Yeah, well, sure, but can you tell a programmer from a serial killer?
malevole.com/mv/misc/killerquiz/
(This is really old, I know. Also requires Flash.).
I scored 10/10 on that! Is it rigged so you always get the answer right?
The beard is most likely seen as a symbol of defiance in the pogonophobic society in which we live in.
My best memory of Dennett was around 1985 at Lehigh, where he was on campus for a week, and guest lecturing in one of my philosophy classes one day. Several professors were in the class, each jockeying to ask him the bigger brighter question … the ego Olympics. My adviser, Bob Barnes … a sweet befuddled brilliant man … was silent most of the class while everyone else was strutting their stuff. Towards the end, my adviser raised his hand and asked a single question and I watched as Dennett and the rest of the egoists were knocked silent, each taking in the depth of the question, waiting a full minute or so before attempting an answer.
Small moment, but pivotal for me. Ever since I’ve wanted to be like my adviser … humble smart, not competitive brainiac.
As for beards, I grew mine out twice, with no pictures surviving except a mug shot (which I have thought many times to go find.)