Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Sebastian Thrun: Google's Driverless Car
Is MySpace's "Tom" Lying About His Age?
Despite efforts to replace him, MySpace's Tom is still the most popular and most default friend on the ridiculously popular social networking site. Tom is, of course, Tom Anderson, the creator of the site, whose profile lists him as 32 years old. However, in what may be the most glaring example of why you shouldn't trust a thing you see on MySpace, (or online in general), reports are surfacing that Tom may be as old as 40.His Wikipedia page echoes the 32 age, stating his birthday as October 13, 1975, and his undergraduate date from U.C. Berkeley of 1998 seems to jive with that. But apparently Julia Angwin, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, is working on a book that uncovers, among many other juicy items, Anderson's real age to be 40.
We can't wait to read that book, but in the meantime, we were able to get some confirmation on Anderson's age discrepancy from some industrious online bloggers. It turns out that an unnamed "senior person" at MySpace confirmed to TechCrunch that Tom is really "36 or 37." Why lie, and why continue the lie for so long? (Tom's birthday on the site hasn't changed since 2003.) And, is this a big deal?
Well, lying about your age isn't exactly a felony, especially for a Californian, but it is kind of creepy, especially when you've got a bunch of kids wanting to be your friend.
What do you think? If Tom Anderson is lying about his age, is it a big deal?
From TechCrunch
Related Links:
- MySpace and Skype Join Forces
- Kids Spend Too Much Time Online, Say Parents
- Mobile MySpace To Launch Any Moment Now
16 Grammys Looks That Weren't Working
Whitney Houston Dead: Singer Dies at 48, Body Found in Beverly Hilton Hotel
Worst Movie Mistakes: Date Night Edition (PHOTOS)
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
How Hattie Lost 300 Pounds: 'I Was Ready To Do Whatever It Took To Survive'
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
PHOTOS: President Obama's Kissing Technique
Jennifer Hudson Whitney Tribute: Grammy President Reveals Why Singer Was Chosen for Musical Memorial
Grammy 2012 Winners' List: Adele Sweeps Music's Biggest Night
Matt Bomer Comes Out As Gay
5-Hour Energy: A Success Equal Parts Caffeine, Chemistry and Meditation
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Grammy Awards 2012: The Best & Worst Of The Red Carpet!
People With Easy-To-Pronounce Names More Likely To Succeed, Study Says
12 Grammys Stars Who Gave Good Style
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
The Top 10 Slacker Colleges
15 Funny Valentine's Day Cards
Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
JUNGLE SURVIVAL: Marines Drink Snake Blood, Eat Insects
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Oprah Under Fire For Controversial Tweet
PHOTOS: Thank God For Grown-Up Glamour
15 Funny Valentine's Day Quotes
Scuba-Diving Murder Trial: Prosecutors Drop One Charge Against Husband
Taylor Swift Does Great Depression Chic
PHOTO: Kate Upton Scores 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Issue Cover!
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
PHOTOS: Beautiful Scars
The 13 Least Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts
Comments
296
Subscribe to commentsJenniferOct 24th 2007 1:32AM
Who cares? Hes not my friend.
VahnOct 23rd 2007 5:02PM
Who cares.He looks about 40 in that old pic.
BethOct 23rd 2007 5:26PM
I care! I care so much it hurts!
hollyOct 23rd 2007 5:44PM
wow.. are you that bored that you are really doing a story on this? your boss must be proud *i say this with sarcasm* nobody wants to be toms friend first and foremost. when you sign up tom is automatically your friend.. he never writes you (personally) he sends out messages concerning the site and the crap going on inside it. And two.. so if he is really closer to 40, and his site says 32 but nothing has changed since 2003 maybe his is just set that way from when he created it from the beginning maybe his pages still has a glitch that that does not automatically update. If you are worried about your children you are retarded... HE MADE MYSPACE HE CAN PROBABLY HAVE ANYONE OF AGE THAT HE WANTS.. I AM SURE HE HAS NO NEED FOR YOUR CHILDREN... So calm down.. focus on something more important in the world, like all the molesters that are teaching our children in schools!
LeshayOct 23rd 2007 5:46PM
Leave Tom alone...! He's not hurting us...he's helping us network!
LagunaOct 23rd 2007 5:50PM
This just goes to show you that even the friendly-faced creator of a worldwide social website can lie. And imagine if Tom has another account, seeing as though he is the mastermind behind MySpace and therefor can create codes for that sort of thing. Being brought into the light as such as a lie can really distinguish your character, and deface what people see as such a friendly and helpful person.
I never liked Tom anyway.
John A. WilliamsOct 23rd 2007 5:50PM
Tom is still a friend of mine.
p4genotfoundOct 23rd 2007 6:11PM
Who cares?
hustle247Oct 23rd 2007 5:58PM
Really? Is there nothing else going on in the world for you people to write about? I'm upset I even took the time to read this, then comment... Find something better to do with your time!
HannahOct 23rd 2007 5:59PM
Who, if anyone, over the age of 30 has never lied about his or her age?
Most everyone in that age range has at one point or another--even people who work closely with kids (i.e. teachers, nannies, the guy who works at Wawa).
With that in mind, the author of this story needs to re-evaluate whether this piece is actually newsworthy or just a waste of space.
ChrisOct 23rd 2007 6:00PM
Myspace is for losers with no life who need the internet as a social tunnel rather than an information tool. Losers, get a life and I dont care what you say... you're a loser if you need to add yourself as a friend...Noobs.
CorryOct 27th 2007 2:47AM
i feel that my IQ has went down a few points after reading this. are you going to get some sense of more knowledge or find the love of your life by invading someone's privacy to find out if they are 10 or 11? just another back stabbing way of making money. what a winner.
brakshereOct 23rd 2007 6:02PM
Kids hanging with a 32 year old is just as creepy as hanging with a 40 year old. Why bother with the story?
smokeyanthonyOct 23rd 2007 6:06PM
Perhaps Tom knew all along that youth culture would propel his idea, and made sure that age and all else was aligned in its appeal. If he is 40, he looks great for his age. I had the privilege of shaking his hand, January of this year, and he is a nice guy. Good for him, and his progressive creation.
FranklinOct 23rd 2007 6:07PM
I wonder if this poindexter started Myspace so he'd have a way to meet little boys and girls?!
EdOct 23rd 2007 6:07PM
friggin dork space
papa bearOct 23rd 2007 6:08PM
Uh yeah, it's called youth marketing. People can handle a 30 year old still being 'cool' these days. If it was the '80's his age would have been listed at under 30 for sure. It's not a shock. No one would have joined myspace if it was run by a 40 year old nearing early retirement.
Every actor in Hollywood fudges a bit when they start out for the same exact reasons.
ElfriedeOct 23rd 2007 6:13PM
Nothing better to write about? Get a life!
BerriOct 23rd 2007 6:21PM
Who really cares? Has anyone ever concidered he really does not want anyone to figure out who he really is and how old he really is? How do you really know his name is Tom Anderson? Maybe it is an on line persona to protect his personal life? If I were in that kind of position, I would not want anyone to know my real name & personal information in fear some crazy stalker would hunt me down. Or the media would camp outside my house 24/7 so they can make money selling my pics to sleazy tabloids.
wesellbookssOct 23rd 2007 6:15PM
This is almost as bad as my old hometown spending four pages (including the front page) interviewing everyone from the barber to the Mayor's secretary because he (the Mayor) got a new haircut. What happened to real news?