An opportunity for people to reveal their true thoughts about you - however harsh - with the confidence of remaining anonymous. Confidence or cowardice?
I decided to set up a Formspring account because, despite all the criticism I’d given to it’s absurdity, I too, wanted to find out what people thought about me. I mean, who wouldn't? Formspring is a question-and-answer-based social website where people can anonymously ask the user questions which they can choose to answer, and they are then consequently shown on their ‘profile’ page. I started it with the intention of deleting my account after a couple days, and put the link on my FaceBook with the message ‘hit me with your best shot’.
The most personal question I was asked (and answered) was how many hours I planned to work at my restaurant when I returned back from Paris. My working hours? Really? My immediate response was ‘omg… is this my mother?!’ What could anyone possibly do with this insignificant piece of info, and why would any response interest them? My friends wondering how much free time I’ll have when I’m back or my boss testing my work attitude and commitment? Either way I think I passed, but it was still a fairly random question!
The questions I received were standard and everyday - favourite memory, favourite outfit, overall aim in life, best day of my life - and I answered ever one with my usual chatty tone, but it suddenly struck me seeing all my answers and opinions written down on an online page that I was one step away from being asked ‘favourite TV program when you were young/ Grandfather’s occupation/ Mother’s maiden name’ - all the security questions attached to passwords. Forget worrying about giving too many details away on social networking sites and profiles - people willingly give their info away to anonymously asked questions! Next they’ll be asking for my bra size or colour undies!
I admit I didn’t get the full experience of Formspring as I had no abuse, insults or invasive messages thrown at me which seems to be the norm for many others who for some reason have Formspring for fun. Does this mean I really am just a nice person or am I so boring people don’t have anything to ask?! Other questions were my thoughts on politics, my make-up regime, and 'what's the worst hangover you've ever had'. Hardly heart-breaking.
A friend told me when I suggested my ‘trial’ idea that Formspring isn’t for the sensitive. And I’ve seen how cruel and vicious people can be on Tumblr - another social site allowing anonymous messages from non-members. Is this the way of society today? Encouraging two-facedness; admitting your true feelings and personal hatred anonymously to a ‘friend’?
Formspring allows us to be the Edward Cullens of this world - not necessarily in attractiveness or life length - but allowing yourself to see how people really feel about you. And truthfully, I’d kind of hoped for someone to ruffle my feathers so I could see what people were really thinking behind my back (obviously it failed). Anonymity allows for total honesty, despite brutal. Formspring can be a laugh between friends but very often it becomes a target for vendetta.
It’s scary to think how much information you can willingly give away to a complete stranger, and however harmless it may be it seems a lot more risky seeing it written down than just saying it in a friendly conversation.
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