The way to make this less cool? Have parents, teachers, administrators troll it with creative, funny, unoffensive Yaks. Problem solved.
Yik Yak, on top of all its other noxious features, lies to its users when it promises them "anonymity."
It's no more "anonymous" than Facebook is or was capable of allowing users to post "privately" or to restrict posts to "friends." It's no more "anonymous" than Craigslist, than encrypted email is "secure." Its no more "anonymous" than Snapchat "forever deleted" your photos ten seconds after you sent them.
Yik Yak records your IP address, our GPS longitude and latitude info, and the date and time you sent the post. IP address alone is usually all that's needed to identify a user, since most people purchase their computers with credit cards linked to their names, internet cafes require registration and/or credit card input, public libraries require people to use a library bar code to use their public computer stations, and so on. Even if one finds the computer equivalent of the old public pay phone, IP address coupled with time and date info, plus surveillance cameras, will be sufficient to ID anyone short of terrorists and spies trained in avoiding detection and/or using blocking technologies and specifically determined to use them.
If Yik Yak, the government, a plaintiff suing for libel, harassment or other tort, or any nosy person with enough money to bribe Yik Yak's founders (who have already demonstrated their moral bankruptcy & fathomless greed) into giving him or her the identifying info, Yik Yak "anonymity" will instantly evaporate.
It's no more "anonymous" than Facebook is or was capable of allowing users to post "privately" or to restrict posts to "friends." It's no more "anonymous" than Craigslist, than encrypted email is "secure." Its no more "anonymous" than Snapchat "forever deleted" your photos ten seconds after you sent them.
Yik Yak records your IP address, our GPS longitude and latitude info, and the date and time you sent the post. IP address alone is usually all that's needed to identify a user, since most people purchase their computers with credit cards linked to their names, internet cafes require registration and/or credit card input, public libraries require people to use a library bar code to use their public computer stations, and so on. Even if one finds the computer equivalent of the old public pay phone, IP address coupled with time and date info, plus surveillance cameras, will be sufficient to ID anyone short of terrorists and spies trained in avoiding detection and/or using blocking technologies and specifically determined to use them.
If Yik Yak, the government, a plaintiff suing for libel, harassment or other tort, or any nosy person with enough money to bribe Yik Yak's founders (who have already demonstrated their moral bankruptcy & fathomless greed) into giving him or her the identifying info, Yik Yak "anonymity" will instantly evaporate.
2
lacking the courage of their deformities, the anonyms are still no worse than their enablers...the site guys with "growing pains" easily qualify for intellectual dishonesty nominations from the dumb-down league, ditto the free speech equivocators (free speech is for who/where we say it should be).
the anonyms are the perfect product of of the multiple choice education and the socially bankrupt environment that has nurtured them...expecting cogency and responsibility from this is delusional.
h.c. ecco
the anonyms are the perfect product of of the multiple choice education and the socially bankrupt environment that has nurtured them...expecting cogency and responsibility from this is delusional.
h.c. ecco
1
OK, but have you ever used Yik Yak?
There is an old rhyme that used to be taught to children which correctly encouraged them to develop personal boundaries. It is an approach that acknowledges the fact that the words of others is one of the things we cannot change which requires a minimal amount of wisdom to see.
"Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me."
Get a grip folks and then work on your personal boundaries. Very few remarks of this sort merit acknowledgment let alone a response. Grow up and recognise that it is children of all ages engaging in this behavior.
"Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me."
Get a grip folks and then work on your personal boundaries. Very few remarks of this sort merit acknowledgment let alone a response. Grow up and recognise that it is children of all ages engaging in this behavior.
1
Amazing the alacrity with which the young (college-educated?) now fall into cliche, no matter how banal or perverse, in their urge "to express" not themselves, but the collective dehumanization of fellow humans. Freedom of Speech! What an absolute joke. I see no freedom in being trapped in language so expressive of nothing that its author signs itself as Anonymous.
How about some truly new wave thinking, maybe Montaigne or Pater or The Simpsons or The New Yorker? Not some adult version of potty mouth whose end result might be deadly or damaging at least. I suppose these same people will have children later on whose parental legacy is dad's and mom's id, like a dumb chicken, was "free range." The anodyne to this? A Jenny Holzer exhibit Yak if you feel the need to make some entrepreneur rich beyond avarice.
I have traveled somewhat and the perverse is ubiquitous, but in America, it transcends right into the "class" that will rule this country in a few years.
