Survey: Should we Require Avatars to Participate on BP?

[Joshua Dorkin]

Do you guys think that uploading a personal profile image (avatar) should be a pre-requisite for participating on the forums, blog system, properties directory, etc. here at BiggerPockets?

Just curious . . . thoughts?

[Ryan Pyle]

I don't think an avatar should be required. With that said, I usually scan right by posts written by people with no profile picture. I think my brain registers that person as less important. To me it's the same as addressing a group of people in a loud room while talking in a whisper and looking down at the ground. You just aren't going to attract much attention.

I think that anyone who really wants to be a participant in this community will eventually realize that an avatar adds to one's online identity. It's your online "face." Also, I don't think it has to be your real face. It just has to be something unique that identifies you.