It can be if they perceive it authentically and then in turn push themselves.
This is the problem with all of the advertising, isn't it? This is what is causing a lot of the body-dysmorphia issues, as people aspire to be something that is impossible, because they believe it to be real.
but I've had some wild success online as well.
Depends what the definition of success is perhaps.
You do you - regardless of the critique.
The replies here just keep getting more cringe, feels like an episode of The Office.
Yes. It is not getting better, but at least perhaps there is a perspective shift. I don't think motivating and inspiring others through lies of achievements is a sign of health or confidence.
It's only going to get worse. The deep fakes are going to (and probably already are) messing with our minds to a degree that we may never be able to reverse.
Although it didn't work out in the end, I did just get out of a 2.5-year relationship with somebody pretty amazing who I did initially meet online.