Yak this: " 'Jesus wept.' And with good reason." James Joyce. Do English majors, or non-majors? In America even read Joyce nowadays? They do abroad. At least his "cracked looking glass" provided a vision and he wasn't afraid to sign his Anonymous to it!
How about some truly new wave thinking, maybe Montaigne or Pater or The Simpsons or The New Yorker? Not some adult version of potty mouth whose end result might be deadly or damaging at least. I suppose these same people will have children later on whose parental legacy is dad's and mom's id, like a dumb chicken, was "free range." The anodyne to this? A Jenny Holzer exhibit Yak if you feel the need to make some entrepreneur rich beyond avarice.
I have traveled somewhat and the perverse is ubiquitous, but in America, it transcends right into the "class" that will rule this country in a few years.
Yak this: " 'Jesus wept.' And with good reason." James Joyce. Do English majors, or non-majors? In America even read Joyce nowadays? They do abroad. At least his "cracked looking glass" provided a vision and he wasn't afraid to sign his Anonymous to it!
2
It seems extraordinary that these two young men could be so skilled technically while devoid of understanding social skills. To not have some basic understanding of what might happen with this so called tool seems ludicrous.
9
"To not have some basic understanding of what might happen ..."
No one can predict the future, so why do you suppose the Yik Yak founders should be any different? Anyway, if you read the article carefully, you will see that they are idealists:
* "... they hoped to create a more democratic social media network ..."
* '“We thought, ‘Why can’t we level the playing field and connect everyone?’ ” ...'
* '“When we made this app, we really made it for the disenfranchised,” ...'
No one can predict the future, so why do you suppose the Yik Yak founders should be any different? Anyway, if you read the article carefully, you will see that they are idealists:
* "... they hoped to create a more democratic social media network ..."
* '“We thought, ‘Why can’t we level the playing field and connect everyone?’ ” ...'
* '“When we made this app, we really made it for the disenfranchised,” ...'
The site's goal is as a news feed, but the main event is posters trying to be news themselves. Since Forbes has featured it five times in its coverage, you can be sure that what causes disturbance will equate to market value. Bullying = capital. Nobody seriously thinks the founders and investors want to limit this potential, do they?
2
Someone needs to write a bot that floods YikYak with nothing but gibberish, making the app useless.
5
Spamming Yik Yak won't work, because the server can simply block packet floods. Further, a cyberattacker could get into legal trouble, because the company knows where the user is located:
http://www.yikyakapp.com/legal/
http://www.yikyakapp.com/legal/
like voting (anonymously) this platform allows people to 'vote' with their true words, rather than a PC delimited set of constraints. when people realize it isnt 'all about them' and that its not 'all about the others' either, but rather finding some middle ground that suits all. sooooo soorry, but, that aint gonna happen, at least not until every mind becomes experientially identical to all those other minds. and as the process of developing indepenedent thought and 'proper' critical thinking requires many differing minds working together, just isn't something ambulatory animals have mastered yet. feathers get ruffled, even in the best cages devised by humanity
After watching the 50th anniversary of Selma's Bloody Sunday, then seeing the video of sigma alpha epsilon frat boys at Oklahoma chanting an egregious racist rant which included lyrics about lynching, you realize that even college kids are too immature for this product.
Free speech did NOT protect the sigmas from getting thrown off campus and having their frat house nailed shut. All students have to comply to a student code of behavior which includes not cheating, no plagiarism--an honor code.
Middlebury and other campuses simply have to ban Yik Yak if the app creators can't filter and moderate comments. Discourse remains respectful on the NY Times BECAUSE of moderation. Just go on over to theblaze.com or Fox News website and read the comments to understand how complete freedom of speech turns quickly into the lowest form of denigration and racism.
We certainly do not need another social media site for racist rants and misogyny.
Free speech did NOT protect the sigmas from getting thrown off campus and having their frat house nailed shut. All students have to comply to a student code of behavior which includes not cheating, no plagiarism--an honor code.
Middlebury and other campuses simply have to ban Yik Yak if the app creators can't filter and moderate comments. Discourse remains respectful on the NY Times BECAUSE of moderation. Just go on over to theblaze.com or Fox News website and read the comments to understand how complete freedom of speech turns quickly into the lowest form of denigration and racism.
We certainly do not need another social media site for racist rants and misogyny.
4
So this is how the One Percent transmits power and wealth to the males of its next generation these days. Emphasize the "social" over the "intellectual." Get your little preciouses into at lease a halfway decent college, usually via legacy or sports admission, when all the expensive tutoring and test prep isn't sufficient to overcome your kids' mediocre minds and lack of academic interest, capacity for work or skills.
