Okay, so I was thinking about this earlier today, and I find it kind of interesting.

I've noticed how a person's avatar can sometimes influence the way I interact with them online--not just here on the Sift, but anywhere online where avatars are allowed.

Aside from the obvious effect of aiding recognition, avatars, I think, can sometimes impart something of a subconscious impression of a person online. Seeing as it's the only means we have of a visual indicator of a someone's personality online, I think it's merely a natural reaction of our brains' tendency to seek familiarity, similarity, and connection with someone else; something we've gotten used to from face-to-face communication.

My interpretations of things such as gender, age, maturity, physical appearance, intelligence, stance on a particular topic, and more can be affected by the impression I'm given by a user's avatar. It also helps me to remember those with whom I've had more direct, candid communications. I think being aware of this effect helps to facilitate more effective communications because you're not so swayed by that first impression given off by a person's avatar. However, I find it does tend to aid your overall impression of the person when taken into account along with the aggregate of their online postings.

This is an on-going observation of mine, and I intend to keep reevaluating it. So with that, my fellow Sifters, what are your thoughts on this idea? Do you think this makes avatars a good, or bad thing? Discuss.