The State of PostSecret

I love PostSecret and feel like there's been no slippage in quality. And I don't mind the pitches for the book since it's done at the end of the posts, the site has no other ads (I think), and they are generating money for a good cause.

If you think it is slipping send me an email exlaining why. I am sure I could be doing things better. Feedback is always welcome.

-Frank

I just looked at it for the first time. I don't get the attraction of it at all. It looks like a lot of rancid voyeurism.

I don't think it's slipped, however, you have to wonder if it is skewed toward a certain type of postcard sender. Meaning: How about a little diversity.

I still like it, but am not dazzled as I was when I put it in that story. (middle age memory check: I remember writing it in a story, but don't have a clue what the story was about...) Maybe I'm just spoiled by other sites, but I feel it's missing interactivity. But then again, secrets are supposed to be secrets...

I don't think it is slipping, and Post Secret is a whole marketing book in essence, if we are smart enough to read between the lines.

"I will be dead by the time you read this" is pretty provocative.

I advocate making immense wealth by doing next to nothing. Whenever possible. And now it is more possible than ever before in human history.

I love the business model: invite users to contribute ALL the content, including art to accompany text.

Like YouTube.

You contribute all the content, and they get all the rights to it. Not bad, if you can pull it off, and they have. Okay by me. I've contributed a bunch of stuff to them and I'll never see a penny from it, and I don't care, because it was all experimental.

Make money by doing practially NOTHING. I love it.

I don't know if "slipping" is the right word, but it's definitely different now than it used to be. So much so that I made a mental sort of tick-mark when it changed. I hate that there are no archives, and yeah, I do think it's become more about marketing now than it used to be.

With that said, I have to say that I love the post cards, and on Sunday mornings, Post Secret is the first place I go. Today, it hasn't been updated yet, I wonder if this post has anything to do with that?

I seem to always find at least one post each week that either takes my breath away, makes me snort with laughter or makes my heart hurt. I don't expect every card to resonate within me. I thought it was interesting the first time I saw it and it's growing popularity seems to show that others feel the same.

http://studiotwentythree.blogspot.com/2006/08/postsecret-exhibit-at-gmu-october-2006.html

I 100% completely disagree. Postsecret is just as amazing now than it was when it started. I bought the Postsecret book, and now I appreciate the site even more than ever. I look forward to seeing the new stuff. I especially love how people leave little messages and comments telling how they're not alone in their secrets. Amazing.

Has anyone had a problem getting to the website today? Everytime I do it states I'm not authorized. What's that about? I'm using the same computer I always do. Anyone else having problems?

I too check it first thing on Sunday, I have it bookmarked. I can't say I've noticed a decline, i do wish there was an archive too.

I have always been able to view the PostSecret site but at the moment it's not letting me at all. It says I'm not allowed to view it. What's going on? Anyone know??? I love the site and I don't think it's slipping at all, whatsoever! I think it's one of the most brilliant internet ideas EVER and I will continue to fully support the idea I wish I had.

Well, I have only known about PostSecret for about 9 months. I have enjoyed it, but cannot compare it to earlier efforts.

One question... is the site off line? I tried to visit a few minutes ago, and it would not allow access.

PipeTobacco

I have not noticed a slip in content, even if there is, can we blame Frank or anyone else? These are our secrets and if they are no longer gripping, we're no longer being honest.

I can't access the site anymore either, is there something wrong with his servers? I'm getting a 403 error message.

As to the content of the site, it's based on what the public sends in, so I can't see how it's Frank's fault if you don't care for it. I usually find at least one that stops me in my tracks. It really depends on the week though, sometimes there are more than others.

I'm going to join the concensus and voice my disappointment over the lack of any archives. I think that would make the site ten times better than it is now. Maybe Frank could even catagorize them to make for easy searches, from the light-hearted and silly to the depressing, so you could match your mood.

I seem to be able to get to it, but again, I don't visit often, so I don't know if they are up and down.

i feel like he used to put up more postcards, if memory serves correctly. Like there would always be a couple weeks worth of postcards. If that's what you mean by quality slippage, then yes, I think that's occurred, but the postcard secrets... eh, you can't blame anyone for that.

maybe we all have the same secrets and they've all been told now?

Why do we always have to find something wrong with what others put great effort to put together? Just because it doesn't keep your interest - doesn't mean that there aren't at least 2, 3 or even 10 others that have starting going to Postsecret and have been able to relate to those who write in and share their secrets.
I still think the site is great. I believe the quality depends on the viewer and should not be determined by those who cannot relate to the secrets posts but rather to those who can.

I think the quality of postsecret has _changed_. Which can mean slipped depending on how you see the world. It seems there are more cards that are over the top. More spectacular. Less sincere or likely to be true. My opinion. But maybe the base secrets have been around long enough to give new material a chance.

What bothers me is calling it a "community art project" while a tight little legal paragraph declares MINE MINE MINE. But maybe I am wrong. How about it Frank, can we all just use the images for anything, anywhere, in any medium?

I think not having an archive is part of the point, if you think about it.

I don't think having ads for the books is too bad. Frank clearly puts a lot of effort into selecting the postcards and he must have LOADS to go through. He deserves to earn at least some money for it.

Archives would be good, but the quality of the site is definately not slipping

I found another site that is similar but people can share their full confession on the site. Check it out if you get a chance www.myworstsecret.com