Serious A Social Experiment

[Richard B Riddick]

I don't remember the source but I remember reading a quotation that goes something like...

"You can tell the true character of a man by how he treats his lessers."

Or.

"You can tell the true nature of a person by how they treat those who can do nothing for them."

I don't know why I bother, but sometimes when I interact online I try to convince people I'm poor and have nothing that could be of value of them. Just to see how they would treat me if they thought they would gain nothing by associating with me and as I'm curious as to who people really are and what type of person they are.

And, also because I wonder to what degree people attempt to make friends in an effort to get something out of people.

In the past, maybe I've been lucky, but I can honestly say that a lot of the people I have as friends would be my friends even if I was homeless and living on the street. Even if they didn't think they would benefit or gain something by knowing me they would still be my friend and that does mean a lot.

Sometimes, when I interact with people I feel like they couldn't care less about me. The only reason they "like me" is because they look at me and see an opportunity for themselves.

I guess the reason I bother thinking along these lines sometimes is to actively screen myself from those types of people and see if it can actually be done.

Anyway, I'm not sure I'm at a point where I might begin to make theories and conclusions but I must ask, what does everyone think about this?

Am I still living in the 1990's? Is this a form of anti-social or misanthropic behavior?

What do people think?

 

[Squid]

If people give their opinion on this after you've asked for it and it doesn't fit with what you want to hear are you going to go on a crazy rant?

I think what you're doing is ridiculous. You pretend to be poor to see what people would be your friend and which wouldn't? I couldn't care less if someone was poor or not on the net, that doesn't really factor in with my friendship making decisions.

Stop trying to trick people into arguments with you and just relax, mate.

 

[Donald Trump]

Have I stumbled into the Riddick B autobiography?
Maybe your friends want to be your friends because you can show them how to get abs, or you can teach them how to do 300 leg kicks in a minute.
People do not befriend other people out of altruism. They get something out of it. Most of my friends amuse me, or they're interesting or we have quite a few things in common. I get something out of it. It may not be something tangible like money, but I benefit from their friendship.

 

[Ethics]

Thread has been moved to Temple of the Ancients as this isn't really a "debate" topic.

 

[Richard B Riddick]

If people give their opinion on this after you've asked for it and it doesn't fit with what you want to hear are you going to go on a crazy rant?

I think what you're doing is ridiculous. You pretend to be poor to see what people would be your friend and which wouldn't? I couldn't care less if someone was poor or not on the net, that doesn't really factor in with my friendship making decisions.

Stop trying to trick people into arguments with you and just relax, mate.

I don't get why you're accusing me of being someone who has trouble with others disagreeing with them & making personal attacks but thx

Anyhow, I suppose I can benefit from your purported superior intelligence and wisdom, so let me tell you a story.

From 2008 - 2011, within that small era of economic woe, I know of a handful of people who were laid off or lost their jobs.

I know for a fact that they were individuals who thought they had a lot of friends in this world and what happened is everyone they thought was their friend immediately cut them off and pretended they didn't know them. Just because they lost their job and might ask for help & they didn't want to help them.

I think thats pretty lame.

In my own experience, I can safely say that there were people you might think were your friends who would bail on you when you needed them the most. Like for example, once I was riding with one of my friends and there were four of us and we were cruising in my friend's suzuki samurai.

Someone cut my friend off in traffic, so he deliberately cut them off in return.

The person he cut off followed us and when we got to where we were going, he came up to us with a metal pipe in his hand and started screaming.

What do you think happened?

Of course, 2 of my friends ran and left us there to deal with the guy. Luckily nothing happened and we got him calmed down. But, really, sometimes I do wonder who is worth bothering with and who isn't. And, I can safely say that I wouldn't want to waste my time with people who weren't... So, yeah, maybe I do try to convince people I'm poor sometimes and similar things to try to figure out if its feasible, it doesn't mean I'm trying to cause an argument or that I have some insidious and sinister reason for doing so..

What's up with you, anyway?

Last night you were thanking me for rendering that image for you.

Now, you hate me? Haha. If I didn't know better I might assume someone was saying bad things about me. If that's the case, I would hope they're honest and moral enough to say it to my face as opposed to behind my back... But, who knows, eh.

People don't necessarily care about things like integrity these days... They'll talk about you and spread rumors about you, never giving you a chance to defend yourself and pretend you're the problem for calling them on it... Ignorance, ftw.

Have I stumbled into the Riddick B autobiography?
Maybe your friends want to be your friends because you can show them how to get abs, or you can teach them how to do 300 leg kicks in a minute.
People do not befriend other people out of altruism. They get something out of it. Most of my friends amuse me, or they're interesting or we have quite a few things in common. I get something out of it. It may not be something tangible like money, but I benefit from their friendship.