Encourage them to join frats & other old boy networks, then bond with the white, male, frat-boy clone of their choice over some new social media app that will hit a new nadir of uselessness to outright sadism. Be sure to keep all females (racial, ethnic and sexual minorities too) out of the money-making clubhouse; better yet, make the app a weapon specifically designed so that its most effective use, is by straight men against straight women; second best is by straight women against each other.
Provide the seed money for this venture. Yes, it will create a hate-spawning blot on humanity with no redeeming value, & after a few years, either multiple lawsuits against the founders, repeated subpoenas "outing" the supposedly anonymous users, &/or a death (or five), will force the start-up to wind-down. By then one's little preciouses will have socked away billions of $$, which they can use to start their next, even more evil venture.
Voila! You've just launched the next successful generation of OnePercenter parasites.
Encourage them to join frats & other old boy networks, then bond with the white, male, frat-boy clone of their choice over some new social media app that will hit a new nadir of uselessness to outright sadism. Be sure to keep all females (racial, ethnic and sexual minorities too) out of the money-making clubhouse; better yet, make the app a weapon specifically designed so that its most effective use, is by straight men against straight women; second best is by straight women against each other.
Provide the seed money for this venture. Yes, it will create a hate-spawning blot on humanity with no redeeming value, & after a few years, either multiple lawsuits against the founders, repeated subpoenas "outing" the supposedly anonymous users, &/or a death (or five), will force the start-up to wind-down. By then one's little preciouses will have socked away billions of $$, which they can use to start their next, even more evil venture.
Voila! You've just launched the next successful generation of OnePercenter parasites.
6
'...“I have been defamed, my reputation besmirched. I have been sexually harassed and verbally abused. I am about ready to hire a lawyer,” said Margaret Crouch...'
Ms. Crouch, you suffered none of the above; yes, you have been spoken about crudely and offensively and made fun of. However, you have not been sexually harassed or verbally abused. Even if it were possible to identify the writers of the offending comment, what you expect a lawyer to do is completely beyond me; free speech -- including demeaning opinions and thoughts (unless threatening harm) -- is still protected. Those students, as tedious and juvenile as they are, did not give up their rights when they walked onto campus. Were that the case, they would be prohibited from expressing those nasty thoughts to each other and perhaps even to themselves.
There seems to be an increasing expectation in this country that one should never be "offended" or insulted; while I realize this is a stretch, isn't that the entire basis of the violence perpetrated by ISIS and their ilk? If you, an adult, cannot tolerate reading what kids (!) "think" of you, then what kind of role model are you for them by wanting to silence them because you don't like what they say?
Ms. Crouch, you suffered none of the above; yes, you have been spoken about crudely and offensively and made fun of. However, you have not been sexually harassed or verbally abused. Even if it were possible to identify the writers of the offending comment, what you expect a lawyer to do is completely beyond me; free speech -- including demeaning opinions and thoughts (unless threatening harm) -- is still protected. Those students, as tedious and juvenile as they are, did not give up their rights when they walked onto campus. Were that the case, they would be prohibited from expressing those nasty thoughts to each other and perhaps even to themselves.
There seems to be an increasing expectation in this country that one should never be "offended" or insulted; while I realize this is a stretch, isn't that the entire basis of the violence perpetrated by ISIS and their ilk? If you, an adult, cannot tolerate reading what kids (!) "think" of you, then what kind of role model are you for them by wanting to silence them because you don't like what they say?
3
The founders are also cloaked in anonymity. There can't be people named Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington, can there?
6
If what you have to say is not worthy of having your name attached to it, it probably isn't worth saying!
3
What would we do without frat boys making the world a better place with stuff like'Yik Yak'?
6
The NSA builds viruses that wreck infrastructure and snoop and spy on anyone they please to spy on. This harmless little app is not an issue. Why not tackle some real cyber crime and bullying?
As to how to stop the abuse, perhaps Yik Yak could develop a program that would figure out the user population at a particular campus and then based on down votes and percentages, just expose the person who is posting the garbage when they reach a predetermined level of down votes. The revealing would be curated of course by the company, and not simply based on down votes as the Yik Yakteers could also utilize the history of that particular user to make the final determination.
4
Imagine if one could ban the written word, considering how much hate and bigotry is printed. Wouldn't that be a wonderful solution to the problem?
How can we condone sites that allows anonymous personal attacks. If this was the KKK, would they be allowed to continue?
