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The fact that people share an idealized version of themselves on social media, cherry-picking only the best images, thoughts, and experiences isn't new. But the lengths they go to marketing themselves keep surprising even the ones who think they've seen it all.

I'm talking about r/Instagramreality. It's a subreddit whose members strip down the glamor of make-up, flattering poses, and all kinds of photo editing, and expose the truth behind the facade. It's been around since 2017, and we've written about it numerous times (here, here, and here), but even these folks still get baffled at how absurd some of these manipulations are. Here are a few reasons why.

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    A Fairly Popular Local Influencer Recently Made An Appearance On TV. A Lot Of Her Fans Apparently Had Trouble Recognizing Her At First

    A Fairly Popular Local Influencer Recently Made An Appearance On TV. A Lot Of Her Fans Apparently Had Trouble Recognizing Her At First

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    Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yikes. Filler is expensive. Always amazes me how much vain people will pay to turn themselves into literal caricatures of themselves.

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    In an earlier piece on r/InstagramRealityBored Panda spoke to Siobhan Ward, a primary therapist at Life Works, a rehabilitation center 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 behavioral addictions such as porn and gambling, as well as eating disorders, especially predominant with the likes of Instagram," Ward explained. "It may be that the addiction is not with the social media itself, but the social media has become a tool of other addictions."

    The therapist thinks people can't stop faking and editing their Instagram photos (even when it's an obvious lie) because of brain chemistry. "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."

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    "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," Ward said.

    #3

    A Man, For A Change. Not Sure If Satire Or For Real. Behold, The Wall-Bending Biceps And Butt

    A Man, For A Change. Not Sure If Satire Or For Real. Behold, The Wall-Bending Biceps And Butt

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    #5

    This Is Funny And All But It’s Getting Out Of Hand

    This Is Funny And All But It’s Getting Out Of Hand

    stonemilking Report

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    Steve Barnett
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm getting the feeling that I'm probably going to make more Slender Man jokes.

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    Interestingly, being reminded that social media is fake can also 'fill' us. In a 2019 study, researchers decided to investigate the effect 'Instagram vs. Reality' pictures (the ones containing side-by-side photographs of the same woman, one an idealized depiction and the other a more natural depiction) have on body image.

    They got together 305 women aged between 18 and 30 years, the largest demographic group of Instagram users. The sample had a mean age of 25.34 years, and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.98, indicating a slightly overweight sample. The majority of participants identified as Caucasian (69.2%), followed by Latino/Hispanic (11.8%), African American (10.2%), Asian (6.6%), Native American (0.3%), and 'other' (2.0%). The participants were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of Instagram images over a period of time: 'Instagram vs. reality" images, the 'ideal' side alone, or the 'real' side alone.

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    #9

    In Reality, Birds Flap Their Wings When They Fly

    In Reality, Birds Flap Their Wings When They Fly

    _waigwe Report

    #10

    Unfortunately Did Not Pass Her Photoshop Class Though

    Unfortunately Did Not Pass Her Photoshop Class Though

    fannywaffles Report

    "[The study found that] viewing the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images resulted in decreased body dissatisfaction relative to the ideal images," the researchers wrote. "Furthermore, the detrimental effects of appearance comparison were much less marked for the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images than for the ideal images. It was concluded that 'Instagram vs. reality' and real posts have the potential to bolster women's body satisfaction, but more research is needed to assess their longer-term impact."

    Siobhan Ward said that we need to become aware of what we believe we are getting from the Internet in order to start resisting its temptation. "By understanding why [we] turn to the Internet, [we] can start to think about healthier ways to meet these needs."

    #11

    This Guy Popped Up In My Feed As A Sponsored Story

    This Guy Popped Up In My Feed As A Sponsored Story

    Lksarchitecs Report

    #12

    Yes, The Giant Feet Syndrome, More And Coomon These Days

    Yes, The Giant Feet Syndrome, More And Coomon These Days

    Slow-Werewolf Report

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    #13

    We’ve Seen Tiny Heads…now Get Ready For Giant Feet!

