To know or to not to know.
By Amber
@AmbiePam (92711)
United States
August 9, 2012 1:55pm CST
Would you rather know it if were real or fake? There was something that happened and someone posted a discussion about it. Well, it was fake. So I told the person, and a few other people in the discussion that it was fake. Afterward, I felt a little like someone who had told a kid Santa Claus was not real. And believe me, one of the people did not want to know it was fake, they would rather have gone on thinking it was real. And that got me to thinking. I told them it was fake because I would have wanted to know. I like knowing if what I'm seeing is real or fake. Then, I want to know how they did it. Kind of like when you see a magician cut a lady in half. You know it's not real, but you want to know how they did it. (And if anyone actually thought the magician truly cut the lady in half, I'm sorry if I ruined the surprise for you. Seriously, I'm getting to where I think some people will believe in mermaids.) So, would you rather know if something you've seen is real or fake?
7 people like this
14 responses
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
9 Aug 12
I am ALL about the truth. I am the first to go to snopes.com or somewhere else to get at the truth. I HATE rumors and falsehoods. People have stopped sending me chain emails because of this. I find the snopes link and hit "reply all". I have had people angered at me for sending them the link simply because they do not know who I am. Sorry, people, I would think you would want to know that you are spreading lies. But who am I to say?
But, ..... I have to admit that there are certain things that I like to remain a mystery. Not necessarily a lie, but sort of unresolved. For instance, I like to think about the Loch Ness monster. I like to think that there is this mysterious creature out there that we will never tame. If there were a completely logical explanation, or the creature was captured, I would feel greatly let down. It loses its intrigue for me.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
9 Aug 12
I have had people get angry at me for telling them the truth according to Snopes. Now do not get mad at me here, but I have heard that Snopes is not always accurate either and has a particular liberal agenda. There is something they have said and I cannot remember what it is but it disagrees with everything else I have read. It was something pertaining to a fairy tale or nursery rhyme, but I cannot remember what it was. . . I guess in that case I did not want to know the truth.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
10 Aug 12
Yes I would very much want to know if something is fake, and I would not hesitate to comment to the poster that is was fake either. If they choose not to believe me and continue believing in whatever is fake well that is there problem, my work is done as the old saying goes.
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Aug 12
There are many things I Never want to know how they did it. The sawing half of the lady and All other magic acts are on the list. Certain film tricks too. But when it comes to stories , I Need to know what is real and what isn't! I have asked questions in a way many thought it was about me but I corrected that idea with Every single person. I get ideas for posts from soaps and movies and even reality shows. I never mean to mislead.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Aug 12
Always the truth, but it depends on how the truth is told. The bible says to tell the truth in love, which means to tell the person, but don't make them feel like an idiot or stupid, that will only backfire.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Aug 12
If you are talking about emotions for here, this makes a good "don't shoot the messenger" statement: 
Actually, if someone is told the truth in a good way and they are offended, then they are messed up. All my years on MySpace and FB, the only time I was told the truth in the wrong way was when that couple sided with my sister on a topic. But, that isn't the first time I was corrected or told the truth, and that is because I will accept the truth, if told in a polite and loving way.
So you got some truth to tell me???
Actually, if someone is told the truth in a good way and they are offended, then they are messed up. All my years on MySpace and FB, the only time I was told the truth in the wrong way was when that couple sided with my sister on a topic. But, that isn't the first time I was corrected or told the truth, and that is because I will accept the truth, if told in a polite and loving way.
So you got some truth to tell me???1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
16 Aug 12
LOL I started to question about mermaids being real too after finding out roadrunners and seahorses were real! LOL SERIOUSLY! I didn't know roadrunners and seahorses were real until I actually saw them with my own eyes! I thought they were just cartoon charactors so imagine my surprise!
Ok, back to your discussion, I'm like you, I'd want to know if it's real or fake. Just like I'd want the truth up front, no sugar coating or beating around the bush but with empathy. Truth all the way or none at all.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
16 Aug 12
I saw only one my whole life and believe it or not, we we driving on a back road named Lil Trimmier and the roadrunner came out of the brush after we passed it and crossed the road and ran to and down Roadrunner Rd! I kid you NOT! I screamed OMG! THAT WAS A ROADRUNNER AND IT RAN DOWN ROADRUNNER ROAD! NOBODY'S GONNA BELIEVE THIS STORY! I JUST KNOW IT! Hubby just laughed till he realized that that was the first time I'd seen one and didn't know they were real! lol You can look it up for yourself, we lived on Hollow Rd in Killeen Texas and we drove to town on Lil Trimmier and passed Roadrunner Rd. It's there! Honest to God! lol
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
10 Aug 12
You've broken my heart, Santa is real 
Anyway, there many things that I know for sure that they are not real, but I just keep them in mind as fantasy and it makes me feel good just to wonder "what if... what if...what if..."
I never believe in magician, I know they have bunch of tricks for the show and for me it's only for entertain. I think mostly people know about that, we only curious how the magician doing something like floating someone in the air, I want to know the trick 
Anyway, there many things that I know for sure that they are not real, but I just keep them in mind as fantasy and it makes me feel good just to wonder "what if... what if...what if..."
I never believe in magician, I know they have bunch of tricks for the show and for me it's only for entertain. I think mostly people know about that, we only curious how the magician doing something like floating someone in the air, I want to know the trick 1 person likes this
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
10 Aug 12
Yes,,entertain and make me wonder about the trick..
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
9 Aug 12
In many ways, I assume something is fake, until it is proven real. cynical, I guess. I want to know that the things I think are real are real. Now I think I am talking in circles. For me, if I post something and you know it is fake, please tell me. That clears up the twists and turns of the discussion. I am someone who wants to know what is real and what is not.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
17 Aug 12
Often there are clues within style of writing. Then there are searches and Copyscape.All the clues fit together.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Aug 12
Santa Claus isn't real?
I only jest, I know that he isn't.
In any case, I guess it would depend. I mean if I was naive to believe it in the first place, I guess it'd crush me to find out it's fake or untrue. Though I understand how you feel on it, in most cases I would want to know if it's fake.
Especially if it pertains to online earings or health.
If it's just a cool looking photo, I could careless if it's real or fake, its' just awesome.. Now if I expressed I wanted to go visit the place the photo was taken, I'd appreciate being told "yeah it's fake, don't waste your money."1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Aug 12
I've had to do backtracking as well, many times. It's not an easy task...
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Aug 12
id rather know. if a person can tell me in a non accusing way like i have a friend that if i forward something she always sends back info from snopes and seems to be accusing me of being a dummy.
from the way she explains it. like i should have known better and why not check it out first, etc. lol. but yes, i dont mind being told the truth its just some dont know how to. @AmbiePam (92711)
• United States
10 Aug 12
I've gotten to where I just don't believe chain things. And I don't want to be passing on anything that is not true. Sometimes I look up snopes, but more often than that, I just forget about it and don't pass it on. It doesn't bother me if it isn't true. And if it's for safety, hey, even if it isn't true, maybe someone will be extra careful.
