USD crushes page sparks online confessions

DANIELLE DEVRIES
CONTRIBUTOR

Much of the University of San Diego community is familiar with the Facebook pages “USD Crushes” and “USD Confessions.” The USD community assumes that these pages are run by a student or students. People are able to anonymously post their crushes or confessions to the Facebook page.

In an era known for technological advances, it is no wonder our generation is considered to be constantly “plugged in.” Texting and social media use are a part of most students’ everyday routine, and communicating over these mediums is often easier than face-to-face communication. Yet a growing trend is the idea of anonymous posting, which is becoming even more popular thanks to apps such as Yik Yak, an app where students can post their anonymous thoughts and confessions.

While there is some debate about whether these pages are meant for good fun, or are actually harmful to our community, there is no question that by virtue of being anonymous, people are more likely to express their true feelings. However, as people choose to hide behind the veil of a computer screen in which they cannot be held accountable for their feelings, many are calling for a return to traditional communication.

Sophomore Christine Keane has been mentioned on the Facebook page by a crush.

“While it was flattering to have someone take notice of me, I wish they would have just talked to me in person,” Keane said. “The only true way to get to know someone is to communicate your feelings to them in real life. Since I had no idea who submitted it, there was no way for me to even give them a chance. I think people need to pony up like they did in the past and have real conversations with people.”

Since the posts are anonymous, students often are unable to confirm the validity of the poster’s identity, causing them to question if it is actually coming from a true admirer or just a friend.

“Although the sentiment was nice, most of the time I feel like it’s just people’s friends posting about them, and coming from a computer, everything seems less sincere,” Keane said.

Freshman Alyssa Avery also feels that people should be more forthcoming in person rather than online.

“I was unaware of the confessions page on Facebook, but in general I think it’d be better if people had the confidence to tell the person what they feel directly,” Keane said. “Instead of doing so anonymously or on social media.”

Despite the obvious flaw that the pages stunt true interpersonal communication among peers, people seem to find the content of the USD Crushes and Confession pages amusing at the very least. However, some people have voiced concerns about what is being posted on the page, deeming it both annoying and, at times, inappropriate.

Junior Adrii Lagorio enjoys reading the pages in general, but does not like the increasing negative vibe of the Confessions page.

“USD Confessions and USD Crushes at first seemed very entertaining and fun for people to read, but after awhile I stopped following USD Confessions because it became a huge outlet for people to complain about all the bad and not look at the good,” Lagorio said. “I feel like negativity feeds more negativity and it seems like USD Confessions focuses on that, and is no longer fun to read.”

Sophomore Noah Thomas also commented on the tendency towards negativity on the pages.

“I heard about USD Crushes and USD Confessions second semester of freshman year. The idea of anonymous posts seemed pretty cool but as I soon learned, the posts were very hit or miss,” Thomas said.

“As the semester passed ‘USD Confessions’ turned into ‘USD Complaints’ and the cute USD Crushes I had known turned into posts about people saying who they wanted to see in bed or who has the best body. Personally, I find these posts degrading and unnecessary.”

Regardless of the way the page has evolved, USD Crushes’ popularity has remained constant, as students continue to anonymously post daily.

“Despite these posts, overall I am glad these two pages exist and I was happy to see new management revive USD crushes [when a post on the page indicated it would be shut down],” Thomas said. “Personally I have never posted in either, but I don’t feel that they are helpful or harmful to the community, just simply an outlet for those looking to express themselves without an identity.”

Junior Alec Knapp finds the pages to be harmless, claiming that they are meant to amuse, not to be taken seriously.

“I think it’s in good fun,” Knapp said. “Some people take it as an insult when the topics don’t actually pertain to them. People need to just calm down and shut up. Enjoy the humor in it. That’s why it’s there.”

It is up to the USD community to decide which direction the crushes and confessions pages go. Lighthearted posts are definitely more fun to read, but when one’s identity is unknown it becomes so much easier to admit your completely unfiltered thoughts. Anonymous posts may make for some interesting stories, but for some it hinders our ability to actually connect with those in our community on a different level.

Perhaps the most productive route is some good old-fashioned face to face communication. After all, if a person isn’t vulnerable and doesn’t put their true feelings out there, there won’t be progress made about their crush or future relationship.