[Zziggywolf5]

This topic has mentions of so many pathetic little children I don't know if I should laugh or cry...

However, I have to counter Aaron a bit. I am a shy person.
Anyway, I suspect a lot of people harvest friends to seem cooler on MySpace, Facebook, or whatever the heck cool people use now.

[Ruckus Fox]

I'm horrendously shy too...but the fact that you're using a computer to communicate changes everything. It can make me robust and independent. The internet is fickle like that.

--Ruckus

[Aaron]

Yes, people are bold on the Internet. Perhaps too bold. IME/IMO, people should act like themselves in any medium.

[Master Of Stuff]

Yes, people are bold on the Internet. Perhaps too bold. IME/IMO, people should act like themselves in any medium.

Quoted for freaking truth.

Some people can't really be themselves in public, but at the same time they overcompensate and Choose not to be themselves on the internet. Which is really worse? :\

[Ruckus Fox]

"The fake real...or the real fake. Which is real?"
--Net Slum denizen, .Hack//Infection

[Res]

Yes, people are bold on the Internet. Perhaps too bold. IME/IMO, people should act like themselves in any medium.

Quoted for freaking truth.

Some people can't really be themselves in public, but at the same time they overcompensate and Choose not to be themselves on the internet. Which is really worse? :\

There isn't a worse. Think about it. If that's the case, then people can't really know what they're like at all. If they can't be themselves in real life, and they don't act like themselves online, how do they know what kind of person they are?

[Dragonman]

No one can hurt you when you're communicating online, so it's much easier to do or say things that you wouldn't normally in person. You just have to keep your wits with you while communicating online, especially with people you know in real life. At the time, when you're online, you may feel able to say something, but you have to remember that once you're offline and see that person again, it could be a different situation.

[Maxi]

I know I can't be like I am on here outside for the fact I can't do anything other than have panic attacks while in crowds in town. Coupled with the fact I don't actually know anyone worth knowing in this town means that I get 99% of what I consider my most positive friendships over MSN.

If I had the money, I'd be over actually meeting the people I call friends face to face as soon as possible.

[bookie]

a lot of people in this world are morons, the people with over 150 friends probably dont actually know any of them whatsoever
sometimes people lie because they have a need to, look at me, im a pathological liar, i went so far as to lie about my age here (don't worry its not too severe, ive essentially said im 1 year older than i really am) but i have a reason too, most people who know me online do not actually know me, they merely know the persona i invented for the sole purpose of knowing me, the same goes for real life but thats a different story altogether.
and to put my two cents out there to the OP, people like that are not worth knowing or talking to whatsoever so just flat out tell her you refuse to have any contact with her ever again. statements like that will make her understand exactly what she did wrong

[Elvenblader]

The setting takes place in the middle of March '08. The story about how a single person's lie could have impacted my entire life--for worse.

This is kind of an epiphany that I've had recently...a situation that brought me down to earth and helped my fragile teenaged soul to realize how vulnerable I really am...and how vulnerable you should be too. Also, it's a bit of an update of my recent life.

Picture yours truly, sitting at his computer, lounging one Tuesday evening. Nothing is going on--so I'm browsing around facebook. I get a notification. "New Friend Request." I click it and observe. It's a younger girl from my school. Says she's single and looking for a relationship. Now...I've never heard of this girl. But she's kind of cute. Those that know me should know that I don't say that about all girls...I have strict criteria to fill--and I definitely wouldn't take her over an equally handsome guy. So I accepted the friend request and observed her profile. Looks like she was new...and I mean -brand new-. She had two other friends than me, both guys that I didn't know. I assumed they were all Freshmen...since...heh. I don't know the new kids at all. I move to her wall. It's empty. So I fill out a post following the lines of "Hey, cutie." and "Welcome to facebook."

Soon after she sends me an inbox message on facebook, telling me to add her to MSN. I do so. Immediately after, we start talking. She's...really not very bright at all. She's tall for her age, she drinks in private, and she cuts herself to solve her emotional issues. Problem is...she's totally interested in me. I let her toy with the idea for a while and let her dream. There's no crime in that--or is there? After a while of talking, I finally pop the big question that was bugging me in the back of my mind.

"So...are you a Freshman? I've never heard of you before."
"No. I'm from the Jr. High."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm from G.M.M.S. (Georgia Morris Middle School)"
"...Then...how old are you?"
"Fourteen."
"..."
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Holy s**t!"
"...Yeah..."
"What grade are you?"
"I'm a Junior."
"What's that?"
"*facepalm* Eleventh Grade."
"I'm only Eighth."

