right" account, I must in turn wonder what gives people that impression to call it of me?

A simple answer could be that, in the absence of being capable of provoking the rage he had been hoping for, a mildly popular narcissist sought to justify his retaliation to my call for peace by simply making up a fallacious connection, lest he be confronted with the reality that he was, in fact, wrong.

I could also be incorrect in that impression, but that is certainly what I am given image of here.

Conclusion: Should I replace my avatar with a photograph?

No.

Given that such would increase risk for others by even a minor amount, has no real reason, and is a comfortable habit I have maintained for fourteen years, I don't see any reason to want to do so.

But I said I would give it input, and should there be more valid reasons to do so, I will be happy to reappraise again.

Bonus round: "Your header image-"

It's a photo of Earth.  Earth is likewise not a symbol for nationalist "alt-right" accounts.  Those that weren't blank were predominantly national flags, images of Trump, or abstracts.  I don't think I'll change my image any time soon based on that argument - even if my counter is purely "I like space photos".