Well, Hal.. There's a difference between having a rewarding friendship with someone and actively targeting those you think will benefit you the most.

My response wouldn't be complete without a Riddick approved bedtime story... and so, I will say that once I had a job working fast food. I can honestly say that there were some people who were 25+ years old & they only reason they worked there is because they were targeting the 14-16 year old girls who worked there and trying to get sex.

They would pretend to be sympathetic & they would pretend to give a shit, but the only thing they wanted and only reason they bothered was because they wanted to have sex with underage girls.

Of course, some of those girls might have been naive enough to think someone cared about them, but what do you think happened in the end?

Those are my impressions, but yeah, it does somewhat interest me sometimes how these things play out.

I won't go into detail as you're already quoting me out of context and trying to say something that I never said or implied.

As for my friends, I won't say anything. Let's just say I've been down on my luck and they were there for me.

 

[Squid]

What's up with you, anyway?

Last night you were thanking me for rendering that image for you.

Now, you hate me? Haha. If I didn't know better I might assume someone was saying bad things about me. If that's the case, I would hope they're honest and moral enough to say it to my face as opposed to behind my back... But, who knows, eh.

People don't necessarily care about things like integrity these days... They'll talk about you and spread rumors about you, never giving you a chance to defend yourself and pretend you're the problem for calling them on it... Ignorance, ftw.
.

I didn't ask you to do the image, but I thanked you because i am not an utter cunt. You don't have to be someones friend to appreciate something that they have done for you. It also has nothing to do with people talking behind anyones back or you being poor/rich or whatever this strange thread is about.

Calm down.

 

[Richard B Riddick]

I didn't ask you to do the image, but I thanked you because i am not an utter cunt. You don't have to be someones friend to appreciate something that they have done for you. It also has nothing to do with people talking behind anyones back or you being poor/rich or whatever this strange thread is about.

Calm down.

Nevermind. I don't trust you anymore.

If someone does something nice for you and start accusing them of all kind of bullshit -- for no reason you are a cunt.

Lets see you weasel your way out of that one.

 

[Ethics]

Cool it down.


This is your only warning.

 

[Donald Trump]

Well, Hal.. There's a difference between having a rewarding friendship with someone and actively targeting those you think will benefit you the most.

Is there? If the underage chicks in your analogy/story get a 25+ guy who they thinks cares about them, then what's the problem? Maybe when the 25 year old has had his fill of teeny pussy then the young McDonalds girls will be very upset. But that's a different thing from the friendship/relationship. Generally most friendships that end, don't end too well.
But let us say for argument's sake that the breakup and the friendship are part of the same thing. If the benefits of the friendship outweigh the negatives of the breakup it's still a good thing.

I won't go into detail as you're already quoting me out of context and trying to say something that I never said or implied.

I didn't quote you, so it would be difficult, if not impossible for me to have quoted you out of context.

My point was people get something out of being friends with someone. Making friends is not a selfless act.

If you are a billionaire I will definitely be your friend.

 

[Will Graham]

I think the 'treating people who can do nothing for you well' thing, isn't actually intended to be about friendship. It seems like it's more about treating someone who can't help you nicely. Rather than being nice till you realise they're of no use. For example, not calling a customer service rep a gap-toothed cunt for not being able refund you for your broken washing machine even though it was supposed to be still under guarantee.

I understand the pretending you are poor to see what people really think of you angle. Starting a friendship on a lie is a terrible idea though. Probably the worst thing to start one with., short of smearing 'Friends?' on their doorstep with cat shit

 

[Richard B Riddick]

I think the 'treating people who can do nothing for you well' thing, isn't actually intended to be about friendship. It seems like it's more about treating someone who can't help you nicely. Rather than being nice till you realise they're of no use. For example, not calling a customer service rep a gap-toothed cunt for not being able refund you for your broken washing machine even though it was supposed to be still under guarantee.

I understand the pretending you are poor to see what people really think of you angle. Starting a friendship on a lie is a terrible idea though. Probably the worst thing to start one with., short of smearing 'Friends?' on their doorstep with cat shit

Its moreso about those who pretend to be "nice" and "decent people" only when they want something.

And, those who are nice and decent people because they actually are nice and decent people.

There is a difference, y'know.

Why is telling someone you're poor a "terrible lie"?

