"Catfish" Implications

Our classroom's overwhelming response to Angela Wesselman's confession was disgust. The more she complimented Yaniv Schulman, the more students slid into their seats, cringed at the way she studied his teeth and eyes, and gasped as she spoke in Megan's voice. And while there was a creepy air to what Wesselman did, I find myself understanding her actions.

Wesselman, at the end of the film, is vulnerable and shaking as her charade is revealed. It becomes clear that she is a pathological liar, as even upon being discovered, she still lies that she has cancer and that Megan is in rehab. She still won't reveal the truth to her husband. However, the lies, while disturbing and upsetting, are not as earth-shattering or borderline illegal as the nine month profile hopping she did before.

I do understand why she retreated into her fantasy. She is a creative mind; she loves art, and dance, and nature, and based on her fake profiles, she likely loved writing and creating stories as well. Her retreat from a life as full-time carer for two severely disabled young men was to log into these accounts on Facebook and continue forging these interactions. It got out of hand, and her false identities took on a life of their own. Really where she went wrong was in claiming covers of songs as her own after ripping them off of YouTube.

I think a lot of people tend to demonize Wesselman, and by proxy the Schulmans and Joost, because of their attempt to justify her actions. However, we need to remember that there are two sides to every person. We see action and reaction, the manifestations. Within us are the reasons for the physical reactions, the emotions and thoughts which drive us, whether it be desires for sympathy or anxiety about one's worth.

Most people who get a bad taste in their mouth about Wesselman's actions focus on her being a middle-aged married woman flirting with a man in his early twenties. However, I was more bothered by her use of Abby to sell her paintings. I was very confused by her decision to do so. When I thought Wesselman had cancer, I wondered if it was to offer a legacy for her paintings, in the hopes that Abby might carry on in making the artwork. However, when I learned that the cancer was a lie, I became more disturbed by the lack of a reason.

In the end, I am glad that Wesselman stopped the lies and tried to pursue what dreams she could. I could see the good in her; her love for Ronald and Anthony, how she cared for Abby and her friends, and even how heartbroken she was about Megan. However, she doesn't seem to still be active in posting any art.

Of course, this leads me to wonder if I have the potential to catfish someone. I believe we all put forward specific online identities. Most people only post their best photos and share their brightest moments. A few seek sympathy online, limiting their social media use to asking for prayers or making vague, moping posts. Does my social media persona match me? Should I make attempts to be realistic about myself on social media?