It's the beautiful world of PostSecret.
Frank, the creator of PostSecret, is a life saver. In many ways, a hero. He's reached out to so many people, touched so many lives. He is an avid Suicide Prevention spokesperson. He's a husband, a father and a mentor. He genuinely cares about people, about us as human beings. He's on my list of top 5 people I'd love to meet one day, if I could ever be so lucky. He created PostSecret in the hopes of bringing people together who otherwise feel alone and desperate, telling them one postcard at a time, that they are one of many who are important, needed and loved. As someone who battles depression on a constant basis, such a community is important for me. In times of darkness in my own world, I've dialed that number so I could have someone to speak to. It's what I needed, and Frank made it available to me. I feel like I owe him more than just a thank you.
So, on to why I'm angry.
Frank created an app for the iPhone for PostSecret. To a true fan, this was great news. When I heard about the app I was so excited to see it, to experience PostSecret on a newer, interesting level. Of course when it was released, I immediately downloaded it. At first it was great. It was what we expected, except now we could reply to secrets and offer support and encouragement. Anonymous secrets were rolling in and I could barely put my phone down. Then the younger kids slowly started to show up, posting pictures of themselves, basically posting Facebook statuses, being silly. Then it got just ridiculous.. guys started posting pictures of their genitals, women posing nude, and whatever Tiger Text is, they posted that, too. Highly annoying, but it could be ignored.
But then it got dark. People were now posting child pornography, rape and murder photos and threatening to harm Frank and his family. Enough people complained about the photos that Frank hired moderators to censor the photos, but at 30,000 entries a day, it became a tedious task. The apparently the FBI became involved when the child pornography photos appeared. Frank was forced to shut down the app all together. Over the past few days, those of us that were true fans hoped it could be saved. We held on to a hope that somehow our sense of community could stay intact and we could continue to offer our heartfelt support to those of us that needed it the most. But, because of Frank's vision to go along with the posted Sunday secrets and keep the app 100% anonymous, there was no way to filter out the heinous and malicious content.
Today was a sad day in the PostSecret community. Because of ignorant kids, whose parents don't give enough of a fuck to teach them how to be productive members of society, because of jobless, pathetic trolls living in their parents basement who have no more of a life than to raid the internet, or whoever the culprits may be.. they ruined what was truly a genuinely good thing for people who needed it. I'm sure they don't mind, but for those of us that do, we are the ones paying for it. It's the ones who caused it's demise that won't miss it at all.
Normally I would have some harsh remarks for the ones who are to blame, but I just don't think I can say anything that could begin to touch the disgust I feel over this. I just hope they one day feel bad for what they did. They ruined it for everyone.
I, too, have used and enjoyed the PS app. This is sad news for all of us who have laughed and cried at the honesty afforded to us by Frank's creation. My favorite was the person that had a terminal illness and posted that they wanted to see the world through PS. The outpouring of love and support, and pictures from all over the world, for this stranger was truly awe inspirering! Kelly, my wise little friend, my heart aches for you because I share your feelings of loss. I often find myself taking on your feelings when you post or blog about what's going on in your life. You and I share a common heritage, our hometown, awesome childhood memories, joy, pain, and what has turned into a life long friendship that we uncovered after decades of knowing each other. Your love and support over the past few years has made a huge impact on my life. Many of you revelations have changed the way I think about the world, and how I treat the people in my life. There's no way that I can express how proud I am of the woman you have become! Where I once saw a litlle kid trailing after me and my oh so cool high school friends, I know see an amazingly strong and loving woman that I often look to for strength, wisdom, love, support, and understanding. This long and rambling comment was supposed to be a little note to let you know that I shared in your sorrow over the loss over the safe little world of PS. I guess I needed to let you know that I love an support you. You are never alone!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my PS secret regarding the previous comment is that kbullet29 is Kathy Jo, in case you didn't know.
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