Posters as posers. Does it matter?

[rthnck]

It happens all the time. Someone posts and someone else responds and accuses the OP of not being who they say they are. An ALT with few posts, a male posting as a female, a female pretending she has a penis. Sometimes it's done for good reason. The poster wants to delve into the way the other side sees an issue or is more comfortable posing the question from a certain viewpoint and sometimes it's a goof or prank just meant to stir the waters (like tossing chum into shark-infested waters). So the question is...

Does it matter?

Personally it's the content of the post and the responses that provide the entertainment value as well as pique my intellectual curiosity.

 

[done_got_old]

It happens all the time. Someone posts and someone else responds and accuses the OP of not being who they say they are. An ALT with few posts, a male posting as a female, a female pretending she has a penis. Sometimes it's done for good reason. The poster wants to delve into the way the other side sees an issue or is more comfortable posing the question from a certain viewpoint and sometimes it's a goof or prank just meant to stir the waters (like tossing chum into shark-infested waters). So the question is...

Does it matter?

Personally it's the content of the post and the responses that provide the entertainment value as well as pique my intellectual curiosity.

I don't care who/what they are. This is LIT and not real life.

 

[AgonySceneGirl]

i agree with done got old.

 

[Moist_Mary]

My guess is there are multiple reasons.

1) There are a near infinite number of trolls/alts. It has made the place very jaded and cynical.

2) Most people want to believe, but because of #1, they can't allow themselves too. Too bad too. Wow, too many uses of the word too there. Anyway, it prevents them from enjoying what could be, and is for most of us that don't try so hard to figure it out.

3) I think the biggest reason, in some cases, is because they are intimidated by the new person. I have been accused of being someone else. Mostly by incredibly insecure folks.

3a) Men that are intimidated because I can be articulate, hold my own in a debate, and discuss generally 'manly' topics like politics and science. It pisses them off they they can't impress me with their superior knowledge. Or if I don't immediately drop to my knees to worship them and their cock.

3b) The insecure women that don't like the fact that a woman can hold her own. When an intelligent woman garners the attention of men they have been chasing for months, it makes them look and feel somehow inferior.

3c) The generally insecure and socially retarded masses that have trouble relating to others. In any context. If you are not part of their private little clique, then you are an outsider. Someone tht must be a fraud. It's a way to keep you from being invited into their private little club, those diluting each of their own worth in said pity party.

There is fun to be had, and even some genuine people around. But they can be hard to find. Once they are found, they are more appreciated for their uniqueness here on Lit.

But then, what the hell do I know. I'm just an alt anyway. Which is to say, you stay far away from me and never believe anything I say...

So I have been told.

 

[done_got_old]

My guess is there are multiple reasons.

1) There are a near infinite number of trolls/alts. It has made the place very jaded and cynical.

2) Most people want to believe, but because of #1, they can't allow themselves too. Too bad too. Wow, too many uses of the word too there. Anyway, it prevents them from enjoying what could be, and is for most of us that don't try so hard to figure it out.

3) I think the biggest reason, in some cases, is because they are intimidated by the new person. I have been accused of being someone else. Mostly by incredibly insecure folks. Are you telling me that there are insecure people online? I never would have guessed!

3a) Men that are intimidated because I can be articulate, hold my own in a debate, and discuss generally 'manly' topics like politics and science. It pisses them off they they can't impress me with their superior knowledge. Or if I don't immediately drop to my knees to worship them and their cock. Which means you're a man posing as a woman!

3b) The insecure women that don't like the fact that a woman can hold her own. When an intelligent woman garners the attention of men they have been chasing for months, it makes them look and feel somehow inferior. I still have problems with people chasing one another online. That's something we used to do in real life. Times have changed.

3c) The generally insecure and socially retarded masses that have trouble relating to others. In any context. If you are not part of their private little clique, then you are an outsider. Someone that must be a fraud. It's a way to keep you from being invited into their private little club, those diluting each of their own worth in said pity party. Oh god how I hate pity parties.

There is fun to be had, and even some genuine people around. But they can be hard to find. Once they are found, they are more appreciated for their uniqueness here on Lit. I'm genuinely _ _ _ _ _ _!

But then, what the hell do I know. I'm just an alt anyway. Which is to say, you stay far away from me and never believe anything I say... Are you one of my alts? I have so many that I've forgotten. Perhaps I posted this earlier......

So I have been told.

Now I return you to your regularly scheduled post. It's time for my pre-afternoon nap.

 

[SweetErika]

I don't care who/what they are. This is LIT and not real life.

I respect your opinion, but I disagree.

For me, Lit is part of my real life. I learn and interact just as I do in many other venues. I've forged relationships with and met others who are very real. It's just a different way to meet people and discuss subjects that interest me, and in general, I don't find those people or discussions to be any less valid or meaningful than those I find other ways. People I meet offline first can lie and hurt me just as much as those I meet online first, so there's no difference in that regard either (although I do recognize it can be easier to lie and be fooled online).

As for the original question, I'd say whether posters are being honest or not matters somewhat/sometimes. I really value honesty, so it matters to me in that regard. I also think it's shitty for someone to use an alt or lie to harm, spread hatred or waste people's time (as is the case with those who pretend to be someone else or ask a question just to get wanking material). And I'm not cool with people spinning a web of lies and luring others in for friendship or more based on those lies/that false persona because I've seen how badly that behavior can hurt good people (even those with a whole lot of common sense who are careful).

But in the case of someone misrepresenting themselves because they're uncomfortable asking a genuine question and the misrepresentation isn't likely to affect the answers they get, or have a genuine interest in seeing things from a different perspective, for example, it doesn't bother me. Probably because that behavior rarely hurts others and there's no malicious intent behind it.

For my own part, I tend to cautiously take people at face value. If there's little history or something seems off, I do some investigating and consider whether interacting with them is worth my time. If it comes out they lied for a reason I don't feel good about, I generally write them off as not worth my time and avoid future interaction.

 

[Cathleen]

I agree with Erika, perhaps more strongly. I don't have the slightest interest in being someone other than the true me. I'm genuine here, with a bit more caution than when I arrived. I've found true, honest, caring people with whom I know I can share private thoughts.

If one uses an ALT to ask a personal question, etc then no problem but if the true reason is to hurt others or cause trouble then it's a problem. Unfortunately my radar isn't all that great at times.

My integrity matters to me, and honesty matters a great deal too. For any poster, not just an OP.

 

[OzoneRed]

I voted option #1: posers are losers.

I'd like to submit a related question: how many of the women who will reply in this thread are really men?

 

[bailadora]

I don't have the slightest interest in being someone other than the true me. I'm genuine here....

This is me as well. I've never been good at pretending, so it wouldn't occur to me to use an alt to ask a question. If I'm seeking a male perspective, I'll just out right ask for it. I guess if someone feels the need to use an alt to pose a question or start a discussion because of the embarrassment factor, then go ahead as long as it follows the "and harm none" rule. But honestly, I just don't understand the need. *shrug*