Now the state laws state that minors (Under the age of 17) can engage in sexual intercourse with each other so long as each participant is within 3+/- years of each other. For example...legally, I could have intercourse with her right now if I wanted to. If she wanted to. In two months...that changes. It states in South Dakota law that all adults (18+) can be charged for statutory rape of ANY minor (Under the age of 17). Last time I checked, statutory rape is a serious offense and it definitely sticks on your permanent record.

I went back to her facebook page and checked things out. True, she -was- just very tall for her age...and true, her breasts were fairly large for her age (larger than some girls in -my- class...though still B cups), but then it hit me. I looked at schools... T.F. Riggs High (my high school). She lied...she lied about her age. About her school. And apparently...all of her friends did too.

For those of you that don't know, facebook was made for college kids but was later altered for high school kids. It is AGAINST THEIR POLICY to allow anyone younger than ninth grade. She not only lied to me, she lied to facebook. She wasn't able to list her middle school because it's not a valid option. It's not facebook's fault--they have regulations!

So here I am, trying to cope and let this girl down easy. But at the same time...I want to hurt her. I want to let her drop. She speaks and acts like she knows love. She's had multiple boyfriends and she lost her virginity when she was drunk. No condom, big surprise, where's the sex-ed money going these days? So...I turn 18 in about a month and a half. May 4th. I don't plan on being remotely NEAR her.

Now some of you might find this last paragraph sexist. But god damn it. I can say it; I'm bisexual and I might as well be gay. Women aren't the only people that do this--but on average, they do it a hell of a lot more than guys do. Don't. Lie. About. Your age. I went down that street before. Being mature isn't the number of years you've lived. It's about realizing that you've never lived a minute until you're honest.

Don't lie. Try not to lie. White lies are fine--this. This is not a white lie. Don't let this stuff happen to you.

On a side note--paintball season is starting up soon and I've got a new gun and load out for it. I'll be sure to take pictures and a video or two! Expect to see "Sijon 2: The Vixen Defender" appear. The gun itself is an Evil Omen (Evil: Brand; Gun type: Omen) if you want to do some research of your own.

--Ruckus

*Smacks my own forehead in a oh boy way* Alright Ruckus, I must say you have realized a hard lesson that most peeps don't get to until later in their life. Welcome to the dangers of online. We can discuss more later, but next time, I repeat, never ever put her happiness before yours. If she threatens to kill herself or something because you might leave her, don't even waste your time. There is a reason why you can click the remove and block button. It's the power of a computer.

Good lesson a lot of people need to learn. Myspace is the new Lie Space, Facebook is the new stomping ground of liars and posers. I say send it into damnation.
Lie space motto: Come in, be who your not! (P.S. Insecurities and fake personalities encouraged.)

[Ruckus Fox]

You don't have to tell me twice. After a most becoming dream I had two nights ago, I can safely say that I'm done with women. Oh sure...I can tease and flirt with them. But I'm done. I'm all about the guys from here on out.

--Ruckus

[Elvenblader]

Ruckus my man, you are about the anime. I have to say man you shouldn't give up on women yet. Believe it or not, I have learned over the past 6 months that its not just about how you are with women but its also atmosphere. If an atmosphere is inviting and welcoming, people are more likely to be open and honest rather than sedated and inclined to only talk to friends. I will delve into that if you like Ruckus, but be careful man and don't say never.

[Ruckus Fox]

Ruckus my man, you are about the anime. I have to say man you shouldn't give up on women yet. Believe it or not, I have learned over the past 6 months that its not just about how you are with women but its also atmosphere. If an atmosphere is inviting and welcoming, people are more likely to be open and honest rather than sedated and inclined to only talk to friends. I will delve into that if you like Ruckus, but be careful man and don't say never.

I never liked "Fifel's Story." So I'm inclined to keep Never as a part of my vocabulary.

Atmospheres and chakras are parts of everyone. Not just women. If you can sense anger in the room, it's probably not best to be layin' around on people, bappin' them in the face playfully. That's just a given.

--Ruckus

[Nazē.]

Do you think online sites such as those are the only places people are able to put on false faces?

It isn't just that MySpace or Facebook are as such, it's that the real world is in such a state as well.

Do you think people you come across in real life are who you think they are? Sure, it's harder to lie about one's school when you attend the same one. But really, those things aren't very important at all.

[Zziggywolf5]

You don't have to tell me twice. After a most becoming dream I had two nights ago, I can safely say that I'm done with women. Oh sure...I can tease and flirt with them. But I'm done. I'm all about the guys from here on out.

--Ruckus

I seriously doubt you won't find liars like that in male company.