Flags in signatures/avatars

[Psion]

I wouldn't see the point of nixing a flag unless it was like a nazi flag or something. People's flags identify their homeland, which (as others have alluded to) cannot be boiled down to a single political argument or viewpoint in most cases. If that upsets you, I think you need to be a little more tolerant of others backgrounds.

 

[Umbran]

what this does, effectively, is allow simple political ideas to be demonstrated, while silincing more complex and neuanced ones.

Odd, isn't it, when a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words?

I'm not sure that what you say is really true, though. As I mentioned before, flags aren't clear, unambiguous statements. How can one really be sure they are getting across a specific, simple political idea when there are a number of them represented by the same flag?

In other words, allowing the flags allows people to speak. But without an accompanying, clarifying text, it is unclear exactly what will get heard.

 

[Crothian]

I wouldn't see the point of nixing a flag unless it was like a nazi flag or something. People's flags identify their homeland,

Except that people are using flags that are not their homeland's flag.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Except that people are using flags that are not their homeland's flag.

You're not American, are you.

 

[jdavis]

non-political flag statement

 

[jdavis]

non-political flag (unless you are a pirate)

 

[Henry]

A simple recollection:

ENWorld has been no stranger to flags adorning .sigs and avatars. Not that long ago, the "US/Capitalism" and "USSR/Communism" signs created by members Vuron and Crypt King adorned dozens of signatures. (I had an "anarchy" one that I was dying to spread, but it never caught on. )

The reason I support them is because I don't see flags supporting current political stances so much as more permanent ideals. Politics are temporal, but the ideals behind a country or its national identity are a little more lasting, and usually less offensive. I can only think of one or two flags whose national ideals would be considered offensive; ideals are not practices.

I just can't wait to see the board member who rises to the occasion and starts flying the flag of Cormyr, or the Free City of Greyhawk, or the Kingdom of Iuz...

 

[Olive]

non-political flag (unless you are a pirate)

actually this flag has been used by a plethora of extremely political groups through history, includign various anarchist groups, as well as the left-wing German anti-Nazi youth group known as the Edelwiess Pirates.

Variations include the Combat 18 logo (UK neo-nazi group) and the SS deaths head.

 

[Olive]

Odd, isn't it, when a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words?

I'm not sure that what you say is really true, though. As I mentioned before, flags aren't clear, unambiguous statements. How can one really be sure they are getting across a specific, simple political idea when there are a number of them represented by the same flag?

In other words, allowing the flags allows people to speak. But without an accompanying, clarifying text, it is unclear exactly what will get heard.

good point, but i still can't think of a flag which will sum up my rather complex feelings and opinions... sigh.

 

[arwink]

A simple recollection:
(I had an "anarchy" one that I was dying to spread, but it never caught on. )

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