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Looks can be deceiving. We’ve heard it a million times before, and yet some of us still fall for it. In the current world, hyperreality is taking over, and social media is no exception. As its users continue to push these limits to keep their fellow Instagram aficionados on a like-driven leash, one can't help but remember the words of philosopher Jean Baudrillard: “We live in a world where there are more and more information and less and less meaning.” The lines between real and fake have blurred, while true and false are hard to tell apart. Luckily, the subreddit r/Instagramreality is armed with 723k active members who dedicate their days (or maybe years) to exposing fake people on social media. Let’s have a look at their most recent ugly truth discoveries and if it’s not enough, then check out more Instagram vs. Reality posts here and here.

#1

She’s Back And Her Eyes Are Even Bigger

She’s Back And Her Eyes Are Even Bigger

kodaroni Report

Bored Panda spoke to Siobhan Ward, a primary therapist at Life Works, a rehabilitation centre that provides treatment for addictions and eating disorders, about the scope of social media addiction in the United Kingdom. "If you broke ‘social media addiction’ down into categories, it would encompass other process or behavioural addictions, such as porn and gambling, as well as eating disorders, especially predominant with the likes of Instagram. It may be that the addiction is not with the social media itself, but the social media has become a tool of other addictions." 

So why can't people stop faking and photo editing their social Instagram photos, even when it’s an obvious lie? The answer might be more interesting than you expected. In short – blame brain chemistry! Of course, all these neurons have a lot going on. In full – “dopamine is the neurotransmitter that comes into play with the addict - it is what tells us that we enjoy something and therefore need to do it again as it gives us pleasure.”  

“If the person is taking a lot of selfies that have to be “perfect”, then maybe they are not addicts. Instead, this could be a sign of a possible narcissistic personality disorder. Also if someone is posting pictures to get as many likes as possible, they may not be getting certain needs met in their life. They may not have the love, support or even safety that they need now or that they needed when they grew up and therefore have had to find another way to fill that hole.” 

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“One would need to become aware of what they believe they are getting from the internet in order to start resisting its temptation. By understanding why they turn to the internet, they can start to think about healthier ways to meet these needs.”

Of course, that's in no way an excuse for spreading fakery online. But at least we now know where to look. Hint: right inside your head.

#2

Oceans Have Hills Now Sweetie

Oceans Have Hills Now Sweetie

Foozlebop Report

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Ripley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She also forgot to photoshop the f**k out of her shadow.

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#4

Nothing Normal About This Picture.. At All..

Nothing Normal About This Picture.. At All..

melzzzzie Report

#6

3 Years On Instagram Turned A Lovely Girl Into This

3 Years On Instagram Turned A Lovely Girl Into This

Jakunai Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that she thinks this is beautiful, is what scares me the most

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#7

If We Don’t Have A Pregnant Model We Will Just Improvise. No One Will Notice!

If We Don’t Have A Pregnant Model We Will Just Improvise. No One Will Notice!

sarcastic-nurse Report

#8

I Mean... Who Needs Organs Anyway

I Mean... Who Needs Organs Anyway

mmamabear Report

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#9

All Of Her Photos Are Heavily Facetuned, But This One Is Just Beyond

All Of Her Photos Are Heavily Facetuned, But This One Is Just Beyond

shirais Report

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varwenea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tattooed one looks like a character in a horror movie that would suddenly open her mouth super wide blaring super sharp teeth. Meanwhile, the super long face on the left one is making her look stretched. Both are weird.

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#11

I Call This The Dorito Body

I Call This The Dorito Body

bubstheaxi Report

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I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whilst there is a lot going wrong I just can’t get past his arm. It looks like it is backwards.

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#12

Instagram / Tiktok

Instagram / Tiktok

Koshka69 Report

#13

Lady On Facebook Insists That There's No Editing, And Any Comments Saying Otherwise Are Blocked

Lady On Facebook Insists That There's No Editing, And Any Comments Saying Otherwise Are Blocked

chiiisai Report

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Bianka Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found her profile by accident, she's in one of the tag groups I'm in. That was before her photos went viral. I stalked her profile a little. She'd been in a serious accident, and has scarring on her face, and trying to compensate with editing I guess... It's sad, really. I guess that accident harmed more than just her physical appearance.

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#14

How Is This Supposed To Resemble Her Behind?! Just Looks Like 2 Balloons At This Point.

How Is This Supposed To Resemble Her Behind?! Just Looks Like 2 Balloons At This Point.

Moist_Cheeki Report

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#15

Left Is From The Official Show Account, Right Is The One She Posted

Left Is From The Official Show Account, Right Is The One She Posted

MoeApple2 Report

#17

Caught One In The Wild As They Say. He’s A Very Corrupt Lawyer In My Country, Posted This In His Twitter Account Recently

Caught One In The Wild As They Say. He’s A Very Corrupt Lawyer In My Country, Posted This In His Twitter Account Recently

Ximenaube Report

#19

This Girl Is Known For Calling People Ugly On Facebook And Says She Doesn’t Edit Her Pics....lol

This Girl Is Known For Calling People Ugly On Facebook And Says She Doesn’t Edit Her Pics....lol

xmarsbarso Report

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Phyllicia Goh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whether you are pretty or not, edit your pics or not, who are you to call others ugly??

