Confessing on the Computer

Following the introduction of @Pittmakeouts, Pitt now has the Facebook page Pitt Crushes (unaffiliated with the Twitter account @PittCrushes) and Twitter’s @PittConfessions. Basically these pages allow Pitt students, and others, to bare it all with complete anonymity. Sometimes the posts are funny and obviously a joke, sometimes they are cute, sometimes they are creepy, and sometimes they are downright annoying. We even got a mention for one of our own Her Campus Charmers for Charity MCs. You have to wonder which posts are true, though, and which posts are just jokes. That might be why it has gained so much popularity—the outrageous things people post just might be real.

Here’s what people are saying about Pitt Crushes and @PittConfessions:

“I think it is flattering but at the same time a little uncomfortable because I have no idea whether I know the person who wrote it or not.”

— Pitt Sophomore, female, mentioned on Pitt Crushes

“I don’t really go on that. It looks like something I’d do in high school. I feel like it’s mostly freshman posting.”

— Pitt Senior, female

“I was really flattered. It’s nice to be complimented publicly like that. I wasn’t sure how seriously to take the compliment though. I wasn’t sure if it was one of my friends joking around with me or something. I didn’t feel creeped out or anything, I mean I kind of wanted to know who wrote it about me, but I was mostly glad it was anonymous.”

— Pitt Junior, female, mentioned on Pitt Crushes

“I actually posted something about one of my girl friends once because I didn’t really think people used it, but then it was posted right away and all these people started liking it. She wanted to kill me.”

— Pitt Junior, female

“It’s cute when people give a one-liner. It’s creepy when people admit to basically stalking somebody.”

— Pitt Senior, female

So there you have it. Pitt Crushes seems to be viewed as somewhat immature, yet most of the people I talked to, even juniors and seniors, admitted to at least knowing what it was. Maybe we aren’t as grown up as we pretend to be. Technology is making everything we say on the Internet permanent. We all need a place to say the things we wouldn’t dare attach our names to. Pitt Crushes and @PittConfessions give us a place to say all of those things without having them come back to haunt us when we apply for a job in the future. Also, the posts are short and sweet while still providing a glimpse into the secrets of somebody that you may know. While I have to admit some of the posts are annoying (Nobody wants to read your inside jokes—that’s why they’re called “inside” jokes), even the creepy posts can provide a laugh, although maybe not for the person that they are about. My best advice would be to think carefully before you post. It might be entertaining for others, but nobody wants to read that you walk past their room everyday or that you know their schedule. I’m pretty sure that if they ever do find out it’s you posting about them, you’ve already ruined your chances.

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