 

[Sepalcure]

I'm not here to condescend or demonize you; I respect your opinions on the issue however I do disagree with it. People who truly care about you and value you as a friend will do so regardless of your socioeconomic status. I think it's personally more advantageous for you to be sincere from the jump and just tell them the truth about your upbringing and financial status. It shouldn't matter how they would respond to you if you were hypothetically poor because you're not. Friends are not people to be abused or used just for one singular thing. Just as a personal example, the friends I have know that my parents make a relatively nice amount of money and yet I don't consciously allow them to "use" me for money. Why? Because they know that they're friends with me for a far deeper reason just as I'm loyal to them because I know that they won't abandon me over some ludicrous situation. I've gained their loyalty and sincerity by proving that I will always be their metaphorical "shoulder to cry on," I'll spot them if they don't have money (provided that they pay me back; I'm not a "charity service"), and I'll try my best to support them in their times of need and disparity. I just personally find it rather laughable that you would lie to these people on the internet about how much money you don't have. You're lucky they never met you IRL because if they ever did and they were to find out that you were lying, they would be rather mad.

I think the proper way to see if someone will give you the respect and trust you deserve, is to treat them the way you would expect to be treated and be honest about yourself. The Golden Rule applies to every relationship for a reason. If they can't respect you or take you at face value then obviously they're not worthy of being called a friend. That's just my opinion on the matter.

 

[Richard B Riddick]

I'm not here to condescend or demonize you; I respect your opinions on the issue however I do disagree with it. People who truly care about you and value you as a friend will do so regardless of your socioeconomic status. I think it's personally more advantageous for you to be sincere from the jump and just tell them the truth about your upbringing and financial status. It shouldn't matter how they would respond to you if you were hypothetically poor because you're not. Friends are not people to be abused or used just for one singular thing. Just as a personal example, the friends I have know that my parents make a relatively nice amount of money and yet I don't consciously allow them to "use" me for money. Why? Because they know that they're friends with me for a far deeper reason just as I'm loyal to them because I know that they won't abandon me over some ludicrous situation. I've gained their loyalty and sincerity by proving that I will always be their metaphorical "shoulder to cry on," I'll spot them if they don't have money (provided that they pay me back; I'm not a "charity service"), and I'll try my best to support them in their times of need and disparity. I just personally find it rather laughable that you would lie to these people on the internet about how much money you don't have. You're lucky they never met you IRL because if they ever did and they were to find out that you were lying, they would be rather mad.

I think the proper way to see if someone will give you the respect and trust you deserve, is to treat them the way you would expect to be treated and be honest about yourself. The Golden Rule applies to every relationship for a reason. If they can't respect you or take you at face value then obviously they're not worthy of being called a friend. That's just my opinion on the matter.

Its cool.

But, you know, its like how some celebrities and movie stars brag about how their wife liked them before they became famous.

It may seem completely unimportant to some people. But, it does mean something.

Besides, its not as if I'm lying to people who are my friends or people I actually intend to befriend. Its just something I'm experimenting with to satisfy my own curiosity.

No one gets hurt and it doesn't affect anyone.

My personal take on this is that if you're deliberately lying to people then YOU don't deserve THEM as friends - you're being dishonest with them and so are not being a true friend, you're lying from day one.

It's ironic that someone who is trying to judge other people is in fact lying himself - no doubt you'll tell yourself it's different when YOU do it though - just like they'd tell THEMSELVES they have a good reason if they lie to YOU.

-shrugs- It strikes me as immature and a poor base for a friendship. Then again liars will always find excuses for lying so in some ways it is what it is I guess.

If someone I knew told me they were poor, I would worry about them and their wellbeing.

If I realized they were lying to me and they were really rich, I would be happy for them. I wouldn't be upset, why would I be? It would be pretty funny.

Dangerous liars are people who lie about things to make themselves look good or take advantage of people, not the other way around.

Not that I expect someone like you to notice the difference considering this type of non-deterministic topic is where you're extremely weak.

A person could interpret your own words as: a woman who fakes an orgasm is "lying" to her boyfriend and doesn't deserve him because lies are a "terrible" foundation for a relationship.

In a way, I think its completely ridiculous that anyone these days claims to have social or moral standards.

If you own an ipod that was made with child labor in china and drink a beverage made by coca cola which assassinates workers in south america to prevent them from forming unions and wear clothes made in a sweatshop in singapore -- I'm not taking you fucking seriously.

No one these days has morality or social standards.

Maybe some, but they're enough of a minority to be nearly non-existent and I would not count you amongst them.

/$0.25

 

[Tucker]

Any friend that doesn't stick with you if you are poorer isn't a good friend.

If anything, I would value my friends more if they didn't have a lot, because it proves how good a person they are. And also, you wouldn't envy them on monetary matters. I have grown jealous many times of my richer friends

I don't really see anything wrong with your little "experiment", but I have a question...

