Do You Generally Believe Posters on the BBS?

[Kirk's_Tights]

As for me - my Internets principle is this: If I wouldn't say it to someone's face in real life, then the same applies here.

That's not always easy, either. The way I talk here is how I talk irl. If someone pisses me off, I tell them off, just like I do on any other given day, but people like to assume it's just me being e-tough on the net so even when you are being yourself, people don't believe you.

I mean, I don't tell people off 24/7 and I don't do it much on the net, either, unless someone REALLY pisses me off, but I still get stupid shit thrown at me about being on a high horse, etc. just because I am more open than they are. I don't think I am better than anyone else but I speak my mind because I am not afraid to.

 

[ITL]

As for me - my Internets principle is this: If I wouldn't say it to someone's face in real life, then the same applies here.

That's not always easy, either. The way I talk here is how I talk irl. If someone pisses me off, I tell them off, just like I do on any other given day, but people like to assume it's just me being e-tough on the net so even when you are being yourself, people don't believe you.

Good point!

 

[Zulu Romeo]

As for me - my Internets principle is this: If I wouldn't say it to someone's face in real life, then the same applies here.

That's not always easy, either. The way I talk here is how I talk irl. If someone pisses me off, I tell them off, just like I do on any other given day, but people like to assume it's just me being e-tough on the net so even when you are being yourself, people don't believe you.

I mean, I don't tell people off 24/7 and I don't do it much on the net, either, unless someone REALLY pisses me off, but I still get stupid shit thrown at me about being on a high horse, etc. just because I am more open than they are. I don't think I am better than anyone else but I speak my mind because I am not afraid to.

Regardless of how the others online are, it's still the same principle - do unto others on the Net as you would do in real life. (How you do unto others, however, depends on how you are.) But yeah, people online are more inclined to be more obtuse behind all that anonymity - which is not to say people in real life don't act that way of course.

 

[FrontLine]

Ive learned over the years that some folks on a BBS are the same as they are IRL. Some are tolls or acts. Eventually you figure out who is who.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I generally think people are telling the truth, but I have a pretty well-tuned bullshit meter that helps in other cases (and, in my case, I have access to the BR, so I know at least some of the people here who are lying).

It's why I love going to meetups. You get to see people and find out that quite a few of them are exactly like they appear on this board (the ones who lie generally don't go to meetups).

A perfect example is guys pretending to be girls to get attention or if it's in a forum that has a rep system so they can get a lot of positive rep. In my many years in forums, I can't even count how many people have been busted for stealing chick's pics from myspace or elsewhere and saying that is who they are.

Yep, that's the example I was thinking of. Interestingly enough, there was more than person who thought you might be one of them

 

[Jayson]

I asume most people are honest, because it's the internet. Why lie on the internet? I mean I could come here and pretend like I am cool and I got hot babes coming over day and night but what would be the point? I do think alot of people are like me in that they are a little more open about their thoughts and feelings than they would be with people the encounter in the real world. It's okay for you guys to know some of the wierd stuff, for example, running thorugh my mind because if your going to judge me it's at least is from a distance. I wouldn't want my mom or sister's to know some of the stuff I think about though. I asume most people are like me in this regard.

Jason

Um...the fact that it is the internet is more of a reason for people to lie. You don't have to be face to face with anyone and no one knows you personally so you can make your life sound better than it really is and no one will know that it's not true because they don't know you.

A perfect example is guys pretending to be girls to get attention or if it's in a forum that has a rep system so they can get a lot of positive rep. In my many years in forums, I can't even count how many people have been busted for stealing chick's pics from myspace or elsewhere and saying that is who they are.

My suspicions arise when a girl joins a forum and posts a pic when she doesn't even have 10 posts yet. One 'girl' the other day posted her pic on her 3rd post so someone asked her to take a picture holding a sign with the forum name on it and 'she' magically disappeared and hasn't logged in since (plus, you gotta know this forum, all these guys get banned and come back pretending to be girls so we know it's them). Two other 'girls' refused to hold a sign and another girl posted a bunch of pics but then said her 'camera was broken'. Funny how your camera works long enough to take 30 pictures but suddenly breaks when you're asked to prove you are the person in the picture.

It just bothers me that people go taking pictures from somewhere and saying it is them. I had it done to me on MySpace years ago where some idiot took my picture and used it as their picture so I reported them and MySpace deleted their profile. It's just a stupid thing to do. I know when you put your pics online, people will do things with them and you can't really stop it but people should have some decency to fuck off and not steal someone else's identity just to get noticed in a forum.

While you can get away with a lie on the internet, it still doesn't change the fact that you yourself would still know the truth. I mean it sucks having to lie in real life. Why would anyone want to have to deal with all that in their internet life. It's kind of remind me of why I never used a dual. I could make a really great thread, using a dual but then it wouldn't be me getting the credit. It would be some fictional fake version of me. Where is the fun of getting praise from a lie or acceptance or anything that a person is looking for on the internet?

It seems like people would be much more happier, trying to be themselves in one place where they be even more open and honest than they can sometimes in their own real lives. In away the internet is sort of like going to thearpy. At least that is how I look it at times. Eveyone has issue's they don't want to be broadcast to their family or friends. While you can make friends on the internet it's still not the same as being with people you interact with in your life outside of the interweb.

Jason

 

[Crusher Disciple]

I believe everybody but FrontLine. He's a lying m*$&erf*#&er.

 

[Santaman]

I've seen too much rubbish in the last 10 years or so to believe anyone on a BBS, except when something is said by someone I know very very well.

