Should SimilarWorlds add an "Anonymous Confessions" feature? 👻 🤫

I like the idea but I'm not sure we can be trusted with something like that. It might be doable with a ton of moderation.
If I remember correctly we had the option of gifting anonymously? We see how well that went.

Andrew you do a great job with this forum! I think the idea of anonymous confessions is congruent with the overall theme of the forum

I think it would be helpful for some people. Perhaps only allow the gesture box and no comments too. This would give them more ease is getting their words out without fearing hurtful comments.

There are consequences for doing this but I still like it so yes.

Thanks for asking us about this.

It's not something I'm interested in, but I think it would be okay to introduce it on a closely monitored, experimental basis. You can always modify it as needed or scrap it altogether if there are too many problems with it.

I’m for it. I created a second account a good while back just so I could express what was weighing heavily on me without others knowing it was me. I don’t receive pity well and knew it would come if I shared those struggles from my main account. It would be a good venting option for those too reserved to do so openly, whether it’s because of the fear of infecting those closest to them here with darkness or because they fear the judgement that would follow by those hell bent on spouting unsupportive bs just for the sake of being an ass…which is why having comments disabled on anonymous posts (without having to pay for VIP) would be ideal if it comes to fruition. This site already doesn’t feel like the safe or even welcoming place as it once did, so it could just prove that even more if people are allowed to comment on what others are too fearful to share publicly.

It would be nice if people started focusing on what is said instead of who said it.

You know that this feature is open to so much abuse... even with moderation, I wonder if it would potentially be used as a pedophile's playground in much the same way as the image tab and photo galleries currently are???

I'm getting tired of seeing comments on pictures of 12-13 year old [big]GIRLS[/big] from men aged 50-60 and having to remind them that this is a literal child, the same age as their grandchildren to shame them into deleting the comments.

If you are going to do this, all "confessions" will have to be pre-approved in the same way as questions asked by the question bot are. Not only to keep the heat on pedophiles but to prevent it from becoming a new way to bully others and circumvent the rules on calling out other members by username.

I can see an enormous potential for abuse of this, however I do think it’s an interesting idea. At the very least it could be entertaining, and maybe it could even give a voice to things that would otherwise go unsaid and could use some guidance from the community.

I remember what chaos some of these anonymous confessions caused when targeted at other users and including negativity. If there was more moderation iy might work, but the site was meant to be anonymous anyway so I never understood why they had that section. I do not think I would personally use that section.

My first thought would be ick factor high. I mean the sleaze factor is pretty high already on here. Id be concerned that an anonymous confession feature would just amplify it in a really bad way. Id rather see a stories feature like EP had. I dont remember much how it was done technically but i do remember being encouraged to contribute more because of it.

It will need to be closely moderated, its a yes from me.

Not sure it's something I would participate in, but I would say yes, try it. You can always shut it down if it becomes chaotic. Maybe put it in it's own section, not necessarily on the main page.

As far as it becoming abusive towards other members, we already have that often here and many times using names/clues that leave little doubt. On the one hand it may give some a place to unload issues or guilt not even related to here. Which could be beneficial to them. Delegating [i]selective[/i] members is a good idea for that and other behavior.

We can't be responsible for how anyone will interpret or perceive some random confession. Plus, it's not like anyone is forced to read them.

Thank you, Andrew!

Closely monitor it, have questions reviewed prior to posting, or else it will be a terrible idea to even consider. All it takes is for a lapse in moderation and now an anonymous person is posting someone's information etc

No, there is enough weird stuff on here already. If you do proceed, then it should be separated from the main feed and someone would have to pro-actively select to go there.

I remember it being an absolute cesspool on EP.
I don't think it is worth the associated risks.

I'd rather have an option to turn off comments on our own posts.

IMMA CALL EVERYONE OUT ! I cannot wait

Aw. Like EP had. Yeah. Bring that here. 🥹

Isn't that what we're already doing here? Redundant.

It can't be that harmful, nothing can be said in them that can't be said in normal posts and not like ppl won't be able to report them if there's anything suspicious or illegal going on in them.

Delegating anything to your "selected users" to moderate would be a disaster. Some have their own agendas and have misused their "power" against members in the past.

In my experience i'd have to say no. Bad idea.

I say that because the whole point of SimilarWorlds is that you should feel comfortable enough to be honest in your approach and use.

It's already hard enough with the Trolls masquerading as occasional users who only seem to pop-up when fetishising something or pushing an extreme political view (possibly on behalf of a political group wanting traction on social media either to gain support or encourage hatred) only to disappear once they've libelled a respondent beyond exasperation.

I think it's a fabulous idea. 🙂🙂🙂 People would definitely use it as long as they were sure they would remain anonymous.

No, we should not enable this type of cowardice. If someone is going to confess something, they should be encouraged to feel empowered to own their confession (under their screenname which for all practical purposes is mostly anonymous) ... for the good of society and the SimilarWorlds community... and each individual's own self-development.

An anonymous confession (beyond a screenname construct) is valueless and in the long-term self-destructive.

Yes please!

Confessions was one of my favorite features on EP, but I can understand how it can be unsafe and someone might use information against other people.. If you can make it completely anonymous then it would be a good feature.

Not something I have any interest in, either posting or reading confessions. I understand that people sometimes need a place to unload and anonymously would be helpful.

Yassss

[quote]especially if we can delegate moderation to selected users[/quote]
Maybe it's worth trying that with regular posts first to see how that works out. It feels like some extra help with that is welcome anyway.

i like the idea, being a long-timer. there comes a point were you're just not anonymous anymore

it would have to be heavily moderated, tho

Sounds good we can be anonymous even on the anonymous sw. Ask things on here without our username I believe is how it would work.

I used to read the anon confessions on Experience project all the time. Loved it. I think, if I recall, there was only a gesture response available. I think it would be cathartic for some users, I would definitely use it to express my inner thoughts and mumblings. I’ve been asking for this for ages. So yes..please. You ever read unsent letters on Reddit? Some poignant stuff on there for example, it could be similar - ha ha excuse the pun.

Yes! Now I can share my deepest darkest secrets

I personally requested this 6 years ago, so yes. Lol

As long as it’s not used as a way to anonymously libel other posters (so, closely monitored) I’m okay with it.

I think it's a great idea

Yes. Worked well on EP.

Yes sir e bob

I wouldn't....I remember it's used for a battlefield too...but that's up to you I don't care anymore.

some users here loves entertainment and I use too but I've been there. I'm too old for this

Firstly thanks for asking the community. It is something unique to SW how admin do engage with their users.

Personally i do not see a need for this. Users here can be anonymous to whatever extent they like. If i wished to post about something without my user profile i can create a new one for that purpose.

So i guess tge question is what is the nature of the posts that people want to make anonymously

How can you prevent it for being used for illegali posts or pornographic posts, or posts about other users.

I'm not sure i see the value, but happy to have someone explain why

It sure would help me. SO MUCH I cant say to just anyone...or anyone...

But management got cautious after someone got killed on EP and the whole project went down.

Sure, go for it! And while you're at it, you might want to go for a profile pic that doesn't look like you're about to condemn someone to hard labor.

No..

🙄

I think it's something implemented for good fun, but it's viability will be heavily tested.

Any news on the group tools?

Which option would Trump exploit, er... um... choose?
Mine would be the opposite to that.

That sounds ok, people would use it I'm sure. It must be truly anonymous though.

How many long winded fake stories would end up on there?

As long as confessions aren't censored for content ...

I always enjoyed reading the nonsense. Yes!