You know, I've been avoiding the photowhore threads alot lately, only popping in and out to make an occasional contribution or to fuck around.


But I've noticed that these threads have a certain pattern to them. Is it just me or do we seek reaffirmations of our own looks when we posts these pictures of ourselves?
I mean, I'll be completely honest and say I love hearing folks say or or to one of my pictures, but honestly, I only believe about 1/3rd of it if even that. Mostly, I feel these are just polite gestures from friends or nice people. Kind of like watching the last few people in a Marathon run through the finish line--they all get cheered on, even if they didn't do well. It's an affirmation that they at least tried .

Alot of photo's are also doctored or done with "myspace angles" for obvioius reasons, so it's not like we're really trying to be "funny" is it? We're looking for these positive affirmations from other orgers, me thinks. Not that this is a bad thing--certainly helping someone's self-esteem is always good.

And let's face it--alot of orgers do fall into generally accepted "norms" for beauty (clear skin, being of a certain weight, etc. etc.). But I just find these photowhore threads get a bit perverse when the obviously better looking folks achieve rock star status on these threads. Or when they become competitions or conduits for popularity. It's at that point that I get rather turned off by them cause there are folks out there feeling a bit alienated by this--and no, I'm not being 'sour grapes' about it, as I will often get these compliments. It's just that at what point does it go from being good natured fun, into something a bit more perverse?

And lawd, when a jankity face gets posted up there and you folks either ignore their post cuase you just can't bring yourself to find the right positive spin on a bad situation, or you flat out lie to them and they continue to post--that's when it becomes downright dangerous.


Anyways, what is your view?

Do you feel these picture threads are good for self-esteem? Not just yours and your friends, but everyones?

I think their good natured fun, but with unintended consequences from time to time.


Personally, I want to be respected for my keen intellect.

Deep Thoughts....

heybaby said:

You know which jankity faces I'm talking about to!

Imago said:

that's what i take comments as. i personally won't tell someone they're hot if i don't think they are, though.

we're all really just a bunch of attention whores.

fhqwhgads said:

Even on that thread, folks are seeking affirmations to the opposite of the supposed intended declaration.

well I must say I got the biggest compliments I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE after posting my undies pics

Imago said:

So, who made it to your latest avatar?

Go to bed, Dan.

I'm actually pretty sick of the photowhore threads. They used to be a once and a while thing, now they are all the time.

I used to post pics to get a reaction but now, I am so comfortable in my own skin that it doesn't matter to me what a bunch of strangers think.

i don't know what to think about them. i've kind of tired of them. usually i look if someone posts whom ive never seen before-and thats just because i'm nosy. As far as the self-esteem issue goes i think in a sense it just reaffirms insecurities that "attractive" people have. the constant need to be praised just on looks. which i think can be unhealthy at times imo. but honestly i dont have a problem with the threads. to each its own

Imago said:

To be honest, I think it's pretty presumptuous of you to assume that a photo you see as "jankity" is seen that way by everyone else, and any praise or compliments that person is given is not sincere because you don't think it is. It takes very little for me to see someone's "beauty"...they can have beautiful eyes, or a gorgeous smile, or amazing skin, or silky hair or nice lips, etc....any one of those things would instantly make me look at someone as attractive, and I would say so, without it being a "lie".

As to what do I think of the photo threads? I think certain threat titles are possibly more harmful than the threads themselves...people sharing their photos so that their online personas are more fleshed out to the community they frequent so often is wonderful...and there are people here who I really like their posts, and seeing their faces, smiles and physical beings only makes them more real.

I guess I'm trying to say that it depends on the reasons people post on the threads more than the threads themselves...I don't think posting your photo hoping everyone will "ooh" and "aah" over it is too healthy. At the same time, I don't think having someone "oohing" and "aahing" over people's photos is the real culprit. How you see yourself should reside 100% within you, and no external praise is needed. That way, when you do get it, it's icing on the cake...and when someone else gets it, you're not bothered.

Imago said:

In my case, no. I do actually believe on most days that I'm ugly. People think that's me being negative or whatever but I can accept tat I am not what some?/most? consider to be physically beautiful.

Photowhore Photowhore
Please dont post no more
Infinity=Jankity
Jankity photos for infinity
Ohhhhh Jankity!

Imago said:

yup.

Cinnie said:

Imago said:

Of course. I straight up referred to it and it still happened. It always would.

You've written what I think everyone honestly thinks about at some point when posting on the the picture threads. I can't pick the bones out of it. I understand it thoroughly, but don't feel a need to pass any kind of judgment on it. It's inevitable.

Interesting it's increased a hell of a lot this last year and in particular this last few months though.

you're just going to photoshop everyone's heads to a picture of cher's body or some shit regardless.

ThreadCula said:

Lothan said:

I agree with you on this point.


But there's an obvious undercurrent momentum in them lately.
It very much appears to be folks looking for this "affirmation" and I think if folks REALLY are introspective they'll realize this is largely the motivation.



I mean, I posted a "show me your messiest room" thread or something to that affect, and folks were absolutely mortified to do it. I think only Zombiekitten bothered to post something.
So, it's not all about laughs and having a good time. There's a vanity element to it you know? And that's harmless fun, but does seem to be running rampant lately.

It's like imago theme threads. They start getting eyerolls cause I'm so popular and stuff.

We could have called this thread "Vanity and the Org"



but that could get a little confusing.



Maybe Prince is the reason why the Org has photowhore threads.

Imago said:

it's even messier now! wanna see!

Byron said:

Well, I don't Byron.

Imago said:

dude, i did that thread a few years ago and everyone was all evenstar you're so messy

Imago said:

That's kinda obvious lol ...

the way I see it, is a new bunch of orgers are still in their honeymoon org phase

Everyone, and I mean everyone just posts pics of themselves to feel better about themselves.

That's why I do it. I struggle with self-hatred every day.

I just wanna be loved.

Byron said:

This doesn't make me lesser a person than you, you know.

JustErin said:

That's why you're a whore.