2
We as humans all have a dark side, proven over and over again in events in history and in controlled experiments like the Stanford Prison Experiment and the Milgram Experiment (and many others). I'm sure friends and family of "haters" and "trolls" online and on Yik Yak and other media tools would be shocked at what these folks say -- the point being that many, many nice, normal people allow a very ugly side to emerge when they can do it anonymously. Yik Yak is not a meaningless tool -- it provides the cloak of secrecy that allows our important social contract to be broken, norms of courtesy and respect to be smashed, our core values to be exploded. Why are the benefits to some number of college students looking for a party more important than the harm this vitriol does to the victims and to our very social fabric?
12
"it provides the cloak of secrecy that allows our important social contract to be broken". One of the arguments used by the Nazis referring to the problem of the Jewish religion.
Dear Margaret Crouch:
I'd like to attempt to open your perspective on what we teenagers/adolescents mean when we say such posts on Yik Yak. The point of social media is to stay trending. Right? To keep updated with the new, staying connected with our peers, and so forth. So when one person, such as the anonymous student who started the trend of making fun of you in class, starts to say something (whether it's nasty or nice) that receives positive feedback then others want to be a part of that trend. My point is that these posts are not meant to personally insult you, instead these posts are just trying to be a source of entertainment for peers. In a few weeks from now making fun of you will be old news and there will be another professor to make fun of. Yes, I understand these posts can be offensive, but the Yik Yak users are still young adults who have not yet grasped how strongly their words can impact others.
I'd like to attempt to open your perspective on what we teenagers/adolescents mean when we say such posts on Yik Yak. The point of social media is to stay trending. Right? To keep updated with the new, staying connected with our peers, and so forth. So when one person, such as the anonymous student who started the trend of making fun of you in class, starts to say something (whether it's nasty or nice) that receives positive feedback then others want to be a part of that trend. My point is that these posts are not meant to personally insult you, instead these posts are just trying to be a source of entertainment for peers. In a few weeks from now making fun of you will be old news and there will be another professor to make fun of. Yes, I understand these posts can be offensive, but the Yik Yak users are still young adults who have not yet grasped how strongly their words can impact others.
The Yik Yak founders have successfully gamed the system. They will walk away with millions by helping to make the world a more hateful, intolerant place. They are like the gun dealers who say they are only selling the weapon, not pulling the trigger.
20
Rogue technology reveals undesirable and unpopular human language and tendancies. Must destroy said technology or people or both in select cases. We can't have people just thinking and saying whatever they want, or even just saying whatever they like. Every word uttered by every person is serious business.
4
I have no idea what you are saying, but "rogue technology" is such a great term, that I gave you a recommend. Could you explain how Yik Yak is "rogue technology"?
It is rather doubtful that we have free speech on college campuses if people feel the only safe way to express themselves is via sniper fire. Curiously, sniping is "antisocial". It also sounds like propaganda to read in these comments that students only cite the "witty quotes" of their professors and a few jokes (all innocent of course) about pulling all nighters. Are we really on the same planet here?
Evidently, this can be yet another way to make mischief, and I can see where it can hurt, though it might sometimes have some positive merit in the hands of a deft operator. It would probably be better to be "sociable" and work our differences over a couple of drinks in the pub. Gaining a mutual understanding is the heart of a genuine democracy.
The best situation would be that people are free enough to express their feelings openly with a name and a face, and, in turn allow others to express theirs. At least in the pre-revolution days, the anonymous letters were published only at the discretion of a publisher.
Evidently, this can be yet another way to make mischief, and I can see where it can hurt, though it might sometimes have some positive merit in the hands of a deft operator. It would probably be better to be "sociable" and work our differences over a couple of drinks in the pub. Gaining a mutual understanding is the heart of a genuine democracy.
The best situation would be that people are free enough to express their feelings openly with a name and a face, and, in turn allow others to express theirs. At least in the pre-revolution days, the anonymous letters were published only at the discretion of a publisher.
1
Thank you for the hilarious article. It made my day.
So Ms. Seman is a regular reader of other people getting smeared on YY yet when it's her turn in the barrel she is suddenly offended. Why did not the author ask her how many people she has read negatively thing about and why is it different when it's her?
Max Zoberman decides to take on the gossipers with symbolic gesture and is surprised when they say mean things about him. He really does not sound too bright as it's the reaction most people would expect. Crusading heroes should really be made of sterner stuff.
But most amusing is the philosophy professor who was quite happy until she found out that students make mean spirited comments about teachers. I went to college in the 1980's and there was lot of negative talk about profs then, why would anyone expect it to change other than the medium. Still the irony of a philosophy professor in a full blown hissy fit made my day.
