The problem with the world today…

That was an interesting article. I played it for a number of years. It started out as just a game, but the social aspect drew me in. I heard stories of the roles that players would play to get things (real world and virtual) out of other players. I had real life friends that I played the game with. Our friendship suffered because they took the game too seriously.

I’ve developed a trust in this community that seems to care about each other. Yes, it would hurt to learn that someone had abused that trust.

I play eq2 as well on the everfrost server. I used to play with rl friends but they quit the game since they don’t have a job and can’t pay to play it. I’ve met some really nice people online that I talk to over the net. I do admit sometimes I spend way too much time on there but my husband and I play together. He has his own computer and account so we can team up.

The article which raises the eyebrows:
http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2000/11/21/virtual_suicide/print.html

The goodness of many hearts may have been taken advantage of. However, the cynicism wrought by the world we live in may have taken over mine. Just voicing an opinion.

Take care.You really think someone on here is doing this?

Well, statistically speaking, it is possible that someone will post here as a form of Munchausen’s By Internet. But that’s a pretty serious allegation and one I wouldn’t feel comfortable making without some sort of proof or evidence.

I dont suppose its really an alligation till a name is mentioned, just speculation. Thanks for the article, Sunhawk. It was pretty informative and good to look out for. I liked the tips for recognizing:

the posts consistently duplicate material in other posts, in books, or on health-related websites;
the characteristics of the supposed illness emerge as caricatures;
near-fatal bouts of illness alternate with miraculous recoveries;
claims are fantastic, contradicted by subsequent posts, or flatly disproved;
there are continual dramatic events in the person’s life, especially when other group members have become the focus of attention;
there is feigned blitheness about crises (e.g., going into septic shock) that will predictably attract immediate attention;
others apparently posting on behalf of the individual (e.g., family members, friends) have identical patterns of writing.

I really hope no one on here would do that. 🙄 You have to be pretty pathetic to make stuff up to gain sympathy from folks on the internet, for crying out loud. How lame would that be? We dont even know eachother. Plus, in this group, they would be bound to get caught. Too many smart people (it would only be a matter of time), though we are sympathetic and caring, too. That would make any deception even worse.

I’m not surprised about the article. I’ve seen things like that happen. It’s pretty sad to make things up for sympathy really. Weather it’s online or in real life. But, really what are they to gain? I just don’t understand it, thats all.

I’m a bit of a softy, and I’ll give sympathy wheather I believe the person is making it up or not. People used to try the sympathy card while I was in buisness. “Oh, I have so little money whine whine….” Just to get a discount. Then the person would get another dog then expect another discount. I hated people like that. If it’s true (I did have people that were truly in need, and those people I did give special leeways to them. But, they truly were in need you could tell. And they tried to pay me back double!!!! Not always in money since they really didn’t have it but, in other ways. I still miss some of my customers. 😥 )

I’m not sure who you are pointing a finger too. But, really what can they gain other than sympathy?

I didn’t read the article just glanced at it. I guess I should read it since I feel left out 😆