Munchausen syndrome by internet

patchwork_cat

Hermia wrote: »

I think that's because it's easier to attack the messenger than accept you've been conned. I suppose it's the same as a wife attacking a mistress rather than admit that her husband is a scumbag who has chosen to betray her.

I do find it hard to work out why people would send money and gifts to people they have never met in these situations. Especially, because in my experience genuinely needy people are embarrassed to ask for stuff and don't want to put anyone to any trouble. I think the only thing to do is in these situations if offer other help (e.g. information on local organisations who will provide assistance) and see what they say. If the person ignores you or totally dismisses that idea without even trying it I would have my suspicions.

I metioned earlier that this happened to me on Old Style a few months ago. It was very unpleasant the attitudes others had to me. I could not convince them.

notakid

Hermia wrote: »

I do find it hard to work out why people would send money and gifts to people they have never met in these situations. Especially, because in my experience genuinely needy people are embarrassed to ask for stuff and don't want to put anyone to any trouble. I think the only thing to do is in these situations if offer other help (e.g. information on local organisations who will provide assistance) and see what they say. If the person ignores you or totally dismisses that idea without even trying it I would have my suspicions.

I have sent stuff, several times on this forum to people whose stories have touched me. However its never been asked for! They may have thought it was a load of old rubbish!

The people I've sent stuff too I've never met but I'm pretty sure they are real as are their problems, the reason I've sent stuff is because as I've said I've been moved to tears over their posts/brave attitude and I want to show I'm not just leaching off their story, getting a thrill of someone else's misery. I mean when I say I care and the proof is in actions not words.

I think that's why I'm so down on people who I feel aren't truthful. I don't like lies, they cheapen the experiences of the real troopers on here.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not emoting all over the place and sending stuff out willy nilly, there are several posters on here who I would like to send stuff out to, a poster on the Arms whose husband has cancer and her posts are so brave and full of cake! But I know its not needed, she posts for support, nothing else.

bestpud

notakid wrote: »

I have sent stuff, several times on this forum to people whose stories have touched me. However its never been asked for! They may have thought it was a load of old rubbish!

The people I've sent stuff too I've never met but I'm pretty sure they are real as are their problems, the reason I've sent stuff is because as I've said I've been moved to tears over their posts/brave attitude and I want to show I'm not just leaching off their story, getting a thrill of someone else's misery. I mean when I say I care and the proof is in actions not words.

I think that's why I'm so down on people who I feel aren't truthful. I don't like lies, they cheapen the experiences of the real troopers on here.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not emoting all over the place and sending stuff out willy nilly, there are several posters on here who I would like to send stuff out to, a poster on the Arms whose husband has cancer and her posts are so brave and full of cake! But I know its not needed, she posts for support, nothing else.

I feel the same about some posters, in that I don't lose sleep but it's a hard person who can communicate with the same people for years on end and not feel anything when they have ups and downs in life.

You'd need to ask for an address to send something though, and that bit would be quite uncomfortable for me. If it was in real life, thoughts like that are more natural and spontaneous, but on the web you have to plan it and that takes something from the sentiment in my opinion. Maybe that's just me though!

Caitlin_Bree

electrobix99 wrote: »

There is a Docufilm about this kind of thing called Catfish. I do not want to spoil the story for you but its well worth a watch.

Did you read the various threads on IMDB questioning the truthfulness of events? Some people saying it was an outright lie, other people saying events didn't transpire quite as they were told.
I'm not sure what to think about it given the direction his career took after the success of Catfish.

I am aware that a lawsuit was brought against the maker a little while ago. He was being sued for unfair use of somebody's music, which (I believe) would be fine to use in a documentary, but would require royalties being paid if the film had been made to appear as truth.
I looked online to find the outcome of the trial.. and found absolutely nothing. It seems strange to me that the lawsuit received so much coverage, but the court case has none (that I could find).

As I said, I don't know what to make of it, a lot of things didn't ring true to me, But I don't think we'll ever get an admission if it was faked. I did enjoy it though.. I liked that it left me asking questions.

If you liked Catfish, you might want to check out "talhotblond" (with one "L"..that's not a typo) for a similarly unsettling story.

*For anyone with an opinion on how real it is..events in Catfish are left deliberately vague to avoid giving anything away to those who haven't seen it*