Imagine how creeped out you would feel if you woke up, checked your email, and received a Google Alert for a profile of yourself that you never created?
Then imagine if someone pretended to be your blog. Even weirder, right?
Duplicate profile names happen all the time, but actual impersonation takes it to a whole new level. Someone has to study you and observe your habits. “Really looking forward to doing some sustainable twittering…” doesn’t sound too off the mark now does it? Maybe we need to invent a new word:
Profersonation – (profile + impersonation) the act of imitating or copying the behavior or actions of another through online social media.
In this case the identity thief followed all the Twitterers that the real blogger was following to create a shadow audience and bolster their apparent legitimacy. They parroted my self-referential use of the term “civic blogger” and included tweets referring to the Blog Bible release party and Democracy School.
This so-called “spovangelist” missed the mark on three subtle points. They are so slight, however, I’d be surprised if even my real friends could pick them out:
- If I were disappointed by RSVPs to a Wonderground Collective event I would never announce it. Trying to guilt people into attendance at community events is hardly an effective recruitment strategy.
- I generally do not refer to a general audience as “guys,” since half of that audience is presumably female.
- I despise the “slouch shot” that got selected for the Inlander’s “20 Under 30″ article, I would never use that image for any reason, let alone a profile picture!
Shortly after tweeting about the mysterious deception, I received an email:
Hey Mariah! I created this account to prank Remi – as you can see it’s been laying dormant. If you want it let me know.
spovangelist / spovangelist
But why would Remi, a fellow local blogger, care if I set up a Twitter account for the Spovangelist? Isn’t this more of a prank on me than on Mr. “Why not a Blog Qur’an?” At the end of the day no harm no foul. As they say, mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery!
Tags: Identity Crisis · Shock Value · Social Observations · Weird But True5 Comments
5 responses so far ↓
i guess someone pretending to be your blog on twitter is better than your blog becoming self-aware and deciding to self-tweet.
Not gonna lie — I lol’ed a couple times @ “sustainable twittering” and “didactic tomes.”
That is so weird! I don’t get what the point of it is, and knowing Remi personally, I don’t think he would really care. What a good prank…it sure really got him!
They were totally grooving to the music variety hour on KYRS.
Anything that begins with “twit” is best ignored.