The profile and the profile picture upload are an integral part of social networking - the defining characteristic almost. So how is it used here? What about anonymity? A lot of people on PLM don't upload a picture of their face, but maybe a pet or a landscape like you can see in this first picture above. But you can see in the profile that this profile's "about me" section is unlike any other social network's profile. It is deeply, and completely personal. That is the point on this site, after all, past finding people like yourself, but finding people that have the same deeply personal problems like yourself. This completely changes the landscape as far as socializing on the web and how we write about ourselves.
The main problem with profiles on other sites (like Facebook or MySpace) is that it usually exists to serve the viewers - the audience, and therefore is shaped by the user to reflect an edited and carefully shaped personality - interests and "about me" included. Sure, it might be pretty accurate, but when you strip away all the nonsense and start talking solely about medication, symptoms, doctor's visits, and needing support from others - it's all about the nitty-gritty truth. Even if this picture IS of a bug or a flower and not a human being.
