Is it better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody?

RJman · Aug 25, 2008

The breaking scandal of the self-titled Clark Rockefeller made me think of past reported attempts to pose as someone one is not in order to gain entree or to avoid complete mental breakdown -- David Hampton, the fellow in France who for nearly 20 years fooled his wife, family and friends into thinking he was a doctor at WHO when he in fact had dropped out of medical school... But when reinvention goes inherently wrong, is it worth the falsity?

Thomas · Aug 25, 2008

For a long time, I was a Tom and now I'm a Thomas. The re-invention went well, but I'm starting to think that I should be a Tom again. It's starting to feel....inauthentic, or ersatz, this Thomas business. Maybe if I regress a few dozen years or join the mafia I might consider another re-invention and become a Tommy, but only if no one ever mentions that stupid rock opera.

onion · Aug 25, 2008

Something similar happened to a dentist in my city, except he tricked all of his clients into thinking he had received his dental license. He apparently never passed dental school. He actually had an office set up for 2 years or so, and ended up getting busted by an insurance claim or something, not a complaint from a customer.

ryoneo · Aug 25, 2008

Originally Posted by RJman

But when reinvention goes inherently wrong, is it worth the falsity?

Only if you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day. It's not worth it.

rach2jlc · Aug 25, 2008

Originally Posted by Thomas

For a long time, I was a Tom and now I'm a Thomas. The re-invention went well, but I'm starting to think that I should be a Tom again. It's starting to feel....inauthentic, or ersatz, this Thomas business. Maybe if I regress a few dozen years or join the mafia I might consider another re-invention and become a Tommy, but only if no one ever mentions that stupid rock opera.
You'd have a great mafia name, Thomas. With your love of fragrances, you'd easily be called "Tommy the Nose." Anyway, as for fake "lives," I thought such people were anomalous, but in talking once with my mother (who worked in Human Resources for thirty years), she mentioned that she had all sorts of stories about people making up spouses, children, life-events, injuries, etc. And these were people who WEREN'T doing it for any sort of monetary gain (that was a whole different group). I suppose they perhaps start off small, but the NEXT lie just a little bit easier to tell than the previous one and soon... voila!

supercarl · Aug 25, 2008

you have to be yourself, not someone else

RJman · Aug 25, 2008

One could argue, of course, that Anne Hathaway herself was involved with a fake somebody, a huckster who pretended to be an agent for the Vatican selling off its real estate, who hired someone to pose as a priest...

sho'nuff · Aug 25, 2008

Anne Hathaway is one ugly woman.

her eye makeup is analogous to what one would do to a bland burrito by smothering it with Tapatio

rach2jlc · Aug 25, 2008

Originally Posted by RJman

One could argue, of course, that Anne Hathaway herself was involved with a fake somebody, a huckster who pretended to be an agent for the Vatican selling off its real estate, who hired someone to pose as a priest...
Yes, but she was in The Princess Diaries, which in some circles absolves her of any wrongdoing. The person you SHOULD be pointing a finger at is Julie Andrews. I've never trusted her.

jpeirpont · Aug 25, 2008

Fake it until you make it.

RJman · Aug 25, 2008

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

Yes, but she was in The Princess Diaries, which in some circles absolves her of any wrongdoing.
I think more people think that Havoc and Bareback Mountain absolve her, but what do I know...

rach2jlc · Aug 25, 2008

^Well, we must run in different circles... what can I say? (lol)

RJman · Aug 25, 2008

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

^Well, we must run in different circles... what can I say? (lol)

You haven't seen Bareback Mountain?

rach2jlc · Aug 25, 2008

Oh yes, I have seen BM; actually I own it as well! In truth, I have never seen Princess Diaries. It just made for a much more witty quip. Edit: Oops (LOL), you said Bareback Mountain. I didn't catch it at first; I thought you were referring to the other. You know, the Oscar-nominated one. And... umm... (blush) of course I've never seen Bareba... Bare... who? ummm... I'll have my staff get back to you on that one.

odoreater · Aug 25, 2008

Interestingly enough, I use the same online user name on just about every message board that I've ever posted on; however, in real life, I go by several different names.

Is it better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody?

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