It shows a lack of quality .. make things look cheap and tacky ...its a downhill trend
I disagree with the majority
No they arent offensive. But this is a story site.
A waste of someones time.
I am a libertarian, so live and let live. I have tolerance for the choices of others but that doesn't mean I have to like what you do. If you want a cock avatar be my guest. Here is how I feel about avatars.
The choice of an avatar is a message. It is an image or graphic that we each choose to represents ourselves. My avatar is an image of myself altered somewhat using photoshop. If you know me, you will recognize me. Previous avatars I used were heterosexual couples in erotic but not hard core poses. My message was gentle, not intended to get in your face or send you any vibe other than a nice one.
Everything is perception or close to it. So, when I look at your avatar I receive a message from you. The message I perceive may be what you intend, then again it may not. I get a bad vibe from some avatars. If I get a bad vibe I will not chat with you, put you on my friends list etc. That is me and my choice.
Hard cocks as avatars send a strong sexual message. I don't understand the point, keep in mind all I am talking about is an avatar and the message it sends, only that context. Some of the guys showing off have very nice cocks. I have one too but making it my avatar is not the message I want to send.
I could post artistic nude shots of myself on my profile. I could, I didn't say I would. In that context the message is different.
Saying an erotic story site is just another sex site is like Ali's comparison of Anais Nin and Hustler. Two different animals. Sure, the ads are graphic, but does that mean the site has to tailor itself to those? No. They are there to pay the bills.
What attracted you to this place? Wasn't it the stories and/or the forum and/or the friendly people, done in a tasteful, adult way? Reading raunchy stories is far different than seeing a graphic TGP porn site. Who wants to turn it into that?
Sure, people are "free" to express themselves all over the place. To them, I say, "start your own blog/forum/story site. Put all the masturbation pics on it you want." Then see what kind of response you get. That's the freedom you get, not demanding a private enterprise, paid for by one person, to do what you want it to.
As they are linked to the author, and the stories that go on the front page of the site, I think they should be disallowed.
My reasoning is if someone is checking out the site for the first time, and sees a 10" penis staring at them on the front of the site, that may be enough to put them off joining. Plus I feel they cheapen the site too.
The adverts are only shown inside the site, once someone knows what they are letting themselves in for. If I didn't have a huge hosting bill each month, I wouldn't have any adverts. We served 94,829,379 pages in December, that doesn't come cheap!
I think the best solution is to disallow them in avatars, and whatever you wish to do in your profile area is your business (provided it's legal).
Thanks Kyle.
I am all for subtlety, in avatars, on site, in writing. There are times when crass works, there are other times when it's in your face when you didn't ask it to be.
I voted "I'm not sure". I wouldn't have a cock avatar, animated or not. And I love masturbating! I just can't see representing myself with pictures like that. I'm not offended by them, I'm not attracted to them, but I'm not totally comfortable with them either.
You've been a bad girl! Now take your pajamas off and go to my room!
But fuckbook and other adds like that aren't cheap and tacky? Hmmmm....