Newsflash to the article subjects, the library is full of offensive books. Read them or not as you think best. Good luck on your quest to find a world where people only say nice things about other people. Until then you might want to give your YY accounts a rest. My daughter at age three said of her brother, age four, “He called me pee pee, trashcan and poo poo and that’s not very nice” Maybe she should have hired a lawyer…
So Ms. Seman is a regular reader of other people getting smeared on YY yet when it's her turn in the barrel she is suddenly offended. Why did not the author ask her how many people she has read negatively thing about and why is it different when it's her?
Max Zoberman decides to take on the gossipers with symbolic gesture and is surprised when they say mean things about him. He really does not sound too bright as it's the reaction most people would expect. Crusading heroes should really be made of sterner stuff.
But most amusing is the philosophy professor who was quite happy until she found out that students make mean spirited comments about teachers. I went to college in the 1980's and there was lot of negative talk about profs then, why would anyone expect it to change other than the medium. Still the irony of a philosophy professor in a full blown hissy fit made my day.
Newsflash to the article subjects, the library is full of offensive books. Read them or not as you think best. Good luck on your quest to find a world where people only say nice things about other people. Until then you might want to give your YY accounts a rest. My daughter at age three said of her brother, age four, “He called me pee pee, trashcan and poo poo and that’s not very nice” Maybe she should have hired a lawyer…
3
Absolutely the opposite of the sentiments that I expressed, but love your POV and totally get it! You don't like same-sex marriage? Then don't marry someone of the same sex!
$62 million in investment for a free product that has little chance of attracting advertising, and does little but help young, emotionally immature people spew vitriol anonymously to a massive amount of people within their immediate environment, instantly. The type of comments that will not only be destructive to others, but comments that the commentors themselves will likely one day regret. These 2 college grads really have to ask themselves what they've added to the world with this app, and who is benefiting.
As for the comment: "Schools will probably just stand back and hope that respect and civility prevail, that their communities really will learn to police themselves." Well, good luck with that.
As for the comment: "Schools will probably just stand back and hope that respect and civility prevail, that their communities really will learn to police themselves." Well, good luck with that.
10
From my sixty year old perspective this article was a hatchet job and my guess is that most of these holier than thou respondents have never even so much as seen a Yak. Anyone who has used the app knows that most if not all offensive Yaks are immediately voted off the site. What's more, Professor Crouch is a grouch. Rather than going off on some poitically correct rant about hiring a lawyer (how utterly American - she protested to her union representative, threatening to hire a lawyer - what a role model) perhaps she should step back and (what a novel idea for her highness in the ivory tower) learn from the experience. Perhaps she should be asking herself why 230 students in her lecture class are so disengaged and disinterested in her subject matter and delivery that they have opened up their Yik Yak apps to make sophmoric comments. Of course if you are unionized and, more than likely, tenured there really isnt any need for any introspection is there? Who cars if you are so out of touch and ineffective that you have become a parody.
4
What if, when a community, any community, grows beyond a certain size, it becomes increasingly destructive?
Communities function on peer recognition and trust. Even small, occasional violations of trust, or discredits of a member's peer status, weaken the community bonds. A single such event has a greater impact on a large community than on a small one, especially if communication throughout the community is rapid and immediate, with little opportunity for moderation of an original message.
Greater numbers bring a different kind of fragility; and younger members may not realize or consider long-term effects of unrestrained behavior, while older members may never have considered the scope of community supported through rapidly changing media. Dynamism and assumptions of stability have some common blind spots. If we are to learn as we go, we had better learn quickly.
Speech is a right with consequences; this is a matter of fact, not philosophy, and philosophy should know better than to dispute evident fact. Consequences reverberate both quickly and gradually. Responsibilities seem linear only when they are being avoided.
Communities function on peer recognition and trust. Even small, occasional violations of trust, or discredits of a member's peer status, weaken the community bonds. A single such event has a greater impact on a large community than on a small one, especially if communication throughout the community is rapid and immediate, with little opportunity for moderation of an original message.
Greater numbers bring a different kind of fragility; and younger members may not realize or consider long-term effects of unrestrained behavior, while older members may never have considered the scope of community supported through rapidly changing media. Dynamism and assumptions of stability have some common blind spots. If we are to learn as we go, we had better learn quickly.
Speech is a right with consequences; this is a matter of fact, not philosophy, and philosophy should know better than to dispute evident fact. Consequences reverberate both quickly and gradually. Responsibilities seem linear only when they are being avoided.
