Everybody Has A Secret, But Are You Willing To Share?

PostSecret is one of the top-selling apps in the App Store right now and for good reason. Launched earlier this week, the iPhone/iPod touch app has one purpose: To let each of us tell the world all of our secrets. If this concept sounds refreshing and a bit unsettling at the same time, you'd be correct and here's why. Created by PostSecret, the $1.99 app offers an anonymous way to post secrets for the entire world to see.  Each secret, which can be forwarded to others via Facebook and Twitter, includes text and a photo. Love your husband, but met someone online you think you love more? Cutting yourself hoping that someone will care enough to ask what’s wrong? Twenty-eight years old and still a virgin? These and hundreds of other real secrets have already been posted via the app, with many more added each day.

 

Posting a secret requires no username or password. In fact, while the app keeps track of each of your posted secrets, setting up a passcode can hide these from wondering eyes. To create a secret, first click on the photo icon at the bottom center of the app. Next, select either an existing photo from the Camera Roll or take a new one with the iPhone’s camera. Each photo may be altered using the app’s modest Photo Style tool (you can brighten your photo, make it black and white, or leave it alone). Then, write your secret using one of the preselected font styles. Next, modify the location of the text on the photo and select the whereabouts for your secret. Don’t worry: PostSecret doesn’t suggest, nor does it store, your actual location. For example, while you may live in Austin, Texas, PostSecret will suggest "Texas" as a more appropriate location. Finally, hit the submit button. Within seconds, your secret is online for others to see. Full features include:

• Discover the shocking and hilarious secrets from your school or city
• Completely anonymous - no personal information is EVER obtained
• Share your hopeful and heartbreaking secrets anonymously with the world
• Respond to secrets by sharing an anonymous secret of your own
• Reach out and connect with like-minded people
• Read the Sunday Secrets on your mobile device
• Find nearby helplines in times of need

PostSecret is an interesting concept and one that is perfectly suited for mobile computing. Not only is it a great way to get something off your chest that you'd rather not tell your real life friends about, but it is also a nice tool to see that perhaps your life isn't so bad. Still, beyond the many expected "I love you postings," what do you do when someone with a real problem uses the app asking for help? Sure, PostSecret offers helplines (crisis center numbers, suicide prevention information, for example), but beyond that, there isn't much you can do as a simple observer. Sure you can contact the poster (anonymously, of course), but that assumes they're willing to talk and listen. Given PostSecret's quick climb to the top of the App Store sales charts, its clear the app is already being used by a lot of people. Whether this is good or bad remains to be seen. Check out this video:

What do you think? Are you willing to post your own secrets and/or read what others have to say? Let us know by leaving your comments below.

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