Online Dating Glossary: Avatar
An artificial person, another being, or a graphic representative (e.g. in a computer game, in a virtual world or in an online community or dating site) of a real person is called an avatar . The use of the term avatar in this context was originally popularized by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash.
In simple game sequences, the user guides the artificial character through imaginary worlds. Desired interactions can be displayed graphically here.
On social networks, forum users have the opportunity to upload an image. This represents the user and is displayed next to their posts. In addition to actual small profile photos, artistically distorted or falsified versions of these photos are popular here, as are graphics with a preferred symbolism or imagery that is intended to emphasize the user's personality.
