Reality Sites

It would be imprudent to deny websites like “Fmylife” and “PostSecret” the labels as poignant reflections of social tendencies. According to Alexa, a site tracking the popularities of websites across time, the popular “Fmylife” has seen a spike in traffic since the onset of 2009, rocketing to the top 1000 sites in the United States. PostSecret, on the other hand, has traditionally performed well in web traffic and page views since its conception in January 2005. Yet the appeal of these “reality sites,” contrary to the undeniable nature of their success, is rather difficult to pinpoint.

“Fmylife,” a website marketing itself as humor with a touch of reality, has a devoted following with the young adult demographic. Despite the often offensive nature of a myriad of these short stories, adults and children alike bookmark this site and follow it religiously. The reason for its burgeoning popularity? Simple: recall those late nights where you forgot to do an assignment and hope your friends forgot to do it as well. That for some odd reason, you would wish ill on others, even your friends, so that you wouldn’t be alone in your mistakes and stumbles? Apply this to FML, and we have an answer to the conundrum previously posited. It’s difficult to explain exactly why misery loves company—perhaps its our animalistic tendency to want to be part of a pack, or simply the fear of being alone in an idiosyncrasy or problematic tendency—but it remains a very true axiom with regards to society.

And “PostSecret?” The very same, albeit with a more serious touch. Frank Warren’s site, which began rather unceremoniously in 2005, has now become a prominent figure on the internet and has even pervaded the literary sphere through a myriad of books dedicated to these anonymous secrets. Superficially, of course, followers of the site read the postsecrets and amuse themselves with lamentations and shame. But on a deeper level, “PostSecret” is a testament to the fact that everyone is human, and a reassuring reminder that we are not alone in the deepest recesses of our hearts.

And there are the naysayers, those who ardently stand by the contention that reality sites like such have no deeper connotations and no more significant meanings beyond their exteriors. But such arguments are to no end, for even then, these websites would serve as reflections of humanistic tendencies. If we’re not looking for a connection when we faithfully follow the downfalls of others, then the only other logical solution would be that we are naturally sadistic. Or that we’re drawn to the wanton animalistic tendencies that we all share. In that vein, I’d prefer the first excuse as to why these sites are so popular: because we just want someone to share our burdens with.

Reality Sites
It would be imprudent to deny websites like “Fmylife” and “PostSecret” the labels as poignant reflections of social tendencies. After all, just as we are what we eat, so too are we what we electronically consume. With “Fmylife” in the top 1000 sites in the USA with regards to pageviews and PostSecret a success since its conception, it’s clear that the appeal of websites depicting real-life tragedies and comedies has skyrocketed. Yet the appeal of these “reality sites,” contrary to the undeniable nature of their success, is rather difficult to pinpoint.
“Fmylife,” a website marketing itself as humor with a touch of reality, has quite a devoted following. And despite the often offensive nature of a myriad of these short stories, adults and children alike bookmark this site and follow it religiously. The reason for its burgeoning popularity? Simple: recall those late nights when you forgot to do an assignment and hope your friends forgot to do it as well. For some odd reason, you would wish ill on others, even your friends, so that you wouldn’t be alone in your mistakes and stumbles. And it’s not that you really wish harm on your friends. You just…didn’t want to be the only one. Apply this to FML, and we have an answer to this very curious conundrum. It’s difficult to explain exactly why misery loves company—perhaps it’s our intrinsic want to be part of a pack, or simply the fear of being alone in an idiosyncrasy—but its veracity remains.
And “PostSecret?” The very same, albeit with a more serious touch. Frank Warren’s site, which began rather unceremoniously in 2005, has now become a prominent figure on the internet and has even pervaded the literary sphere through a myriad of books dedicated to these anonymous secrets. Superficially, of course, followers of the site read the postsecrets and amuse themselves with lamentations and shame. But on a deeper level, “PostSecret” is a testament to the fact that everyone is human, and a reassuring reminder that we are not alone in the deepest recesses of our hearts. A universal insecurity hails from the fear of becoming a minority of one; and to quell that fear, no matter the outlet, is therein a humanistic priority. Because deeply embedded within the secrets of the unfaithful and the damned are pieces of our own hearts: perhaps to a greater level of extremity but no less real.
And there are the naysayers, those who ardently stand by the contention that reality sites like such have no deeper connotations and no more significant meanings beyond their exteriors. But such claims are to no end, for even then, these websites would serve as reflections of humanistic traits. If we’re not looking for a connection when we faithfully follow the downfalls of others, then the only other logical solution would be that we are naturally sadistic. Or that we’re drawn to the wanton animalistic tendrils that we all share. In that vein, I’d prefer the first excuse as to why these sites are so popular: because we just want someone with whom to share our burdens.