People online are not who they say they are... (choice, mission)

[Faint]

...I should know. I recently signed up for myspace, and discovered how boring and ridiculous the site is. So, in a spirit of discordianism, I decided to shake things up a little and do some social experiments. I posted pictures of a friend I've known since high school (with her permission) of her back when she was age 16 (nothing pornographic obviously, just basic snapshots). Then I created a faux profile, listing her age as 19, saying she's a college student, in a distant zip code, loves poetry and Johnny Depp movies, blah blah blah.

Within three hours, the fake girl ("Lori") had already generated over 50 "new friend requests" and almost as many "new messages" (every one of which were male, of course). Some were mild but lame, "I like your profile. We have a lot in common" (when the profiles could be polar opposites) or "I like your pictures. You should be a model." or "Are you seeing anyone?"; some were stupid, "Hey sexy!" or "Hey, how have you been?" (this from a stranger); some were too rauncy to write here. Most of these guys say they're in their mid to late twenties.

It's not that I expect to learn much from this experiment (I don't even know if it can be called an experiment). I already know the basics like:
1) Guys say stupid s*** to flirt with girls.
2) Older dudes are still attracted to girls who look obviously underage.
3) Guys say A LOT of stupid s*** to flirt with girls.
4) People online are not who they appear to be, but in some cases more truthful than they are in day to day life.
5) There seem to be more guys on myspace looking for a date (or just sex) than girls.

So ultimately, it was just amusing to see what other guys write to girls, and how bad they are at introductions. And it has further enforced my conviction never to try online dating.

Anyway, what do you think of this little action of mine? Unethical? Stupid? Brilliant fun?

[Buttercup]

I think you should lead some of these pervs on.....and then keep us updated!

[Faint]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I think you should lead some of these pervs on.....and then keep us updated!

In what way and who would you want me to lead on?

[Quiddity]

I'd say over 75% of that site is bogus info.

[Buttercup]

Are you wanting to take this whole my space experiment further? Or is what has happened so far all you need for satisfaction?

If you are interested in pursuing the whole thing further I would lead some of these old guys on.....and then at some point tell them how sick they are and that you have their IP address and will report them to the police.

Sounds devilishly fun if you have the time.......

[Faint]

Originally Posted by Victor

I'd say over 75% of that site is bogus info.

I'd agree. P.S.--is your avatar one of the dudes from Depeche Mode?

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Are you wanting to take this whole my space experiment further? Or is what has happened so far all you need for satisfaction?

I doubt I'll go much further with it. I already know there's plenty of pedophiles lurking around. Maybe I'll just reply to a few with some seering, male-insider psychological comments to mess with them because I'm wicked and scheming that way. I'll leave the sting operations to the authorities.

Originally Posted by YmirGF

I think it is therefore, "fair game".

Do you think that people on these sites should have little if no expectation that who they are contacting is actually who that person says s/he is?

Originally Posted by YmirGF

I have always felt a more than a bit sad for people "looking for love" over the internet.

It is sad that some of them don't have the "game" to meet people in the real world. I wonder if there is more of a trend right now towards online dating as opposed to people going out to clubs/bars/coffee shops to meet people?

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Faint, this 15 year old kid almost pee'd himself in front of me. His attack had been so vigorous that he looked as if he was going to faint, as I watched him "connecting the dots". Needless to say, I resisted throttling him, but he did apologize as effusively as he had attacked me.

The whole point is that that was my wakeup call about people you meet on the net. That authority, might just be some geeky kid who wouldn't pick a fight in real life, if his life depended on it. But they come across like gang-busters when in front of their keyboard.

I think people do this when they're in their cars too. I might cut someone off on the freeway from time to time and they'll drive real fast along side of me, maybe flip me off or yell something through their closed window. These people are funny. Half the time it's some post-middle-aged woman, or some scrawny, accountant looking dude. You just know those people wouldn't even react at all if you were face to face. People get brave when they think they can just drive away or hide behind their computer, as you say.

[Quiddity]

Originally Posted by Faint

I'd agree. P.S.--is your avatar one of the dudes from Depeche Mode?

No, it's the guy from the movie "Powder".

[evearael]

Interesting experiment... not at all surprising. I would tip off the authorities or myspace if there are any excessive bouts of lewdness, though I don't know about myspace policies and such. I don't bother to lie online, ethics aside it's too much record keeping and I'm absent-minded, though I presume everyone else does.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Faint

Anyway, what do you think of this little action of mine? Unethical? Stupid? Brilliant fun?

If you thought it was fun and/ or learned something from it, then I'm all for it! I don't imagine, from your description, that you'll wind up hurting anyone's feelings, so I don't see any harm in it.

I've never really been on MySpace, and now I doubt that I'll be going. I can't see any point in making friends with people based on their idea of themselves, which is why I love RF so much. I don't think there are too many people who've been here for a while that would care to make up things about themselves.

I see only one risk in this venture, Faint. You could get hit on by a member of Homeland Security!

[Buttons*]

.... i have a slight confession to make.

My name's not Ashley, It's Joe....

I'm a fat old man from Detroit... and i'm sorry i've led you all on for so long! Oh, and I'm atheist.