http://postsecret.blogspot.com/This site is one of my favorite exercises in visual/verbal rhetoric (and one of my favorite sites in general, for that matter). Every week, thousands of people send postcards into Frank, a Germantown, MD resident and artist, who selects some to post on his site and others to include in his books. While it does not encourage people to do any one thing in particular, it does persuade them to do one of the most private things--sharing a secret--in the most public way possible. I think that the rhetorical strategy behind the concept of the site involves the trust that Frank has developed in his audience through allowing people to post their deepest darkest fears and anxieties without being judged. Like good friends (which many people don't have), Frank and his community listen and include everyone without bias, promoting a feeling of trust that enables the site to maintain its popularity.
Frank does, however, play somewhat of a role in the creation of this emotion. While he shares some of the comments he receives about the posted secrets on the site with the public, he only includes positive messages, messages of help, or those that are similar to someone saying "I feel that way too." One week, he allowed all comments to be visible and it turned many people off from the site because a lot of people were critical of the secret-sharers, which created a sense of fear and anxiety in those contemplating sharing a secret. By carefully selecting which cards and comments to include, Frank provides the trust needed to make this site as effective as it is--it has even had the effect of helping a number of people who are in need of someone to listen, going so far to save the lives of some who are depressed and/or suicidal.
This site is also an exercise in juxtaposition and arrangement, as some of the cards carry different meanings when placed around others or arranged in a different way (such as the one below). The organization and arrangement of the postcards are also up to Frank's discretion, enabling him to evoke certain meanings through the way he places the cards on the site and in his books.
Frank does, however, play somewhat of a role in the creation of this emotion. While he shares some of the comments he receives about the posted secrets on the site with the public, he only includes positive messages, messages of help, or those that are similar to someone saying "I feel that way too." One week, he allowed all comments to be visible and it turned many people off from the site because a lot of people were critical of the secret-sharers, which created a sense of fear and anxiety in those contemplating sharing a secret. By carefully selecting which cards and comments to include, Frank provides the trust needed to make this site as effective as it is--it has even had the effect of helping a number of people who are in need of someone to listen, going so far to save the lives of some who are depressed and/or suicidal.
This site is also an exercise in juxtaposition and arrangement, as some of the cards carry different meanings when placed around others or arranged in a different way (such as the one below). The organization and arrangement of the postcards are also up to Frank's discretion, enabling him to evoke certain meanings through the way he places the cards on the site and in his books.
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