Confusion about when it's my navigation, and when it's ATC

TxSrv writes:

How do you actually know they are real controllers?

I know where they work.

But I have trouble believing the typical ATC would regularly
spend off-hours directing nonpilots in a make-believe IFR
environment.

Is it also hard for you to believe that an airline pilot would spend
his off-hours flying a small private plane?

If there were many real controllers doing this, you wouldn't
have so many misconceptions about IFR, the few rigid rules
which are not to be violated, and the essential task of the
controller.

Why don't you try it, and report back here?

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