With all of our technology these days, finding out what people have said can be as easy as typing in a quote. Need a line from a John Wayne movie? Type in the name of a John Wayne movie. Need a presidential speech? Type in the speech name. The point is that whatever you say on the Internet can and most likely will be documented for future generations to see.
However, the popular site “formspring.com” is looking to change all of that, but for better or worse? The purpose of the site is to create a profile and post anonymous questions on other people’s profiles.
Unfortunately, what has started out as a website containing harmless questions and responses has
spiraled downward into anonymous name-calling and harassing disaster. Countless people have had terrible things said about them and no face to put the words to. People have begun to rip on each other with the ferocity and ruthlessness of a pack of wolves. Using the site as an outlet, people channel their negative energy and comments at one another just because they can.
Formspring is generating a lot of public controversy as well. A 17-year-old girl committed suicide last March after a string of insulting comments were left anonymously on her formspring. A certain feeling of power comes with the option to say things anonymously; be mature and don’t use that to ruin someone’s day. Ask questions as if you were asking them to that person’s face, or better yet, just ask them in person.
By Tyler Greene
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