Even in cyberspace, the truth usually comes out sooner or later. To illustrate, there has been an ongoing discussion on a forum I frequently visit. this forum is a counseling-oriented forum, with all kinds of questions, advice, and to a certain extent, counseling going on. Lately on this forum there was an individual who was keeping everyone pretty busy with his tirades about how therapy had harmed him and was a waste of time. The more anyone tried to reach out to him, the more he raged. His rages seemed to be directed at anyone who came near him. Many individuals on the forum tried to show compassion and understanding. To make a long story short (some 300 posts were on this one thread) this individual was discovered on another forum pulling the same stunt, in addition, threatening to commit suicide. Some astute person was able to track him down to his home address and sent a mental health worker over to investigate. The MH worker discovered a very ordinary teenager in a very ordinary home having great fun on the computer at alot of people's expense. Many individuals who were corresponding with this person, many of whom were either counselors or clients, expressed hurt at being deceived in this way. THere has been big discussion about all the ramifications. bottom line is, the truth came out, and although people's feelings were hurt, it was a learning lesson for all, especially the individual who thought they could hide behind a fictitious character. My experience is that by and large, people don't lie on the internet. The few exceptions are sooner or later found out. Rather, I think people are even more truthful online because they retain a certain amount of anonymity and can express themselves more deeply without the fear of being rejected.
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