Friday 5 February 2021

Endless tinkering...

This business of putting up an image on the blog (for which I blame William Wildblood) has led to continual dissatisfaction about 'the impression created'. 

The previous blog picture (which didn't even last a week) had me on a walk in Spain (Costa Blanca) - which, while accurate (I have been there dozens of times) creates a falsely globetrotting ambience; whereas in truth I travel less, and less far, than anyone I know. 

The current image on this blog therefore has me at  the stone circle Long Meg and her Daughters, just across in Cumberland - only about an hour from where I live. (See how long this one lasts...)

The trouble is that images are overwhelming - as the modern world knows only too well. Images trump words. 

So the image will surely come to dominate whatever written content I generate; and it will be hard to resist continual tinkering (although so few photos of me exist, since I take the family pix and am usually behind the lens - so that will set a limit). 

I see no way around this: we are up-against evolved psychology, or something...  


8 comments:

Wm Jas Tychonievich said...

You could just post a headshot without any particular background, thus avoiding "impressions."

FWIW, nothing in the Spain photo screamed globetrotting to me. If you had told me it had been taken a few miles from your home, I would have believed you.

William Wildblood said...

I liked the last one but this is good too.

At least, I only replace mine once every 10 years!

Nym Coy said...

Don't feel bad. Your picture isn't even visible on mobile view and who reads blogs on the computer anymore?

Bruce Charlton said...

@Wm - A headshot would be unwise. I don't want to experience a total collapse in page views.

@William - If I can keep changing it down to once every 10 days, I will be happy.

@Nym - "who reads blogs on the computer anymore?" - Those of us who don't own a 'smart'phone, I guess!

Andrew said...

I liked the hiking photo. It appeared Tolkienish. Bilbo did not travel much either, though is known for his adventure.

Perhaps you should pose with a Pipe at a University desk to conjure up that Old Professor feel, though I assume you don't smoke.

TonguelessYoungMan said...

Maybe the fact that I'm a Yank who's never been outside of North America has something to do with it, but if you told me that the last picture was the English country side I would have believed it.

Otto said...

The trouble is that images are overwhelming .... I see no way around this

A black-and-white photo (instead of a colored version) seems to have less emotional salience.

Bruce Charlton said...

@Otto - That gives me an excuse for even more tinkering!