Dear Mr. Jake Swensen
I actually like your post/question. When I joined, I did not pay attention to a "Profile". I listed my true name and have left it there. I did not list my address mostly because I didn't think about it. Maybe as a post secondary inner "Feeling", in a forum I was entering blindly and about Guns, Hunting Etc... It can be a game/discussion stopper among such a group if they see: California.
I have learned through time that many folks use California as a Dart Board. I am not saying such is incorrect but rather it may distract from a conversation. Another is that some folks are fast skim readers and miss out on punctuation's and grammar that forms a statement and precise meanings by a writer. Therefore, I find myself writing a great deal in hopes my subject matter is clear.
I joined back in January but did very little in postings. Maybe the rude venom words by some, made me feel MM's was not going to be for me. Even in my post on Understanding Privacy, a topic I truly meant to be good and for our children, one frequent flyer uttered ignorance and high jacked the meaning of the post/message. I do not need to associate with such folks. However, because I believe far more "Good People" read much and say little, the meanings may not have been lost and may have spurred family conversations we won't hear about.
What I an learning by what others write is their (and My Own) sole can be far more of a "Profile" than any denoted on a forum link. It's readily air apparent to know who has a large humorous bone, carefree and happy and who are either grumpy old men (sick-o's + Low IQ's & no varied experiences in Life) or those very cautious individuals until they get to know someone. PM's = such a stepping stone option.
To my own surprise, I have written very personal matters about myself here on MM's. "I", of all folks....actually did such. In essence I am saying that here on MM's I found truly wonderful folks where I let my guard down, in a graded approach, and feel I am still safe here, among future friends.
I often click on the icon to see a background on various posters. I do such so I may understand the only thing I sought, such is, what State they are from. I think this helps me in understanding their background as it relates to a subject. Basic example: At times a person talking about a particular State has more weight when their icon shows they live in that same State. But such a click is more casual and not definitive.
So to answer a pro or con insofar as profiles are concerned; I don't care but I do care about their mannerisms, intelligences and helpfulness's for everyone in the forums. Simply view the humor of deerslayer88, Sageadvice, elkassassin and logic of NVBighorn, Founder & jm77. These guy's (and many others) are the wealth that has us returning to this website. That's a darn good profile.
Jagerdad
