Not so juicy anymore
What gives you the right to sit at a computer and spread “juicy” rumors about me? Who gives you the choice of words to describe me and spread opinions on my behalf? Shut down as of Feb. 5, 2009, Juicy Campus allowed college students to openly display their gossip about one another. They bashed each other’s reputation just for the thrill of seeing someone else’s life go into flames because of what they’ve said. But why do something so sinister just because you’re allowed to without any consequence of any type? According to Matt Ivester, founder and CEO of Juicy Campus, “It’s clear that we have provided a platform that students have found interesting, entertaining, and fun.”
With an expansion of 500 colleges, students all over have logged into Juicy Campus almost every day and began to bash an individual, a gender, and even a race. Some simply read the new hot gossip because they consider it “fun,” according to Ivester. “Juicy Campus has raised issues that have passionate advocates on both sides, and I hope that dialogue will continue,” he said. There was no penalty behind saying what you feel about an individual, so why not let it out in the open where hundreds can read it and pass judgment upon that person. To the victims of this Web Site, the result was being scared so deep that the pain just seems unbearable. The question is, why do people choose to humiliate one another?
The Juicy Campus Web Site was just another excuse to give people a reason to talk about each other. It was another gateway to express the hatred of an individual’s way of living, or of life, or even their way of liberty. It was a scapegoat for those who see themselves as nothing more than a fly on the wall. It gave someone the ability to act in a childish manner and destroy someone else because they can’t seem to fit into society themselves. This made-up excuse to have “fun” is one of the reason’s people seem to want to commit harm to others.
First off I think this site is totally ridiculous. I don’t believe that Ivester intended for it to become a place where college students were allowed to talk about each other in a bad manner. Since it has turned out this way, it shows how today’s society acts in such a simple-minded manner. I understand that there may be someone that you completely hate and could care less about what happens to them. But you also have to understand that one of these days this could be your name. You could be the one looking at a computer screen, reading the various blogs posted about you. You could be the one crying while others laugh and pass judgment upon you based on something seen on a screen with the so called “facts” about who you are.
Juicy Campus should have not been allowed to gain the reputation that it acquired. Juicy Campus had the reputation of allowing people to verbally damage someone’s self-esteem. We can do better and spreading false rumors has to stop. We should know better.
It’s true that this is not the only Web Site that allows people to openly display some type of dissatisfaction towards another. Of course there’s Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and various other Web Sites that allow the same acts to go unpunished. Although Web Sites like Facebook aren’t initially intended for campus gossip, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It doesn’t work the same, as you can’t post comments anonymously—which was the benefit of Juicy Campus for those looking to spread rumors and talk down on people. Facebook is meant for you to connect with friends as well as Myspace. But from a personal standpoint, many seemed to use it as a way to promote their self image, which in return allows people to create perceptions about themselves based on what they are putting on these Web Sites. So OK, Juicy Campus worked as forum for gossip about people that the trash-talkers already know. They didn’t need a Web Site like Facebook or other self image-promoting sites to give them perceptions. They targeted direct individuals of whom they were already somewhat acquainted with, and rambled their distasteful gossip without ever having to reveal their identity.
Does an act such as spreading rumors about one another suggest that we gain enjoyment from others’ embarrassment like Juicy Campus so openly allows? Does it suggest that we allow people to pass judgment upon us based on the superficial aspects of ourselves and our lives? Think about it and then pass judgment upon that.
Share
