being someone else on the internet

[Milhouse]

Have you ever thought about signing up for a message board, and just lying about everything to be someone you aren't purely for entertainment value. And no, I don't mean trolling, like signing up on a political party's message board claiming to be part of that party and just causing trouble.

Instead, I mean taking on another identity basically. For example, I assume most of us here are white collar types (hence the interest in suits) so maybe sign up for a forum, and claim you are a blue collar type and try to post in "character" from that perspective. Or another example, maybe you are a nudist, so you sign up to post on a clothing message board and pretend to like suits.

Think you could do it? How long could you keep it going before you were found out? How complex could you weave the tale of lies?

 

[rach2jlc]

I like to pretend I'm Art Vandelay. I'm an architect.

This facade lasts about fifteen minutes, until someone like Huntsman (an actual engineer) posts on a thread.

 

[Duveen]

I think that several posters are currently conducting scientific experiments on precisely this subject. You will destroy the "double-blind" status of the trials if J does not delete this thread.

 

[kwilkinson]

I'm actually doing it right now.

In real life I'm a tall, dark, handsome, and incredibly rich trust fund baby from New York.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

I'm actually doing it right now.

In real life I'm a tall, dark, handsome, and incredibly rich trust fund baby from New York.

but i found you truly tall, dark , and handsome. ?? no?
check out your photo

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

but i found you truly tall, dark , and handsome. ?? no? check out your photo

LOL! Good joke shoe.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Connemara

LOL!

Good joke shoe.

Thanks shoe!
It's true, the only part I lie about on the internet is the trust fund part. The rest is all true.

 

[Milhouse]

Originally Posted by Duveen

I think that several posters are currently conducting scientific experiments on precisely this subject. You will destroy the "double-blind" status of the trials if J does not delete this thread.

Hmm, I've had my suspicions as well

Could anyone in real life be as big a loser as {name redacted to protect the study} makes himself out to be? He's probably doing a study on internet empathy or something.

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by Milhouse

Hmm, I've had my suspicions as well

Could anyone in real life be as big a loser as {name redacted to protect the study} makes himself out to be? He's probably doing a study on internet empathy or something.
I don't want to say his name either, but I will say it rhymes with "Bonnemara."

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

I don't want to say his name either, but I will say it rhymes with "Bonnemara."

Is it Thomas?

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Is it Thomas?

you spiteful harpy, you.

 

[Thomas]

Actually, there are a number of people I can think of whose bona fides come into question.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Thomas

you spiteful harpy, you.

I figured you were a funny enough guy on here that you might be doing it all just to phuck with us.
I'd be okay with it.

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Is it Thomas?

T's as real as they come. I know this because I can't imagine anyone lying about being a fan of Yatagan.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

I figured you were a funny enough guy on here that you might be doing it all just to phuck with us.
I'd be okay with it.

Thanx for outing me kwilk.

My confession.

IRL I have no sense of humor. Only when I'm behind the shield of a keyboard and web connection can I try to be funny and likeable. It's still a chore to be 'funny'. Smiling likewise comes hard for me. I tried it once, small children screamed and I swear I pulled a muscle in the attempt.