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#20

This Girl And Her Demon Eyed Family Keeps Popping Up On My Explore Page

This Girl And Her Demon Eyed Family Keeps Popping Up On My Explore Page

fromapast-life Report

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JuJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They haven't turned the boyfriend yet...send the Winchesters for rescue

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#21

Saw This While Looking Up Hairstyle References

Saw This While Looking Up Hairstyle References

DungeonsandDoodles Report

#22

Local “Influencer” Badly Photoshopping On Different Clothes

Local “Influencer” Badly Photoshopping On Different Clothes

dankgarebear Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of those paper dolls that I had as a child. God, I'm old.

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#23

I Just Can't Deal With This One Particular Girl, I Just Had To Follow Her Because Of The Crazy Editing

I Just Can't Deal With This One Particular Girl, I Just Had To Follow Her Because Of The Crazy Editing

Shareeny Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why, why, why do people do this as if the public can't tell that it's completely fake?

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#24

Proportions Out Of Whack

Proportions Out Of Whack

reddit.com Report

#25

Hot Dog Fingers Strikes Again

Hot Dog Fingers Strikes Again

qersim Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The skin on knuckles and other joints show wrinkles, so they're edited out to enhance the smoothness of the hand. UGH.

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#26

My Hair Stylist Was Warning Me About Unrealistic Hair Expectations Due To Photoshopped Photos On Instagram Like This One

My Hair Stylist Was Warning Me About Unrealistic Hair Expectations Due To Photoshopped Photos On Instagram Like This One

shpecialkay Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely be careful about choosing a hair dresser, tattoo artist or makeup artist based on their Instagram, because a lot of them heavily edit the pics of their work

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#27

Girl What

Girl What

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varwenea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's so fake. Yet people throw money at her cosmetics. Plenty of vain people out there.

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#29

This Is The Mother Of A Girl I Grew Up Near. Her Instagram Is Full Of This Sort Of Stuff

This Is The Mother Of A Girl I Grew Up Near. Her Instagram Is Full Of This Sort Of Stuff

dankdiva420 Report

#30

Genuinely Upsets Me How Much She’s Edited Her Face Here

Genuinely Upsets Me How Much She’s Edited Her Face Here

reddit.com Report

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#31

Beautiful Girl... I Don’t Know Why She Does This

Beautiful Girl... I Don’t Know Why She Does This

paigesilvi Report

#32

Saw This On Pinterest. Girl Went Crazy With The Smoothing Tool. Her Face Literally Looks Like A Sim To Me

Saw This On Pinterest. Girl Went Crazy With The Smoothing Tool. Her Face Literally Looks Like A Sim To Me

reddit.com Report

#33

I Personally Hate The “Snatched Waist” Look. It Looks So Weird And Unneeded. We’re Humans Not Plastic Barbies, No Need For Unrealistic Expectations.

I Personally Hate The “Snatched Waist” Look. It Looks So Weird And Unneeded. We’re Humans Not Plastic Barbies, No Need For Unrealistic Expectations.

reddit.com Report

#35

At Least He Chose A One Colored Background

At Least He Chose A One Colored Background

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#36

That Dog Is Smooth As Hell

That Dog Is Smooth As Hell

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#39

Another Gem From Aliexpress. Tiny Head Big Body

Another Gem From Aliexpress. Tiny Head Big Body

reddit.com Report

#41

What "Natural" Looks Like Online vs. Irl

What "Natural" Looks Like Online vs. Irl

clrjhnn Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks really gorgeous on the right and I prefer her look there

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#42

Recently

Recently

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even all the work she's had done on her face, it's still not enough and she needs to heavily edit her pictures

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#43

He Likes Museum Enough To Photoshop Him In It But Not Enough To Be Really There ( I Think His Body Is Also Edited To Make Waist Smaller... But Not Sure)

He Likes Museum Enough To Photoshop Him In It But Not Enough To Be Really There ( I Think His Body Is Also Edited To Make Waist Smaller... But Not Sure)

reddit.com Report

#44

My Hairdresser Using Filters On My Hair, Setting Unrealistic Expectations.

My Hairdresser Using Filters On My Hair, Setting Unrealistic Expectations.

reddit.com Report

#45

Skin Online vs. Skin Irl

Skin Online vs. Skin Irl

clrjhnn Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people think skin on the left is somehow beautiful? It looks unnatural and creepy to me.

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#46

Got Blocked Within 60 Seconds For Asking Why Her Left Hand Is So Small

Got Blocked Within 60 Seconds For Asking Why Her Left Hand Is So Small

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#48

An Unconventional One

An Unconventional One

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#51

A Very Popular Cosplayer

A Very Popular Cosplayer

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#52

Okay But Why Does The Lolipop Be Like That?

Okay But Why Does The Lolipop Be Like That?

reddit.com Report

#53

It Looks Like It Hurts To Exhale.. Someone Get Her Some Clothes That Fit!

It Looks Like It Hurts To Exhale.. Someone Get Her Some Clothes That Fit!

reddit.com Report

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not understand why they do this, absolutely nothing wrong with unedited pic.

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