2
“ 'We made the app for college kids, but we quickly realized it was getting into the hands of high schoolers, and high schoolers were not mature enough to use it,' Mr. Droll said."
Neither are college kids.
It'd be so cool if suddenly each poster's identity were made available. Then these cowards could run, but they couldn't hide.
Neither are college kids.
It'd be so cool if suddenly each poster's identity were made available. Then these cowards could run, but they couldn't hide.
10
says "Airpilot".
"It'd be so cool if suddenly each poster's identity were made available."
Users don't register, so there is no "identity".
Users don't register, so there is no "identity".
And Sequoia Capital probably wonders why venture capital (and the technology industry in general), has such a bad reputation with regards to women and minorities?
8
This is what happens when rights are divorced from responsibilities. We have no rights without the ability to treat them responsibly. I shudder to think of an entire generation of humanity that never taught this to its offspring. And it is even more horrific there is now a generation that does not know such a thing even exists.
3
Not correct. Free speach, unattached to anything, is a right whether you like it, or not.
2
Free speach???
1
Hahahahahaha! A human right is what we have by virtue of our humanity, it is not something the government, can give or take away. The bill of rights does not GIVE us our rights. It guarantees to uphold them. I shudder to think of an entire generation of humanity who believes the government GIVES us our rights and can take them away if they don't like what we do with them. I shudder to think of an an entire generation of humanity who thinks other people behaving "responsibly" is "not doing anything I disapprove of."
Sorry but telling the truth would be the best policy but given society only wants to allow certain truths to be told, there will always be those who have to become anonymous to be honest.
1
Yik Yak is merely a forum of expression. It is not the first, and it won't be the last that offers almost pure anonymity. Anyone remember the internet pre-facebook/myspace when everyone operated under pseudonyms?
Maybe these are the types of conversations we need to raise awareness about the power of words to be hurtful, but also uplifting. Yik Yak is just the messenger. The problem isn't Yik Yak, it's the people who abuse the freedom it gives.
Maybe these are the types of conversations we need to raise awareness about the power of words to be hurtful, but also uplifting. Yik Yak is just the messenger. The problem isn't Yik Yak, it's the people who abuse the freedom it gives.
1
Saying something other people dislike is not "abusing a freedom."
What a truly sad commentary on college life and college students. Unfortunately, the hateful ones also tar the splendid ones. Too bad.
2
If you're upset by the comments on YikYak, talk to their funders (Sequoia Capital) not founders. Apparently the company has no revenue except VC funds. Many Silicon Valley VC firms are just looking for the next Facebook, while denying any sense of responsibility for their creations. If you persist in their board meetings, you may get them to change their behavior.
7
An easy solution to the dilemma of anonymity verses unprotected speech is to allow the app to post an unprotected comment with identification. Let each community decided what speech by their hate and violence policies what comments are not protected by Yik Yak's anonymity. Then this generation will have instant feedback on their civility.
THREE female professors teaching about post-apocalyptic culture (of the imagination, since that culture does not exist)... I'm sure all the Yik Yaks, or whatever, are far from constructive, but perhaps the unhelpful criticisms are a symptom of learning about a subject that has very little, if any, value in the real world.
I haven't read the syllabus of the courses the female professors were teaching, so I can't remark on it's content. But colleges are not "vocational school" and should not be narrowing their curriculum to "Climbing the Corporate Ladder 101".
It sounds like the bar for admission is a little too low, these students are still in high school at many levels.
It sounds like the bar for admission is a little too low, these students are still in high school at many levels.
10
The title of the course was "Interdisciplinary Exploration of Global Issues: Space/Pace, Purity/Danger, Hope/Activism", and it was despised:
The true story of how Yik Yak helped nix mandatory pro-environmentalism class
http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/21505/
Thanks to Norman, NYC, for that link in an earlier reply.
The true story of how Yik Yak helped nix mandatory pro-environmentalism class
http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/21505/
Thanks to Norman, NYC, for that link in an earlier reply.
its ironic the student were playing out 'Lord of the Flies' during the talk. I wonder if it was part of the course
3
The distasteful comments coming from the supposedly best and brightest that we have on our college campuses is a reflection of the isolated communities we live in. Segregation by race and income still dominate America and leads to people being raised in some very narrow environments. The parents of these young people are choosing to raise them that way. The parents of these young people are not exposing and talking to their kids about the diverse and very interesting world around them. They are not being taught to reach across differences but to fear and hate difference. We are reaping what we are sowing.
