You KNOW who you are.

This interests me. I am an old-fashioned person, I do not play computer games, I do not own a smart phone, I do not use GPS or any other gimmicks that "talk" (I prefer to use my own brain instead). So I guess, you would say I don't use an avatar (if i understand the meaning right) - but probably this is only true unless I integrate, which is rather difficult for some functions, so that I sometimes need help for that.

Same here, sort of. I do have a tablet (Nexus 7), but I mostly use it for reading; I have a 'dumbphone,' aka regular cellphone, which I barely use. You want to use your brain? What are you doing online???? LOL I guess it (avatar) could be thought of as a symbol, which tells people something about yourself/interests. I'm guilty of using them, I admit.