"Catfish" (fake internet identities)

[serious crayons]

In connection with the "Manti Te’o’s fake dead girlfriend" story, here's a list from Slate of longform stories in various magazines (i.e. Wired, the New Yorker) about other "catfish." That, apparently, is internetese for a fake identity that interacts with others on social media.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/longform/2013/01/manti_te_o_and_other_internet_hoaxes_a_longform_collection.html

And for anyone wondering about the origins of "catfish," Slate once again comes through:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/01/18/catfish_meaning_and_definition_term_for_online_hoaxes_has_a_surprisingly.html

Not including the first half of the last story explaining the term, I haven't read any of these stories (including, not closely at least, the Manti Te'o one), but I believe I've had some catfishy experiences in my time using social media. How about you guys?

In any case, I am glad to know the term (the movie Catfish was pretty good, too, fyi). It's even more fun than "sock puppet" -- and I know for sure I have met at least one of those.

[delalluvia]

My sister was telling me the story behind the Catfish TV show when she was up for holidays and I was just listening with one ear, thinking to myself, "How stupid.  The internet has been around how long now?  And people STILL believe what people on the other end of the computer tell them, sight unseen?  What idiots."

[Jeff Wrangler]

How on earth can you consider someone your "girlfriend" when you've never even met her face to face?  Not even a video chat?

If this should in fact turn out to be true (which I think is unlikely), then I guess anyone can get into Notre Dame, as long as you're a great football player. 

Not unsurprisingly, I'm seeing a lot of speculation that Manti Te'o is gay and the whole "girlfriend" business was something of an Internet "beard." 

[Penthesilea]

What? Do you want to tell me your name is not really Serious Crayons? And Della's not Della? And Jeff is not a jeep? And me? Am I not the one and only queen of the Amazons? - I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!
(Sorry, I know it's not the same, but I just couldn't help it)

[serious crayons]

What? Do you want to tell me your name is not really Serious Crayons? And Della's not Della? And Jeff is not a jeep? And me? Am I not the one and only queen of the Amazons? - I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!
(Sorry, I know it's not the same, but I just couldn't help it)

I know you're joking, but I have met at least one Brokie, possibly two, who I either know or suspect in RL did not at all resemble the identity they presented for themselves.

Usernames are a little different. Among the people who almost always go by their usernames, even if I know their real names I tend to think of them by their usernames. By any other name, they smell a sweet.

[Jeff Wrangler]

And Jeff is not a jeep?

Of course not! I'm a pair of pants!   

[delalluvia]

Of course not! I'm a pair of pants!   

 

[milomorris]

At least y'all know I'm real.

[serious crayons]

At least y'all know I'm real.

Yes, I've always been impressed by your willingness to be open about your RL identity. 

[Luvlylittlewing]

Yes, I've always been impressed by your willingness to be open about your RL identity. 

And I'm still wondering about a mutual "friend" of ours -- you know who I mean, right? 

[serious crayons]

And I'm still wondering about a mutual "friend" of ours -- you know who I mean, right? 

Oh Marie, not only do I know exactly who you mean, I was so hoping you'd see this thread and respond that I almost messaged you about it! That friend was one of the one or two Brokies I mentioned a couple of posts ago. At least one of the Brokies was pretty widely exposed as a catfish. As for the other, the one you're referring to, I will probably remain forever mystified.

[delalluvia]

Not including the first half of the last story explaining the term, I haven't read any of these stories (including, not closely at least, the Manti Te'o one), but I believe I've had some catfishy experiences in my time using social media. How about you guys?

In any case, I am glad to know the term (the movie Catfish was pretty good, too, fyi). It's even more fun than "sock puppet" -- and I know for sure I have met at least one of those.

A' friend' of mine on the internet used to like to meet women online (I say 'friend' because I cannot confirm a lot of what he tells me).  He met a few in RL - including me - when we flew to London and met him.  He did mention that many times, the women he met in RL did not at all match the personalities he knew from the internet.  He and I suspected that many people feel protected and thus freer to act from behind a computer than they are in RL.  One woman he said seemed angry the whole time during the visit, as if he'd 'unmasked' her.

He did say I seemed to him to be exactly the same in RL as behind my user name.

[Jeff Wrangler]

A' friend' of mine on the internet used to like to meet women online (I say 'friend' because I cannot confirm a lot of what he tells me).  He met a few in RL - including me - when we flew to London and met him.  He did mention that many times, the women he met in RL did not at all match the personalities he knew from the internet.  He and I suspected that many people feel protected and thus freer to act from behind a computer than they are in RL.  One woman he said seemed angry the whole time during the visit, as if he'd 'unmasked' her.

If she was going to react that way, I wonder why on earth she agreed to meet him? 

Oh Marie, not only do I know exactly who you mean, I was so hoping you'd see this thread and respond that I almost messaged you about it! That friend was one of the one or two Brokies I mentioned a couple of posts ago. At least one of the Brokies was pretty widely exposed as a catfish. As for the other, the one you're referring to, I will probably remain forever mystified.

 

[delalluvia]

If she was going to react that way, I wonder why on earth she agreed to meet him?  

Maybe she attempted to live up to her own internet persona and then discovered she couldn't?

[Jeff Wrangler]

Maybe she attempted to live up to her own internet persona and then discovered she couldn't?

Possible.

[CellarDweller]

We've had a few "catfish" on DCF, I'm sure every online forum gets them.

Most get found out, but there are a few who stay forever hidden.

[Shakesthecoffecan]

The Chris. 

[serious crayons]

The Chris. 

Yes, the late Chris.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Yes, the late Chris.