Well it would eliminate the question "I have to upload a avatar AND a profile picture? Whats the difference?". Unfortunately though, I believe it would require a re-write of Dolphin since most of the content added to Dolphin also contains the user's avatar (except forums) who posted it. I personally don't have a problem with it, but I can see your point where it should be able to be an 'option' to use it or not WITHOUT having all the gray ghosts floating around. But again, they would have see more to do something with the 'Members' block you can have on the front page, the 'Browse All Members' pages, as well as the not including the avatar ion posted content. Not to mention the 'Upload Profile Photo' option on the join page (which is really an Avatar). I don't see them doing that. At least right now.

Not sure I would call it 'Kids Stuff' since most of all 'social' types sites utilize some type of 'Avatar' whether its pulled from a Profile Photo or a separate source. Even most forum based sites use them. You may be able to 'hack' your way through it, but it will be alot of code digging to make it happen.