How Do You Feel About Catfish?

I think catfish should be battered and deep fried.

I get pretending. But, i had friendships i belived were real, shared pics, learned about each others families.... only to find out 5 years in all the pics had been pinched from someone elses Insta acc. I was terribly upset at the time.

Oh I remember 10 years ago so well. And my experience with you at that time has shaped my attitude toward online relationships in general. I see how EP/SW helped you find your voice and your truth. This place had real, tangible value for you. For that, I am very happy. 🙏

But yes, as you said, there are a LOT of people on here and online in general for whom the online identity does not match the IRL identity. Is this a problem? Well, I think you nailed it. Is the intent to manipulate and control people? Or is it simply to find a place to live your truth?

When I first found EP through Google searches on life and love and sexuality, I was quickly horrified by what I found. If not for a few very early friends (Beth, Kelley, others) I wouldn't have lasted a week before running for the hills. But they impressed upon me the importance of protecting myself here. And taught me skills.

So, yeah, today I don't presume that anyone is who they say they are. I take them at face value and I protect myself against manipulation. And within that framework, I make friends, like you! :)

To me I think its a huge waste of time to pretend to be something you ain't.

For me what you see is what you get. I don't have the time or energy to be someone else.

I did the account verification, even a post holding a sign with my name and the date. Plus a couple of members are on my Facebook which has my family, friends, and coworkers.

There's nothing wrong with anonymity - It's when you deliberately try to trick people is when it becomes a problem.
You can remain anonymous without stealing someone else's identity.

Ive encountered alot of fake people online but just go with it.
I really dont care because this site is just for entertainment purposes anyway.

They don’t bother me.

Occasionally I get blocked. Usually by American Fundamentalists. If that helps them on their way to God, I don’t mind. The Spirituality forum seems to be full of people who argue all the time, and have no inner peace.
I know one person who I helped blocked me and write something untrue I cannot defend.

So if catfish chooses to comment on my posts about the concerts I go to, books I read, or watercolours I paint, I simply don’t mind. There are far worse people than catfish on here, intolerant, or not at peace.

Some people lie about names and ages and genders and are truthful about most else what they share.
Some are truthful about names and ages and genders and lie about most else what they share.

People will always do what serves their agenda.
Each one of us has a duty to taking responsibility in our choices. That includes getting duped by another. There is a reason people get catfished. And it's not just because catfish exist.

Some are harmlessly engaging in a fiction that makes them happy. But the scammers should be run off the site.

I am also me,i do not pretend to be someone else.
I feel sorry for these people,it comes from self-hatred/low self-esteem. It's sw,you can be yourself with your kinks and weirdness
I do not get it🤷‍♀️

I don't assume people are fake, but I do wish to avoid catfish. I want to be accepting, but also, it's lying. Maybe I just don't want more fakes and liars in my life.

I get it to a point, using an online platform to express yourself in ways you can’t really in your real life. But when it comes to manipulating others that’s when it’s a problem for me.

I like to be anonymous to a point, unless I talk with someone for a decent amount of time. But I am pretty much how who I am both here and in my day to day life. Some thoughts and feelings I find better to express to strangers online, that’s about it.

I can only be me. When I try being something,someone else the real me comes out sooner or later. So just being me

I don’t pay much attention to them. But I also don’t get invested to many here.

While I acknowledge that some people may struggle with low self-esteem, catfishing isn't the ideal way to address it—what exactly does it do, and won't it only make you feel worse? It isn't you; it's someone else, and using someone else's identity is wrong in the first place. It betrays those who have taken the time to get to know you, and the damage to trust is severe.

Sometimes I think it might be the other way around. There are those who spend their entire 'real world' life pretending to be someone they are not. Their online persona allows them to let their true inner personality free! We are each the sum of our true substance, if being 'fake' is who you are, be the best version of your fake self and keep it real.... or something?

I am really me. I am really an angelic opossum

Maybe we are a little paranoid about the subject.

You don’t have much trust or faith in humanity, do you?

It’s a pity. Personally, I have only one profile and it’s just me.

People can take it or leave it. 🤷‍♂️

Online almost everyone has a mystery or several. Nobody is really who they claim to be.

I guess everyone needs an outlet.

A persona, a new identity for some.

Not morally correct, but understandable.


I am 💯 me, cloaked in anonymity.


:)

I couldn't care less. Not like I am going to meet or date anyone on a forum.

I think people hold others to too high a standard.

No one's story on here affects my life nor livelihood so it does not matter.

I know some people believe some online lover and send them money and all that. I do not know why. People should know by now that there are a lot of catfish online.

The ones getting romantically catfished are delusional. They have no luck in the real world of dating, so did they really think Mr. or Ms. Wonderful was going to show up on a forum? Especially THIS one? 🤨

I don’t mind catfish. If i trust a sweep, especially gender and age-that’s my problem.

It's despicable.

I also think it's possible some who admitted to being a catfish actually were who they showed but claimed that in an attempt to protect their identity and to get rid of undesirable people that bothered them on here.

Pretty much this.

I think it's fine until they start asking for information or start demanding attention. I've talked to a few that just want adult conversation and that is fine sometimes. It's all fantasy and I can go with that.

If they are pretending to escape a difficult reality I don't worry. As long as no attempt to be truly deceitful and take advantage of someone.

I'm pretty much me but surely there is a difference I project on here even unconsciously and the me on real life.

I call everyone here my imaginary acquaintances

By the way, I'm suspicious of a catfish potentially trying to befriend me
I don't know if they are or not, but I'm a little suspicious

A lot of us have catfished in a way on some site but I’ve never done it here.

Tastes good 😋🐟 🎣

So catfishing is Google, Facebook, MSN, Yahoo, Instagram, TikTok, and so on

They all lied to us and then lost (sold) our data

I’m actually the president of the Russia federation 🤫

I drop them once I find them... I prefer talking to real, genuine people.

I’m who I am. Not a fan of catfishing. Would rather folks just be honest.

Don't care, its the internet

Not good eatin

Great show!

if they aren't actively trying to scam someone it's kinda sus

I think it pretty 💩 behavior pretending to be someone else and stealing another person’s photos.

When those online dating websites first came out my friend got scammed and she was heart broken.

If I see one I will call them out. I understand wanting to be anonymous online and that’s okay but lying and manipulating someone is wrong.

It’s not even about stealing photos either. There are people who have made up complete lies about their whole lies, it’s so wrong.

I am who I say I am, I am verified and o do t have the energy to pretend to be anything I am not.

I am glad you found yourself.

Honestly, I don’t really care. I’m not looking for a husband, I’m not lending or borrowing any money, and I’m unlikely to visit with anyone. Online friendship is definitely possible, but even I keep my public posts relatively neutral.

I'm more of a cod guy.

Filleted and beer battered, they're good with hush puppies and onion rings.