4 Ways to Spot An Internet Bull**** Artist

Cracked.com ^ | September 24, 2014 | C. Coville

[Slings and Arrows]

I've long been fascinated with Internet fakers: the people who hang around forums and social media sites, vomiting lies out of every orifice like a drunken frat boy who's also possessed by a demon. A few now-defunct communities once cataloged these filthy, filthy liars, but apart from that, Internet fakers really don't get the attention they deserve. And that's weird, because over the years, I've noticed that they share a bunch of bizarre similarities. Like ...

[Slings and Arrows]

WARNING: Foul language, FR slurred mentioned.

[Tijeras_Slim]

This is one sign...

[Slings and Arrows]

"Fortunately, there are no BS artists on FR."
--Classy Green-Eyed Blonde

[bigbob]

Based on Rush’s research, you can add those who use “Twitter amplifier” software to the list.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

My personal FR favorite was the guy that claimed to be an aerospace engineer that was living in an undisclosed location in SE Asia. He outed himself when he stated that he worked for McDonald Douglas.

And yes I remember the Classy Green-Eyed Blonde.

[Our man in washington]

As a SEAL with 25,412 confirmed kills and three Medals of Honor who currently suffers from stage 6 cancer of the fingernails, let me say I hate Internet BS artists.

Wait, now it’s 25,413...got one while I was typing.

Did I mention I served alongside Jesse Macbeth?

[Focault's Pendulum]

Classy Green-Eyed Blonde

I remember him.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Back in the day...MANY a female FReeper (including me!) KNEW that “classygreeneyedblonde” rainbow typist WAS NOT REAL and fakey, fake, fake...but oh mys...the swooning here was over the top.

Meh. Spotting a “catfish” be easy peasy.

[BenLurkin]

He’s hiding deep in the Hurtgen Forest.

[Focault's Pendulum]

On who’s side?

[Covenantor]

That goes back a ways. Sneakypete blew DITHF’s cover real hard.

[Larry Lucido]

Classy! :)

[Slings and Arrows]

Oh wow, that’s so...sexy.

Tell me more while I try on the lingerie I took home from my job as a Victoria’s Secret model.

[Slings and Arrows]

But can you see the Host in the sun? Ithinknot!

[muir_redwoods]

Ive encountered a fellow who claims to ahve been a SEAL. He also claims to have been an Annapolis grad. He claims a lot of things that, while possible, seem to be a bit improbable in one lifetime.

Is there a site where I could refer a name and get a simple yes or no? I don’t want to go public here; he could be telling the truth and I would not want any suggestion of fraud to attach to a genuine SEAL.

[Slings and Arrows]

I don’t know, but I’d bet a shiny new quarter that there are other FReepers who would. Post a thread.

[Toadman]

You can call the Quarterdeck at the Naval Special Warfare Center (619-437-3557). They’ll route your call to N1 (admin department). Tell them why your calling.

Someone there will look up the name to see if he graduated from a BUD/S class.

[Toadman]

Oops! Wrong one; I gave you the Group 1 QD.

The Center’s is: 619-437-2587.

[Yo-Yo]

Ha! Everybody who actually works in aerospace (like me) knows there are two S's in McDonald Douglass.

[DouglasKC]

I knew back then that there was something off about DITHF dude. His stories were just too emotional...too perfect. I didn't frequent the threads because if God forbid you questioned one aspect you would get set upon.

Most people get caught up in these things because they think that nobody would do something like that.