Friday, June 17, 2016

Book Blogger Hop No. 54: Blog Profile Photo




Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @


For more information, click HERE.


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this week's
question:

Do you have your photo
in your profile?

(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Billy's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit
Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!


My Answer

When I first started blogging, I simply decided to use my Blogger profile in my sidebar, here on this blog. The photo included with it is not a photo of me at all, but a picture of Edward and Bella, from my beloved Twilight Saga. Later on, I set up a page with a short bio. I then put in a real picture of myself, which I kept on the page for a very long time. Of course, I had already removed the Blogger profile from my sidebar.

When I started my second blog, MindSpirit Book Journeys, I also set up an "About" page, with the same photo of me included.

I've never put up any photos of myself either on Facebook or Google +. On those sites, I also display pics of Edward and Bella.My Facebook header is a picture of the white edition of the four books of the Twilight series. On Google +, the header is the same one I use on  A Night's Dream of Books.

About two months ago, I took down the photo of myself from both blogs. On this blog, I went back to my Blogger profile, which I again added to my sidebar. On the other blog, I put up a picture of some very nice antique books, which goes very well with two of the genres I review on that blog -- classics, and nonfiction. (I review a few other genres there as well, but these are the main ones.)

The reason for these changes is the following: I have, in the recent past, been involved in some activism on Twitter. I tweeted about a certain topic quite a bit. Well, I began to get harassed. Someone even made a VERY offensive comment about my photo. Because of all that, and because I was afraid that the harassment could eventually include giving out my personal information, I decided to remove my photo from both of my blogs. I also changed my Twitter name and profile photo. I now have a picture of an edition of the classic, A Room with a View.

You can see the photo I use for A Night's Dream of Books right in my sidebar. For MindSpirit Book Journeys, the picture I use in my "About" page is the one below. It's also the header on my Twitter profile.





Thankfully, nothing further has happened, but I'm not taking any chances now. Besides, the pics I use reflect my two biggest passions in life -- books, and The Twilight Saga!! Lol.

Wait.....now I'm thinking there are a couple other sites where my picture is publicly displayed.... Well, I'll have to remove it from those sites, as well.

One more thing: I always tweet my blog posts, but I'm sure not tweeting this one! 
    
   

What are your thoughts?
Please leave a comment,
and I'll go check out your post!





13 comments:

  1. It is such a shame that we have to worry about folks coming after others in this way because of opinions. As you know I have had similar issues. I once had someone use my picture from Twitter to create a fake account. I have even thought of taking my pictures down. One thing that I do not do is Tweet pictures of family members as this has been used against others on social media.

    As we know it is not uncommon people who do not like one's opinion to start digging through personal information online for all sorts of malicious purposes,

    I have noticed a general trend, that is women, even those who do not express opinions on controversial subjects, are less likely to display personal pictures then men. Sadly this seems to be the result of men who target women online.



    Stay safe and have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Brian!

      It is indeed a shame that we have to worry about this kind of thing.... Many people, like you, are respectful when encountering opinions they disagree with, but a lot of people are not. Instead of politely stating their case, they start attacking the person holding the opinion they disagree with. The thing is, the people who do this are HUGE narcissists. They have to be RIGHT, no matter what.

      Going even beyond personal attacks, the most demented and extremist of these people then resort to getting personal information about those they disagree with, and posting it online. This is a vile, despicable thing to do, as it opens up victims to possible violence, right where they live. I feel so sorry for those who have been victims of this. It's been mostly women, from what I've gathered.

      I feel bad for you, too, Brian, since someone used your picture to create a fake account. You are wise and prudent not to tweet pictures of your family members!

      I, too, have noticed that even women who do not express opinions on controversial subjects do not display their personal pictures as often as men do. It's really very sad that we have to live in a society in which we women cannot freely express our opinions, for fear of being targeted for violence. That sort of thing should NOT happen in a democratic country like ours!! It's true that Twitter has members from all over the world, but many of the men who have harassed women on Twitter are Americans. This has opened my eyes to the fact that there's STILL a LOT of misogyny in this country. Otherwise, Donald Trump would not have the support he has.