Why would someone online care if you are poor? It's not like you are going to invite them over to your fancy house and then go to lunch or something I mean I guess you could meet them eventually if you live close or whatever, but then once you meet them and you said you were poor when you are not, then they'll find out you were lying.

So I don't see the point in it. If you tell real people you are poor when you aren't, you are lying and you can't start a friendship. If you tell online people you are poor when you aren't, why does it matter since they have nothing to gain if you are rich anyway?

 

[Richard B Riddick]

So you're saying you don't consider yourself to have any social or moral standards, and feel it's fine to lie to people. That explains a lot actually =)

I think your outlook on things explains a lot of the problems you have and why you get the reputation you do on forums to be honest :/

Maybe if you spent less time on these "experiments" and more time just being honest (and perhaps a little more humble) it might work out better for you?

In any case best of luck with the "experiment", I think in general people find lying for your own amusement (and thus your own gain) to be distasteful, but it seems that you feel that as long as it accomplishes something for YOU (you gain from it by learning something, or being amused) that it's ok. That tends to be the way with people who lie a lot though, if someone does it to them they rant and rave at that person for "betraying" them, but it's ok for THEM to do it to anyone they want.

I sincerely hope you grow up a little at some point and realise going through life like that might be why you have so many friends who seem to "use" you - it might just be that you're not a pleasant person to be around, so the people you ATTRACT to you are the ones who will feed and stroke your ego - the false people, since you don't want to hear the truth from honest people.

Just some food for thought =)

I consider myself to have social and moral standards. Disagree if you like.

Reputation on forums? I like exactly where I am. I have no complaints.

Like I said, I wouldn't be upset if someone lied to me about being poor because I couldn't care less about money. But, maybe, others do care about money and so its an issue to them?

I don't think it matters. Everyone engages in deceit, deception or flat out lie about things, sometimes. And, many do it far more often and blatantly than I do. I doubt you would criticize or say anything negative to those people, but you do seem willing to criticize me which indicates it has more to do with personal reasons than social standards for you.

As for me complaining about people betraying me, yes, I do wish there were people in this world worth putting my faith and trust in. And yes, it does leave me disappointed & hurt sometimes when I realize I've put my faith and trust in the wrong people. But, that's not the same as what I'm doing, I'm not betraying people or misleading them about things that are important.

I don't recall saying anything about having friends that "use" me.

But, even if I'm not willing to point out everything you're wrong about or the ways in which you're wrong about them... you thinking you're in a position to judge me -- someone you know absolutely nothing about aside from hearsay and a few internet comments, is FAR WORSE than anything I've done in terms of morality or social standards.

Besides, weren't you the one who lied and told people I didn't know anything about MMA & similar things? And, you had the nerve to do that after I correctly predicted all fights but one on the sanchez vs ellenberger card.

Isn't that a lie on your part? You don't seem particularly concerned.

Likewise, I bet you tell people I only do things to "get nudes" and similar stupidity despite me never having the slightest intent of doing any such thing. Isn't that also a lie? Yep.

So tell me, DBT.. Who is the fake here? And who is being manipulative and decietful?

I'm trying to go easy on you and avoid embarrassing and humiliating you in front of your e-girlfriend(s?).

But, you're so delusional and ridiculous maybe people will catch on eventually, eh?

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

so by your own definition, you have never ever once in your life owned or consumed in any way something made by a corporation, where they 'shit on the little guy', as it were? you are, once again, lying.

also, those things you mentioned about dragonbyte there are not lies, they are judgements. i'm sure a man of your intellect would like to point out at any given opportunity that an opinion is not a fact.

and it is childish to run these sort of 'experiments'. you, nor anyone else, gains anything from it so can it even really be called an experiment? more just you telling pathetic lies for some miniscule personal benefit.

i'm sure as a reply to this post you will come up with some laughably conceited way to make me look like the villain of the piece, while making yourself out to be the victim. or then again you might try to out-fox me now that i've pointed this out and go in a completely different direction and make some veiled insult towards my character. but we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Richard B Riddick]

Why would someone online care if you are poor? It's not like you are going to invite them over to your fancy house and then go to lunch or something I mean I guess you could meet them eventually if you live close or whatever, but then once you meet them and you said you were poor when you are not, then they'll find out you were lying.

Some being offended by it, shows its important to them, I think.

Its not uncommon for people to meet over the internet and get married.

I think a lot of people would suck up to people and kiss ass if they thought they could get money out of it. I've seen it happen.. maybe.

