Why Do People Post Pictures of Themselves Here?

Wow!  You speak Italian, North Korean, and Brazilian?  

Cystem, you are hilarious! I think I'm capable of learning a little bit of each...if it is a pleasure to do so

"Nothing is to be feared but fear itself."

On the plus side, using an image other than one's photograph and a handle different from one's name lends an aura of mystery.

Yes, I agree. But my avatar is flowers covered with "Pepto Bismal"

Well, I've definitely made myself look more paranoid than I'd wanted. I have, in fact, shown myself to random people on the Internet before (conservatively). However, seeing as the Internet is become more and more dangerous, I get the feeling that it may not be a good idea in the long run.

The fact is... this is still a CHESS website, and despite the fact that there is a strong community here, well... I think it makes more sense to show your face in the real world as opposed to here - where you won't actually meet in person 99.99% of the people you see, some of which are undoubtedly nutjobs. :D

I guess the nutjobs do exist in the real world, too. :) But it's sometimes harder to spot them through the web...

LOL

@OP: let's face it...some of us are just vain and want to show off.

Look, if I'm going to be famous, sure - I'd want people to see me and know me. But for now, I have no reason for everybody to see me. What the heck is the point of putting yourself all over the Internet then? The net is almost weirder than the real world. o_O

It's nice to have something visual for the people you come across regularly on a website, even if its someone you just read in the forums and don't banter with directly.  On a given website the personality you interact with may not be representative of how the person behaves in real life (I have several different personae on different websites, including a dog on one), but still, that's how you know them.  It's funny how a tiny unique visual image, no matter how abstract, goes a long way toward making the person seem like more of an individual.  When some people change their avatars, sometimes I feel like I'm dealing with a different person. 

Man, am I glad I didn't say what I thought it was . . . 

 Disgusting. Why don't you take your toilet humor and put it where it belongs? In the TOILET.

For me, it's to keep the girls away! lol.

"To live is to change."

 Ah, you have no sense of humor. With your damn conservative ideology. Chess.com allows it, so deal with it or get outta here.

 There's a BIG difference between being liberal and being a disgusting, childish IDIOT. Go to Yahoo Chess - they LOVE your kind of "humor" there.

 You're the kind of person who loves to start problems for no reason. You're the one who clearly belongs in Yahoo Chess. Have you noticed that you're the ONLY person to make a big deal - heck, even as much as a comment - about this?

 Can I have your phone number?  I want to stalk you

O.K. Cystem, as much as I hate to ask, what did you think it was?

 I'm the only person to comment on this because everybody else just ignored this crap of yours. I hope you develop some maturity before it's too late. Sadly, I fear that it's already too late for you.

Stairway, you're talking to...Stairway! You do realize this?

 Oh, you're a terrible actor. I know you don't care about me and I don't care about YOU. Get the hell out of my thread.

And goddamn... get a different username or something. Those people are right - it looks like I'm talking to myself / have multiple personality disorder. Please do us all that favor.