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Failin.gs

failin.gs

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Re: Failin.gs

#32

Post by stephencelis »

samwithans wrote: post #12

What's stopping a person from creating a profile for someone (maybe someone who's "unpopular")?? Seems like it could devolve into juicycampus.com for... everyone.

This is definitely a concern. We're working on a lot of anti-abuse features that will roll out, though, before it leaves private beta.

Re: Failin.gs

#34

Post by stephencelis »

johnfn wrote: post #5

I remember how reading that Facebook was engineered to give you the most positive experience. This feels like the total opposite sort of thing. I don't think it will be a huge success, though, because as much people say that they want constructive criticism, what they really want to hear is how great they are. Going to this site would just be disappointing and frustrating for most people.

My friend (and the co-creator of the site) likes to point out that Facebook, Twitter, et al., are ego-strokers, and he wanted to make an ego-buster.

I don't think either of us expected it to become as successful as it has already. It's all just been a bonus.

Re: Failin.gs

#35

Post by stephencelis »

kellishaver wrote: post #11

This seems like it would be an all too entirely unpleasant experience. :( The thing is, the way I see it, for me, the friends whose opinions I really trust and value are the same friends who are going to straight-up tell me to my face if I have some flaw that needs addressing, whether I want to hear it or not, because they have my best interests at heart. As for everyone else's opinions, or the nit-picky little thing…

> the friends whose opinions I really trust and value are the same friends who are going to straight-up tell me to my face if I have some flaw that needs addressing, whether I want to hear it or not

This has been one of the biggest "why?"s we've gotten. I don't think it's that simple, though. Telling a person their flaws requires timing, braveness, and an open mind on the part of the listener.

In an ideal world, people would be receptive to honest criticism, and people would be honest in what they feel is worth criticizing.

The site, though, provides a platform where the profile user is requesting feedback that a good friend may not have thought worth bringing up, had never had the right moment to bring up, or may have been afraid to bring up and hurt the person's feelings (and their friendship). When the platform is there, it's easier to break the ice.

Re: Failin.gs

#36

Post by jaxn »

stephencelis wrote: post #27

I helped co-create this site and was surprised to find it linked here. It started as a fun project with a friend: a humorous idea that, as the attention it's gotten has shown, is apparently controversial, as well. I have to say, though, that what's surprised me most about its reception is that anonymity doesn't make users as vicious as many might think. I've been pleased with how many "failings" posted are sweet comp…

I got an invite today. At first I thought "Oh crap, someone has something they want to post about me!!!"

Then I remembered I requested an account last week :)

That initial invitation email kinda weirded me out. However, as someone who has had a blog for going on 9 years, this is an interesting new way to play with personal transparency.

Feel free to tell me I suck at leaving comments on HN, just post it here: http://failin.gs/profile/jaxn

Re: Failin.gs

#39

Post by stephencelis »

jaxn wrote: post #36
stephencelis wrote: post #27

I helped co-create this site and was surprised to find it linked here. It started as a fun project with a friend: a humorous idea that, as the attention it's gotten has shown, is apparently controversial, as well. I have to say, though, that what's surprised me most about its reception is that anonymity doesn't make users as vicious as many might think. I've been pleased with how many "failings" posted are sweet comp…

I got an invite today. At first I thought "Oh crap, someone has something they want to post about me!!!" Then I remembered I requested an account last week :) That initial invitation email kinda weirded me out. However, as someone who has had a blog for going on 9 years, this is an interesting new way to play with personal transparency. Feel free to tell me I suck at leaving comments on HN, just post it here: http://…

Thanks for joining! Please let us know what you think after using it a little while. We'll leave you a note for your profile if we don't hear from you ;)

Re: Failin.gs

#40

Post by rthomas6 »

transmit101 wrote: post #2

Many peoples' personal weakpoint: Listening too much to what other people think about them. This website has all the attributes to become a viral Facebook/Twitter hit, and it's clearly been designed to achieve this. But why not give it a miss, and focus on what you're doing in your life instead of on what other people think of you. Especially when they don't even have the courage to say it to your face.

You should write that on the creator's failin.gs.
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