So I don't see the point in it. If you tell real people you are poor when you aren't, you are lying and you can't start a friendship. If you tell online people you are poor when you aren't, why does it matter since they have nothing to gain if you are rich anyway?

I can think of a lot of reasons.

Say someone posts a picture of themselves and they're really pretty. They'd probably get a lot of attention. Not necessarily because people like the person they are or care. But, moreso because they want to associate themselves with someone who is attractive for their own benefit even if there's only a 0.00001% chance of anything happening.

Likewise, someone who posted an unattractive picture of themselves would probably experience the complete opposite. People might treat them like trash and just walk all over them.

Is money or other factors any different?

In a way, I think people can be fake, two faced and self-serving, but its redundant and commonplace & possibly not worth mentioning? People ignore it.

Even if its just online, people still get caught up and obsessed with trying to be cool and fitting in and similar things just like they do in real life?

so by your own definition, you have never ever once in your life owned or consumed in any way something made by a corporation, where they 'shit on the little guy', as it were? you are, once again, lying.

Its important enough to me to be aware and conscious of it which is more than most can say.

And, yeah, I do make a conscious effort to avoid said things.

also, those things you mentioned about dragonbyte there are not lies, they are judgements. i'm sure a man of your intellect would like to point out at any given opportunity that an opinion is not a fact.

A mature and decent person--with social standards & morality refrains from judging others.

Not so with DBT?

and it is childish to run these sort of 'experiments'. you, nor anyone else, gains anything from it so can it even really be called an experiment? more just you telling pathetic lies for some miniscule personal benefit.

I think its an anti-materialist experiment and we live in a materialist era.

Thus, people are "offended" by it.

i'm sure as a reply to this post you will come up with some laughably conceited way to make me look like the villain of the piece, while making yourself out to be the victim. or then again you might try to out-fox me now that i've pointed this out and go in a completely different direction and make some veiled insult towards my character. but we'll have to wait and see.

I couldn't conceive of a reason to do either of those things.

 

[CassinoChips]

Let's keep it civil please. No need to resort to name calling, demeaning adjectives, etc. That cheapens the discourse.

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

Well, I don't know you other than a few lines of text that I read on a forum dedicated to a video game. We talked for maybe ten seconds and I recall you insulting me for something. I'm not sure what it was because I didn't really care. However, going off of that alone I would come to the conclusion that you're a dick. But hey, I could be wrong.

However, to get onto the subject of the question here, you like to lie to people online to see if they're worthy of being your friend. Personally, I find it a little convoluted and misguided. What do I care if your poor or rich? As I said, you're a person behind a computer screen and the odds of me meeting you are slim to none. You exist to me as little more than text on a computer screen. I don't know you personally and I have no real desire to ever get to know you personally.

No offense, of course. That's merely how I view most people I meet online. Exceptions happen, of course, but it's very rare.

However, your problem is you start "friendships" based off of lies. That's not a good thing. It doesn't help that in this thread you've also pratically told other what they think (or rather what you think they think) and judged them harshly. Do you honestly think anyone wants to be friends with someone like that?

Perhaps instead you should be talking to people like you would if they were directly in front of you. Treat people as you want to be treated, not as "social experiments" or "lesser people". It's not going to get you anywhere.

Perhaps just lighten up a little bit and take things easy?

 

[Rapture]

I'm trying to go easy on you and avoid embarrassing and humiliating you in front of your e-girlfriend(s?).

Really? I wanted to stay out of this, but what does this even have to do with the topic we are discussing? Personally, from what I've seen in your "debates" is that when people start disagreeing with you or have an opinion that is different from yours then you start taking personal low blows at them.

Just so you know, I'm not even moderately insulted by your comment, but I felt I had to say something. People are going to start doubting whether you are really seeking intelligent discussion on your topics as opposed to you using it as an opportunity to target and insult people who might question your ways or whom have an opinion that is different than yours.

Good luck with your "experiment" though. All I do know is if a friend lied to me as a social experiment for their own curiosity or for their own personal agenda ...and if I found out, they wouldn't be my friend anymore. Friends don't typically use each other for their own selfish needs, they find mutual benefit from the relationship in one way, shape or form. ...and why would someone ever feel the need to lie to someone to weed them out as a friend? How are you any better of a person by lying to them when they are merely playing on a prefabricated lie of yours?

I consider myself to have social and moral standards. Disagree if you like.

....thinking you're in a position to judge me -- someone you know absolutely nothing about aside from hearsay and a few internet comments, is FAR WORSE than anything I've done in terms of morality or social standards.

But, you're so delusional and ridiculous maybe people will catch on eventually, eh?

[FONT=&quot]Judge not, lest ye be judged. Matthew 7:1[/FONT]