    We’ve Seen Tiny Heads…now Get Ready For Giant Feet!

    meep_meep_merp Report

    #15

    "The Model Has Achieved This By Chewing On A Plastic-Looking Contraption"

    "The Model Has Achieved This By Chewing On A Plastic-Looking Contraption"

    metti-021 Report

    #16

    Photoshopped Herself Into Oblivion, Grandpa Can Stay Lookin Old Af

    Photoshopped Herself Into Oblivion, Grandpa Can Stay Lookin Old Af

    ZeuslovesHer Report

    #18

    From Her Profile vs. Tagged

    From Her Profile vs. Tagged

    Yayitselizabeth Report

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    Sarcastic Cow
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you photoshoped yourself hard enough to be Kate Siegel. Good job.

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    #19

    Reminder: This Is Not How These Women Look In Real Life

    Reminder: This Is Not How These Women Look In Real Life

    jassicassi Report

    #20

    Internal Organs? Never Heard Of Them

    Internal Organs? Never Heard Of Them

    look4alec Report

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    #22

    What The Model Posted vs. Photographer

    What The Model Posted vs. Photographer

    clutchkickmurphys Report

    #23

    She Was On A Popular Reality Show. I'll Never Understand Why They Do This When We've All Seen What They Really Look Like!

    She Was On A Popular Reality Show. I'll Never Understand Why They Do This When We've All Seen What They Really Look Like!

    TheStayAtHomeAtheist Report

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    Monday
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why accept the reality show invite if you've modified your online image this much is what I don't understand. You KNOW you don't look like your pictures, so why expose yourself? [Why change yourself this much is a question for another day]

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    #25

    Arms So Big They Warp The Plane Seats?

    Arms So Big They Warp The Plane Seats?

    FreddieL2103 Report

    #26

    This Cannot Be Real! Inhumanly Possible To Look Like This

    This Cannot Be Real! Inhumanly Possible To Look Like This

    fenixdarkdirk Report

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this is the guy from TOWIE (UK reality TV show) and he is dangerously thin at the moment

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    #28

    Girl I Go To Uni With Always Edits Her Photos Like This.. The Second Pic Is How She Actually Looks

    Girl I Go To Uni With Always Edits Her Photos Like This.. The Second Pic Is How She Actually Looks

    BigBootyBianca Report

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    ElenaK
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And she looks great! These individuals have serious issues!

    Tyler Six
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Self esteem and self confidence issues from society's unrealistic expectations or the more likely answer they just want attention

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    Terry Tobias
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the first thing that I saw. It's hard for me to feel anything about her lack of self-esteem when she literally cut one of her friends out of the picture. I think it's because she didn't like the way it looked with him in it. I only see selfishness and narcissism in her.

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    Mama Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you are that self conscious about your tummy to photoshop it then why wear a bikini in the first place?

    Laura Watts
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks fab as she is but omg if I didn't see the original I wouldn't have know photoshop skills are on point

    Kisses4Katie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s really hard hating what you see in the mirror. I feel really bad for this one cause I go through the emotions, I’ve just stopped posting anything instead of photoshop it.

    Kathryn
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems kind of mean to out her like that… An “influencer” stranger you saw on insta is one thing, but someone you know?

    Hrefna Frederiksen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks cute. It´s really saddening how much the male gaze and unrealistic beauty ideals have f****d up young kids like this. I read recently that girls start hating their own looks around the age of 6 because they mirror themselves in their mothers and female rolemodels. We really need to love ourselves more... unfiltered.

    Andy Hinds
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's going to shoot herself in the foot if she ever uses these pics for a dating site.

    Lisa Tetlow
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Next time get a tan, suck in your stomach, fluff up your hair and get the same results. I thought she just wanted the dude in the white shirt out of the picture.

