ProStar
Legend
@ProStar, while it's your idea is very interesting, there are many recalling and ethical issues that this would never work.
As @Jorian Meeuse mentioned, it's easy for people to look at one's profile and know who you are. I got confused when I saw your profile picture and didn't know who you were until I saw your username. (Which is unique, by the way)
Being unique is what is so cool. Forget the idea that if we share the same hobby we should share the same profile, or share the same profile picture and use a similar picture to show it's a badge of being on this site.
Third, going with uniqueness, even though I wear uniforms for CAP, it's not good to be wearing the same thing as everyone else all the time. Eventually, you want to be different. You want to stand out. That's what each profile picture does: they stand out and kind of tell a story. With yours I can tell that you like Marvel, or with @Cubinginatree they really like to cube in trees. Mine you can tell I like Garfield, and I share some common hobbies like eating a lot and being lazy. (I should do a picture of Garfield in running shoes tell me what you think).
With ethical stuff I was going to say stuff about propaganda and communism then I realized that it wasn't at all the idea you were going for. You just want everyone to be the same. That's the issue: even with people that share profile pictures of ducks, even the ducks are different. Some are military based, some are chill, and some I don't even know.
Finishing it off, trying to share a hobby through a picture is an interesting idea, the fact that we are on this site is a sign enough that we are all cubers. We don't need to share the same profile picture. The goal of cubing is to share knowledge, break records, make friends, cube with friends, and have a fun time.
Thanks for reading, a very enthusiastic lasagna lover
Dear @Garf ,
Thank you for taking the time to voice your thoughts and concerns. Your feedback is invaluable, and we genuinely appreciate the depth and insight you've brought to the table. I'd like to address some of the points you raised:
1. Uniqueness & Identity: At the core of the Speedsolving Forum Revolution is not an aim to suppress individuality, but rather to strengthen our collective identity. We absolutely acknowledge and cherish the uniqueness each member brings. The idea behind a unified profile picture is symbolic, signifying that while we might have diverse interests and personas, we also share a common bond. Think of it like a flag: many people rally behind it, but each has their own individual story.
2. Confusion & Recognition: I understand the concern about recognizing members. The unified profile image is just one aspect of a member's profile, and usernames, as you pointed out, play a significant role in identification. Over time, as with any change, the community would adjust to this new visual cue and learn to recognize members primarily by their names.
3. Telling a Story: The beauty of a profile picture is indeed the story it tells. Even within a unified theme, there's room for variation and personalization. For instance, a unified badge or corner overlay on the existing profile picture could be an alternative, offering a balance between individual expression and shared identity.
4. Ethical Concerns: I appreciate you recognizing that our intention isn't propagandistic or communistic. It's merely an effort to foster a deeper sense of community. Our goal is unity in diversity. While we all might stand under a similar banner, our voices, experiences, and contributions remain distinct.
5. Being Cubers: While our presence on this site indeed marks our shared interest, the visual representation of this unity can further solidify our bond, especially for newcomers. It's akin to wearing a jersey of your favorite sports team. You're proud of the team, but you're also an individual fan with your own reasons for supporting.
In conclusion, the heart of this initiative is to enhance our sense of belonging while still celebrating what makes each of us unique. We'd be more than open to discussing ways we can adapt this idea to address the concerns you and others might have. Our goal is to work together to shape a movement that feels right for the majority of our community.
Warm regards,
The Speedsolving Forum Revolution Team