Stephanie Rosenbloom, “Putting Your Best Cyberface Forward” (2008)

“In general, scholars do not think of impression management as an intentionally deceptive or nefarious practice. It is more like social lubrication without a drink in your hand. Those studying it online have found that when people misrepresent themselves, it is often because they are attempting to express an idealized or future version of themselves–someone who is thinner or has actually finished Dante’s Inferno.” [. . .]    —The New York Times (January 3, 2008)