    Llama_flower93
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I could tell all these young girls that the body type they want is a fad. Like 12 years ago the ideal body was totally different. I told a 20 year old that the large asses girls want now, used to be called fat. "Fat ass". And it was bad to have one. And she barely believed it. I'm only eight years older than her. It's such a fad!

    End Knot
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All these fakes might as well just wear those special effects green suits everywhere.

    Gail Nicholson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's literally turned herself into a different person. Her own mother wouldn't recognise her.

    Hermione
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So she leaves three untouched, cuts one guy out completely and turns herself into a Kardashian.

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    #30

    Her Index Finger Seems To Be Melting Down Her Bum

    Her Index Finger Seems To Be Melting Down Her Bum

    SunnyAmerican Report

    #31

    Her Gravitational Pull Is So Strong It Distorts Everything Around Her Waist

    Her Gravitational Pull Is So Strong It Distorts Everything Around Her Waist

    samiam130 Report

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    Tobias Rieper
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this whole page could just have a picture of Thanos after he gets the reality stone with caption now reality can be whatever i want

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    #32

    Two Of Her Fingers Are Thicker Than Her Wrist, Wtf

    Two Of Her Fingers Are Thicker Than Her Wrist, Wtf

    MelanieSenpai Report

    #34

    Even The Poor Headless Mannequin Can't Live Up To Ig Standards

    Even The Poor Headless Mannequin Can't Live Up To Ig Standards

    _queefer_sutherland_ Report

    #35

    When The Very Thing You Rely On Betrays You Lol

    When The Very Thing You Rely On Betrays You Lol

    Fvcknloner Report

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    #37

    The Face!!! And This Was A Sponsored Post

    The Face!!! And This Was A Sponsored Post

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    #40

    And She Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For Those Meddling Straps!

    And She Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For Those Meddling Straps!

    reakkysadpwrson Report

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    #41

    Subtle.... Her Poor Nose

    Subtle.... Her Poor Nose

    randomthemoron Report

    #42

    I Honestly Don’t Know Where To Start

    I Honestly Don’t Know Where To Start

    stfx2012 Report

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    Troux
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The background has the telltale stretch marks of Google Street View. Nice.

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    #44

    Reality TV Influencer Edits Her Photos To Change Her Skin Colour

    Reality TV Influencer Edits Her Photos To Change Her Skin Colour

    Secure_Yoghurt Report

    #45

    Famous Youtube Prankster Editing Girls’ Bodies In Video Previews. Lost Some Respect For Him For Perpetuating Those Harmful Standards

    Famous Youtube Prankster Editing Girls’ Bodies In Video Previews. Lost Some Respect For Him For Perpetuating Those Harmful Standards

    old.reddit.com Report

    #46

    Core So Strong It Bends Everything Around It

    Core So Strong It Bends Everything Around It

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    #47

    So Much Brightness

    So Much Brightness

    DaisyDandelion Report

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    Scagsy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wham! Looking happy because they had yet to give their love away at Christmas.

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    #48

    Found One In The Wild, Totally Natural Looking Face

    Found One In The Wild, Totally Natural Looking Face

    maginedrragon Report

    #49

    Online Shopping And.. I Literally Have No Idea What’s Happening Here

    Online Shopping And.. I Literally Have No Idea What’s Happening Here

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    #50

    Seen In Strasbourg. Influencer Pretends To Use A Selfie Stick As Entourage Shoots. They Were There For At Least 30 Minutes. Best Was Seeing Her Smoke After In A Winter Coat ‘Cuz It Was Chilly Af

    Seen In Strasbourg. Influencer Pretends To Use A Selfie Stick As Entourage Shoots. They Were There For At Least 30 Minutes. Best Was Seeing Her Smoke After In A Winter Coat ‘Cuz It Was Chilly Af

    notfortumblr Report

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    Scagsy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somebody had their picture taken, then had a cigarette. The rest of this story shall remain a mystery evermore.

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