3
Reading about Yik Yak's inventors and user base makes me more sure than ever that we should reinstitute the military draft.
10
If you knowingly facilitate libelous speech, seems like the people defamed can sue you for damages. I hope Yik Yak goes under a storm of lawsuits.
5
An important public service announcement for every American under age 30: Did you know that it is possible to think a thought without posting it to a social media platform? As anyone over 30 will tell you, this "thinking" thing is perfectly safe. Your head will not explode, and the earth will continue to revolve around the sun despite the fact that humanity has been deprived of your observation/comment. Thank you, and best wishes.
17
Who cares? Some of the biggest ultra liberal, humanist and worshiped by the cosmopolitan, radical socialist left heroes published anonymously. So what's up with this whining about what some idiots said on Yik Yak? Well let's see. Since the complaint is head-line news in the NY Times it must be that this 'freedom of speech' disagrees with this paper's and its targeted subscribers positions on some issues. Seems like just more of the weirdly OK censorship sentiment that has guest and graduation speakers banned from campuses when some undemocratic, sacred victim minority decides to threaten a terrorist act - if opinions are expressed that hurt their feelings.
2
It appears that Yik Yak is not only anonymous, but it does not even require a fixed ID like other anonymous message boards. Such a freedom from any kind of mooring to hang the poster's reputation on allows people to spew hate freely. And the posters cannot even be filtered either, mentally or programmatically, because they don't have an ID.
The message board belonging to a Korean dating site had such a format. It eventually became a sesspool of hate of frustrated bachelors and bachelorettes. I suggested them to require a fixed ID so that the users could identify the posters, albeit anonymously. They did adopt a fixed ID format, and hate messages tapered off dramatically. And guess what? The traffic also tapered off dramatically.
The freedom of speech does not mean or require complete unaccountability. By not requiring even a fixed ID, apps like Yik Yak create traffic and make money by letting people spew hate without any accountability whatsoever, anonymous or otherwise. Meanwhile, the readers are helplessly exposed because they can't preemptively filter the messages. Banning such intrusive apps would not violate the freedom of speech, as long as the poster's real identity is not exposed.
The message board belonging to a Korean dating site had such a format. It eventually became a sesspool of hate of frustrated bachelors and bachelorettes. I suggested them to require a fixed ID so that the users could identify the posters, albeit anonymously. They did adopt a fixed ID format, and hate messages tapered off dramatically. And guess what? The traffic also tapered off dramatically.
The freedom of speech does not mean or require complete unaccountability. By not requiring even a fixed ID, apps like Yik Yak create traffic and make money by letting people spew hate without any accountability whatsoever, anonymous or otherwise. Meanwhile, the readers are helplessly exposed because they can't preemptively filter the messages. Banning such intrusive apps would not violate the freedom of speech, as long as the poster's real identity is not exposed.
4
Is this the entrepreneurship of the future. Instead of making real products that improve lives, the makers of today create applications that feed make anonymous abuse easier and untraceable.
9
What do you mean, post-apocalyptic? We are smack in the middle of it and what this article talks about is proof. On the one hand everyone is oversensitive and on the other a handful of insensitive children (of all ages) bully.
When I was in high school, pre-computers, a few of us were matching quarters in the school hallway. A varsity basketball champ lost the toss of his last quarter to me, threw the coin on the floor and yelled a gross racial slur at me. I was enormously embarrassed in front of my friends! I left that area and only saw him 20 years later when he was Pres. of the local bank. I thought about the incident from time to time. It was part of my growing up. I didn't go to the principle, the police, the lawyers or some newspaper reporters.
There was no excuse for the guy who insulted me as there isn't for any bully, but we have changed our definition of "bully" just as we changed the definition of many things, mostly sexual. We live in a time of pap. Everyone is a victim, no one is in a majority, and no one wants to be part of the grown up real world that's mined with bullies everywhere who run everything.
People aren't always nice, Life isn't always nice, and if we don't learn about it young we will live in constant terror of reality - which is what we seem to do. Perhaps that's why we fail to notice the bullying our leaders do - to others, elsewhere.
When I was in high school, pre-computers, a few of us were matching quarters in the school hallway. A varsity basketball champ lost the toss of his last quarter to me, threw the coin on the floor and yelled a gross racial slur at me. I was enormously embarrassed in front of my friends! I left that area and only saw him 20 years later when he was Pres. of the local bank. I thought about the incident from time to time. It was part of my growing up. I didn't go to the principle, the police, the lawyers or some newspaper reporters.
