An Avatar is...

What is an Avatar?

Well?  What do you think it is?

As part of "what I do"  I have setup and re-vamped more profiles than I can count on many social media platforms and team pages on websites. I have always thought I know the 

difference between an avatar and a bio. (just a note and so you understand why I pose the question of an Avatar: for a very short time, I was a gamer a few years back)difference between an avata

Fairly recently, in a SMM group discussion, a question popped up about someone wanting an Avatar created. I absolutely jumped at the opportunity to help--because I like to be helpful and I love being creative. 

I pipe in: Heck yeah! I love to make avatars!  what do you need? Male? Female? Critter type? Colors?

Ermmm..no Glo--what are you talking about? An avatar is a client's bio.

Im thinking: No..Im pretty sure an avatar is a icon, image or character representing the person, thing, game, etc.  I know this because I have not only made a few for friends but for myself as well a few years back.  Heck, one could even consider some social media profile images avatars in my opinion.

The discussion continued--asking for ideas and people offering to help create an "avatar" -- I ran off to the best source of info ever: Professor Google.

Annnnnnd, YES!!  (I do a few fist pumps, and a little dance) Google agrees with me!

I go back, fully armed to prove I know my sh...erm, stuff. 

Again I was put in my place. An avatar is a client bio.

Say, what?!

I go back to Prof Google--because he must be mistaken...and this time I dont just google "what is an Avatar"..I google:  "what is a CLIENT Avatar in social media"

Google doesnt apologize for not telling me the whole story the first time and possibly saving slight embarrassment that somewhere in time, I missed the big event when an avatar changed sides.  Apparently, (according to google's new answer) an Avatar has been promoted to a very watered down bio, similar to a LinkedIn profile or resume profile with pretty much close to a full bio but shortened to accommodate short attention spans.  

WOW...Im not happy with you Goog for not giving me all the deets the first  time!  (I call Google, "goog" sometimes).  Slightly irritated with the change that has taken place and no one bothered to send me the memo.  

So, what IS an avatar?  To me and to my gamer friends (oh, yes!  I reached out and asked them what an Avatar was--and not the James Cameron movie. They looked at me like I was crazy--first for asking and second when I told them my new found knowledge.)

Do not worry, my gamer peeps..and Avatar will and forever be in my book, the exact definition from Google's cousin:
                                     Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_(computing)

I will never call a bio or profile an avatar. Im kind of bull headed that way, I suppose.
I have added to my long list of Pet Peeves calling a bio an Avatar is just wrong.
As wrong as wearing two different socks with open toed shoes in a snowstorm.

Yup..