      I will definitely aim to stay safe! Hope you have a great weekend, too!!

      Thanks for a most supportive and thought-provoking comment!! :)

      Delete
    2. P.S. As you know, I always tweet my blog posts. Well, for obvious reasons, I am NOT tweeting this one! You never know WHO might come out of the woodwork to attack me if I do..... Disgusting, I know.....

      Delete
  2. That stinks that you were harassed like that. That's always been one of my worries when I use photos on my blogs - that someone will misuse it. On my homeschool blog, it's almost a necessity to have pictures of the family on there, and - knock on wood - I have never had a problem. I don't tweet pictures of myself or my family.

    I love the picture of antique books you use, by the way. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kym!

      It SURE does stink!! I was SO shocked when this happened! But, as you say, people can misuse personal photos posted on blogs, as well as social media, any way they please, pretty much with impunity, as they can hide their own identities.

      You're very wise and prudent not to tweet pics of yourself or your family. You just never know....

      I'm glad you like the photo of the antique books! Yes, it's a great picture!

      Thanks so much for the supportive comment!! :)

      Delete
  3. That is awful about the harassment.

    I only have my photo on my blog, Facebook, and on LinkedIn because LinkedIn wouldn't allow my blog header photo that I normally use.

    Have a good weekend.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Elizabeth!

      Indeed it is! I was SO shocked and surprised, too!

      Well, as long as you don't put your personal photo on Twitter, you'll probably be okay. Me, I'm not taking any chances! You know the saying, "Once bitten, twice shy." However, if I were you, I'd reconsider posting your personal pics.

      Hope you have a good weekend, too! Happy Hopping!

      Thanks for the nice comment!! :)

      Delete
    2. You're very welcome! Enjoy your weekend!! :)

      Delete
  4. That's awful about the Twitter harassment. It's so frustrating that almost nothing can be discussed without someone having to take things to an unnecessarily personal level and even cross the line into stalking. I don't blame you for taking the picture down though it is too bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Katherine!

      I know. I was really shocked and totally surprised when it happened, too. And to even have the possibility of someone giving out my personal information! This is definitely stalking, as you say. And it's VERY irresponsible, as it opens people up to being victims of violence right on their home turf.

      Yeah, I decided to take my photo down on Twitter, but then I went one step further, and took it down on my two blogs, as well.

      Thanks for the great comment!! Have a nice weekend!! :)

      Delete
  5. I am sorry you had to endure that. Just because people have a difference of opinion doesn't make it okay for people to resort to stalking, harrassing, name calling and throwing personal insults. Now I'm mad on your behalf. People can be so thoughtless and cruel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Wendy!

      Aw.....thank you SO much!! You're SO sweet!! :)

      I never expected that to happen on Twitter, but, in the time I've been a member, I've seen the same thing happen to others, as well. Now I mostly stay away from controversial topics, except that every now and then I do throw in a couple of political tweets. But I think I should stick to safe topics, such as books, art, and music.

      I've noticed that you don't use your real photo as an avatar on your Blogger profile, but have s beautiful black cat, instead. I also haven't seen your real photo anywhere else on your blog. Furthermore, whenever you post a photo of you daughter, "Mouse", her face is either covered by her hair, or she has her back to the viewer. I think this is intentional on your part, and you're very smart to do this! You never know what child pervert might happen by your blog! It pays to be careful, especially where your family members are concerned.

      Yes, people can be very thoughtless and cruel, especially when they're narcissists, which the stalkers on Twitter certainly are. God forbid ANYONE should have opinions different from theirs!

      This sad state of affairs makes it even nicer to run into someone like you, who are, instead, thoughtful and kind!! Luv ya!!!! <3 :)

      Thank you SO much for such a wonderful comment!! Have an AWESOME weekend!! I hope your hubby is over his cold, and has a TERRIFIC Father's Day!!! <3 :)

      Delete

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