Mixing fantasy with real life

There was a dj here in Portland who played Irish music on a non profit station here regularly. She said she was from Ireland and had an Irish accent. It turns out she wasn't but had that fantasy. She got pretty well trashed by people. But was it really so wrong? It was her fantasy and it didn't hurt anyone. Being outed was very hard for her I hear.

A dear friend of mine says she has played in a variety of obscure bands. I don't think that is the case but I haven't called her on it. I don't want to destroy her fantasy.

Do you think it is wrong to tell people things that are not true about your life? So long as it isn't hurting anybody? Spinning a tale that you wish were true?

I can see both sides of the fence, but ultimately I do think it's wrong to make up things about yourself or your life unless it's appropriate in the context. Your example of the DJ I'd see as a context where it's appropriate. They're being an entertainer. In the case of your friend, if the claims are untrue, then it's a very unhealthy habit that can lead to much bigger lies and self deception. People need to be proud of who they are or work to make their life into something they can be proud of. Real self esteem isn't gained by pretending to be something you think that people will find more interesting.

Hmmm I don't know all the details of this situation so I am obviously missing chunks of info here, but consider the following instance:

Say that this on-air personality happened to claim to be a doctor, and was offering help over the airwaves. This could be potentially more dangerous.

Or, remember what happened to Miss Cleo? In her case, of course, there were "for entertainment purposes only" messages for legal clarity, and more.



I have done this before in an effort to appear more "normal", but it worked badly because my real self shattered that pretty quickly.

Another instance would be the Alternate Reality Games that are played, which some people take as truth. A recent example is ILOVEBEES.COM -- but then again, flashback to Orson Welles's "War of the Worlds" and how it caused a certain amount of alarm.

Like Chip said, I agree with the whole thing about entertainment, and I would not take it that seriously because, heck, isn't that what Howard Stern and so many other shock jocks, and even more mild-mannered radio hosts, have succeeded on?

However, I think access to the "back door of truth" (wow did that sound wrong) is welcome, when in doubt. You can enjoy a magic show without believing it's arcane sorcery. But in today's world, we have so many characters . . .

I think that if one is playing a fantasy, 'tis better not to confirm nor deny. That will leave room for mystery, which can be magical, and one's options are open.

Did the DJ use a psudonym or stage name? If she did, then outing her was wrong, since that was her character.