 

[trampledamage]

*shrugs* It's way too much effort to lie and even more effort to care whether anyone else is lieing so I assume they're telling the truth. It's just talk anyway most of the time. So if someone asks for help, I answer them genuinely - where's the harm.

If you all want to make stuff up, go wild. What difference does it make to me?

 

[Mallory]

I generally think people are telling the truth, but I have a pretty well-tuned bullshit meter that helps in other cases (and, in my case, I have access to the BR, so I know at least some of the people here who are lying).

That's pretty much my position as well.

 

[Kirk's_Tights]

Yep, that's the example I was thinking of. Interestingly enough, there was more than person who thought you might be one of them

haha, really? Good thing I posted my pic with a sign...but I think only people in TNZ saw it.

While you can get away with a lie on the internet, it still doesn't change the fact that you yourself would still know the truth. I mean it sucks having to lie in real life. Why would anyone want to have to deal with all that in their internet life. It's kind of remind me of why I never used a dual. I could make a really great thread, using a dual but then it wouldn't be me getting the credit. It would be some fictional fake version of me. Where is the fun of getting praise from a lie or acceptance or anything that a person is looking for on the internet?

It seems like people would be much more happier, trying to be themselves in one place where they be even more open and honest than they can sometimes in their own real lives. In away the internet is sort of like going to thearpy. At least that is how I look it at times. Eveyone has issue's they don't want to be broadcast to their family or friends. While you can make friends on the internet it's still not the same as being with people you interact with in your life outside of the interweb.

Jason

I know what you're saying but lying on the net and pretending you're happier and cooler than you really are is comforting for some people. They live this pretend e-life of acceptance and leave behind their reality of perhaps not being so happy with their lives. It's just a big fantasy world and if lying about your life in a forum means more people like you, more people will take that opporitunity.

Like most people, I just don't see the point in lying. I act the way I do because it's me, it's my nature, and a lot of people take it the wrong way and assume whatever they want and it's too bad that they don't actually get to know a person before coming up with a general opinion of them.


Actually, a good example is my sig. People like to read it and take it way too seriously because they don't get the sarcasm. As OMG as it may sound to people, I've been with one man my entire life thus far. I don't actually drop my pants for other people.

 

[Chekov's Phaser]

I admit, I have lied.

I'm not actually a Romulan defector...

 

[Middle Earther]

I admit, I have lied.

I'm not actually a Romulan defector...

Does that mean the $1000 I sent you for authentic Romulan Ale was a waste? Damn you!!!!

 

[Daneel]

In general, yes, I believe the posters on Trek BBS are being truthful.

However, without mentioning names, there are some posters I am less-inclined to believe than others.

 

[Kestra]

I'm pleasantly surprised by the majority of these responses.

However, it does make me suddenly feel like deceiving my way across the internet!

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Sure I think most people are telling the truth. It is usually kind of obvious who is trolling or telling a story. Besides I usually just give people back what they want. If they want advice I give them advice. If they have a sad story story I give them sympathy. If hey make a sarcastic joke I'll say a sarcastic joke back. If they are actually lying they're the only one who knows so it's not really that much of a joke on the board is it. Nobody's lost anything by making a simple reply.

I tend to believe people are more honest about themselves on the Internet anyway because of the anonymity. I'ts almost like you are creating a character for yourself. Almost everyone has a fake name here so they can be honest in their negativity. It's actually Dark Journey that considers himself a messed up loser not Matthew. Oh snap I am not anonymous anymore am I?

 

[Aragorn]

Why would anyone ever lie on the internet? When the Nigerian prince who contacted me gives me the $500,000,000 he said he would in his heartfelt e-mail, I'll take you all out to lunch and buy you HDTVs.

 

[RandyS]

People lie constantly. My profile picture could be a lie because guess what...that's not even me! I could be a guy for all you know.

That gorgeous picture isn't you??

Well, my day is shattered. I'm heartbroken.

PLEASE don't tell me your avatar is you. I hope you're cuter than THAT.

I agree with you though. People lie constantly. I lie everytime I say 'hello" for instance.

 

[RandyS]

I also avoid TNZ.

You know, I've never actually gone in there, but I've heard some wild stories from time to time.

If I ever do decide to chance it, should I pack a gun?

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

As for me - my Internets principle is this: If I wouldn't say it to someone's face in real life, then the same applies here.

That's not always easy, either. The way I talk here is how I talk irl. If someone pisses me off, I tell them off, just like I do on any other given day, but people like to assume it's just me being e-tough on the net so even when you are being yourself, people don't believe you.

I mean, I don't tell people off 24/7 and I don't do it much on the net, either, unless someone REALLY pisses me off, but I still get stupid shit thrown at me about being on a high horse, etc. just because I am more open than they are. I don't think I am better than anyone else but I speak my mind because I am not afraid to.

Regardless of how the others online are, it's still the same principle - do unto others on the Net as you would do in real life. (How you do unto others, however, depends on how you are.) But yeah, people online are more inclined to be more obtuse behind all that anonymity - which is not to say people in real life don't act that way of course.

I'm one of those weird people that is just over-sensitive to that kind of stuff even on the Internet. I just don't enjoy the negative banter in threads that other people seem to do. I think I am one of the few people who actually doesn't feed the trolls. Even in TNZ I try and be polite. I have strong opinions on stuff, but I'm like an old blue-nose when it comes to the name calling. It makes me feel bad I think someone and are are just arguing instead of trying to understand each other. I guess it is just my kind of weak personality.