What is it about...

[Grove]

...fake profiles that gets us in a twirl? How fake is too fake?

 

[Hawkeye]

Paranoid much? ^^

 

[Grove]

uh?

 

[Hawkeye]

There are times when a fake version of something actually ends up being superior to the original.

For all you know there could be more 'fake' users on this forum.

 

[Grove]

I assumed that there would be. I intent was not to start a debate about whether or not people are "real" on the internet. I just wanted to know where people stand on the issue.

 

[Hawkeye]

ah, ok

The whole purpose of making something fake is to deceive others into thinking its actually real. Be that a fake truth, a fake replica of a piece of clothing or even a fake emotional response.

If something is completely fake in every way then nobody should be able to tell the difference. These are good fakes. This does not necessarily mean they are intended for good however.

Something being 'too fake' using todays meaning ironically to me means it isn't fake enough.

 

[Grove]

Good point.

 

[Kuu]

We all know all users of this forum are fake.

Lor is a very lonely person to have invented all of us, and have us pretend we are distinct people.

 

[flow]

Who invented Lor!?

 

[EloquentBohemian]

Lor is eternal and all-knowing.
All Praise Be To Lor!!

*appropriate genuflections*

 

[Ogion]

True, just look at my signature. I think i'm the only one who really acknowledtges the fact.

OnTopic: I guess you meant the banning of XII et.al.? Well, he had been warned not to make more double accounts, he breached that, he got banned.
Fake/double accounts on a forum usually are for deceiving the other forum members into thinking that was a new person, while in reality that 'new' user is someone already on the forum and 'inside knowldge'.
If you say, explicitly, that this new user is actually just a double account from you (for whatever reasons), that may, depending on forum, be reason enough to allow you the double account. If however you do not make it clear, you obviously can't have good intentions.

Ogion

 

[EloquentBohemian]

True, just look at my signature. I think i'm the only one who really acknowledtges the fact.

I have a small, yet tastefully decorated altar to Lor upon which I sacrifice virgin political memes at every full moon. It's right next to the altar for Colonel Sanders.

 

[preilemus]

I guess you meant the banning of XII et.al.? Well, he had been warned not to make more double accounts, he breached that, he got banned.

wait, more double accounts? as in, he already had one (or more)?

EDIT: nvm. question answered

 

[loveofreason]

Alice is the first one to come to our attention.

I think Ogion is referring to the personas that posted under XIII, which weren't a problem in the sense that we all knew they had the same originator. There was no violation of rules there, but it did cause upset for many other members.

I think Ogion has been working too hard and just mixed up the facts temporarily. (Unless I'm having a memory blank on something.)


There! Well, I need more sacrifices if I'm to keep generating all you alternative personalities... the whole weave is starting to unravel! Feed me!

 

[echoplex]

...fake profiles that gets us in a twirl? How fake is too fake?

I just think people prefer to feel as though they are talking to a "real" person, who is presenting themselves as honestly as they are aware of. We're all a little fake, even to ourselves, and when you add that to the anonymity of online personas, you end up with a certain unspoken allowance for fakeness. It's okay to have a made up avatar and name, but if it becomes apparent that you aren't thinking as whoever you are would irl, then people start to feel that allowance has been breached.

Oddly though, I see a certain positive potential for "fake" profiles. The assumption of a certain identity can add a dimension to one's expression that can be fun in a role-playing sort of way. It seems this would be better though if the person behind the profile admitted before-hand that it's all an act. Then, the act can continue as a source of entertainment and banter which, when combined with their "identity", can prove to be humourous and possibly even informative.

 

[snowqueen]

I just think people prefer to feel as though they are talking to a "real" person, who is presenting themselves as honestly as they are aware of. We're all a little fake, even to ourselves, and when you add that to the anonymity of online personas, you end up with a certain unspoken allowance for fakeness. It's okay to have a made up avatar and name, but if it becomes apparent that you aren't thinking as whoever you are would irl, then people start to feel that allowance has been breached.

I may be unusual in this but I do actually care about the people on this forum with whom I've had conversations. Having worked in mental health services means that I have had a lot of insight into the pain and distress that living can bring and while this forum is often a place of great fun and silliness, it is also a place where many INTPs (and friends) seem to have felt safe to unload some of those fears, pain and insecurity. That is not an easy thing to do even on an 'anonymous' forum. In return most people here are extraordinarily generous in their understanding and support. To find out that you have been doing that to someone who is simply being fake or playing a game does seem to indicate a certain callousness and lack of accountability. Yes -we INTPs may joke a lot about being emotionless and many members portray themselves as part-machine, bastards and sneering mavericks but I have seen most of them behave in genuinely caring way towards someone in distress. This is very different to the role-playing dissembling characters who have emerged in recent times. They never seem to care about the way they upset people. Except of course when they create a new persona specially to do that and prove how 'authentic' they can be.

Oddly though, I see a certain positive potential for "fake" profiles. The assumption of a certain identity can add a dimension to one's expression that can be fun in a role-playing sort of way. It seems this would be better though if the person behind the profile admitted before-hand that it's all an act. Then, the act can continue as a source of entertainment and banter which, when combined with their "identity", can prove to be humourous and possibly even informative.

There are plenty of RPG platforms where you could do that - not sure whether this forum is an appropriate place to do that - but YMMV

I looked up Noddy's rant again and still think this is correct - I've taken out the references to particular people, and on its own I think it stands up well:

In my life I strive to be authentic. I do my best to never put up fronts and to maintain a spirit of honesty and integrity. That being said, I bullshit a lot here, but I think the people who know me, know the difference. Maybe I carry things too far and maybe I make jokes when I shouldn’t, but I almost () never mean harm. Within reason, if someone wants to know anything about me, I’ll be honest and upfront about it. I think I’ve shown that here, as have many of our members.

Authenticity is of the utmost importance to me, and I suspect to a lot of INTP's, especially in a world where everyone seems to be full of shit. I see so many people put up so many fronts and I just get tired of it. I value people who just let it all hang out, who aren’t trying to impress anyone, who aren’t afraid to be wrong, who are wounded, and flawed.

I’ve been a doormat for most of my life, and I’m tired of being looked down on, and walked over, lied to, and taken advantage of. I tend to take the path of least resistance and it is usually easier to be taken advantage of, then fight.

Pathetic but true.

This forum has been an incredibly important place for me, because it has allowed me to be authentic in a way I am not allowed to be in my day to day life. Here, I am allowed to be quirky and have a sick sense of humor and be contentious on issues of faith and spirituality. I can find people who share my disdain of public places and the masses and my general social ineptitude. My whole life, I have been asked to apologize for these things, but here, it’s okay.

This used to be a safe place for people like me.

So when I see new members pop in and act like they are here to school us, and take advantage of us, and give us no reason to trust them, I get pissed. It’s a reflection of the general inauthenticity I am subjected to everywhere else, and it’s like pissing in my spring water, or befouling my temple.

I think we run the risk of losing the special sense of sanctuary that this forum had created if we allow fakery and role playing as a norm. But maybe that doesn't concern other members? I peronally would probably find myself coming here less if it became unclear what people's motives were for being here. (though obviously those motives vary).

I find it really odd that people who don't find MBTI a useful classification system or who claim not to conform to any stereotyped INTP fight so hard to be here - why? If we're so wonderful to be around then treat this place with a little respect!!