What Do I Look Like?

Hmmm, Jeffrey Cross posted a friendly comment requesting that I post a pic of myself to the blog so visitors can know what I look like.

I was both pleased by the request and resistant to it. Can't figure out why. I think maybe I feel like my voice on this blog reflects me in a lot of moods and a lot of frames of mind and I can't figure out which of those moods I would want to post a snapshot of. Not to mention if I could decide on the prevailing personality or voice do I have a picture that fits? I have a digital picture of me flying an airplane that I like -- I'm smiling and kind of playful and obviously delighted by the new experience I'm having. My firm website shows me in a suit but sitting in my easy chair holding a cup of tea, and I feel like it suits me. But the hairstyle is old, so that wouldn't do for this one.

I don't know, I sort of like not knowing what my favorite bloggers look like. That way I can imagine that I'm passing them on the street. It gives perfect strangers I see each day a wonderful possible inner life -- the bloggers I like could be anyone. What do you think? Pic or no pic? If pic, which me?

Comments

[stephen bates]

no pic. to me your "voice" creates an image a photo would change. i'm happy as i am.

[Thomas Kemp]

I am one of the daily readers here. I would agree with no picture, but in this internet age, no one can really be out on the net and truly anonymous.

[Scheherazade]

Full disclosure -- I amended Thomas's comment -- to make his point he went out and found my pic on my law firm's site and posted it in the comments. And then right after he hit "post" he wrote to me and let me know he did it so I could take it off if I wanted to.

I KNOW that's possible -- nobody's pretending my identity is anonymous. But I did take it down because it spoils the fun of this conversation -- so far, the only folks who have answered say they like not knowing what I look like. Those who want to know can find out somewhere apart from this blog. Thanks, Thomas, for the tipoff, although I'm not particularly upset that you pointed out the obvious....

[Richard Ames]

Hmm ... (thinking aloud) I must say that I *have* been curious as to what you look like. Guess that's just the way I am, I want to know things. On the other hand, I already have an image of you which I won't try to describe here, but it's good image ... I like it, that is, you, the way I've imagined you (of course, your Dad has no qualms and posted a photo of himself at his site, so I did kind of extrapolate ... "What would that man's daughter look like?"). I haven't gone to your firm web site, which I could probably locate if I tried. But you know, I'm not going to do that. No, I think you're right. I think I like you just the way you are :)

[Prof. Bainbridge]

I have to admit I tracked down your law firm bio a while back, because I was curious. As for whether you should post a pic on the blog though, I say make 'em work for it. Steve

[John]

I would vote in favor of multiple, and regularly updated, pictures. Ideally, these would capture some of your various selves. But, if the only option is a professional head shot, then I would vote against a pic.

[Jeffrey A. Cross]

I didn't intend to cause a fuss. Frankly, I didn't think it's a big deal to post a photo since it's unlikely we'll ever meet. I just thought it would be interesting to compare the expected to the reality. If you're not comfortable, then I understand.