There was no excuse for the guy who insulted me as there isn't for any bully, but we have changed our definition of "bully" just as we changed the definition of many things, mostly sexual. We live in a time of pap. Everyone is a victim, no one is in a majority, and no one wants to be part of the grown up real world that's mined with bullies everywhere who run everything.
People aren't always nice, Life isn't always nice, and if we don't learn about it young we will live in constant terror of reality - which is what we seem to do. Perhaps that's why we fail to notice the bullying our leaders do - to others, elsewhere.
1
Anonymity rarely leads to "respect and civility", simply because respect and civility don't require anonymity. Racism, sexism, and general snarkiness thrive on anonymity. So which will be seen on Yik Yak?
2
But those things would exist with or with out Yik Yak. Now what?
I was responding to the line in the story, "Schools will probably just stand back and hope that respect and civility prevail, that their communities really will learn to police themselves."
3
Foul, vicious, demeaning, vengeful, humiliating, gossip has always been around. Now it's in an electronic medium; its none too surprising. Will it be worse?
2
YikYak is nothing more than a digital form of writing trash on the wall of the bathroom cubicle. I have no interest in anything developed by boys named Tyler and Brooks in the first place, and the fact that young-adult college students are acting like junior-high pimple people is more than a little disappointing. What prompts me to comment here is the overreaction by Professor Crouch. Has she never seen an Internet chat room? All that saber rattling about getting a lawyer and having been being defamed and sexually harassed, etc., equals documentation for a hostile workplace lawsuit. If she can't take the (unoriginal, ridiculous) rubbish that immature students throw out, perhaps she should find another profession. Teachers have been talked about behind their backs like this since time immemorial.
6
It's clear that the only lasting action against hate speech can be made by Yik Yak. Its "pump the breaks" pop-up and cyber fences are a step in the right direction, but without legal action, Yik Yak is unlikely to do more.
Those who have been targeted by anonymous cowards must take the step, however inconvenient it may be, to take legal action against Yik Yak to divulge the identities of offensive posters. Companies like Google, Yelp, and Facebook are served continuously with boilerplate lawsuits to divulge the identities and addresses of libelous or threatening users so that they may be properly sued. The companies then comply following a court order and the actual lawsuit then proceeds against the individual user(s). In time, the nuisance factor of such information request lawsuits may nudge Yik Yak to address the root of the problem.
Perhaps more importantly, it would also put the fear of God in would-be bullies. Remove the shroud of anonymity and users will have to face their targets like adults.
Those who have been targeted by anonymous cowards must take the step, however inconvenient it may be, to take legal action against Yik Yak to divulge the identities of offensive posters. Companies like Google, Yelp, and Facebook are served continuously with boilerplate lawsuits to divulge the identities and addresses of libelous or threatening users so that they may be properly sued. The companies then comply following a court order and the actual lawsuit then proceeds against the individual user(s). In time, the nuisance factor of such information request lawsuits may nudge Yik Yak to address the root of the problem.
Perhaps more importantly, it would also put the fear of God in would-be bullies. Remove the shroud of anonymity and users will have to face their targets like adults.
6
Tons of backlash in these comments, but I don't see any problem with this app. It's just a new tool for old communication.
It's exactly like a group of friends talking behind another person's back. The only difference is that the other person could easily overhear what is being said by logging on to the app.
Seeing as the app is open to the public, I have no problem with the police monitoring it for actual threats, but I really don't care that people can use it as a tool to hurt other peoples' feelings. There are plenty of tools that can be used to that extent, ranging from tech-enabled Yik Yak or 4chan to good old fashioned face to face (or behind the back) conversation.
It's exactly like a group of friends talking behind another person's back. The only difference is that the other person could easily overhear what is being said by logging on to the app.
Seeing as the app is open to the public, I have no problem with the police monitoring it for actual threats, but I really don't care that people can use it as a tool to hurt other peoples' feelings. There are plenty of tools that can be used to that extent, ranging from tech-enabled Yik Yak or 4chan to good old fashioned face to face (or behind the back) conversation.
3
Does "freedom of speech" include painting the "n" word on a black person's door? How is anonymous smearing different? The developers of this app were irresponsible and Sequoia Capital, who admittedly had concerns about this even more. I encourage Prof. Crouch to indeed hire a lawyer, and a lawyer who specializes in class action suits.
Stopping this kind of invidious behavior is what tort law is about. Sequoia has deep pockets and is worth going after.
Stopping this kind of invidious behavior is what tort law is about. Sequoia has deep pockets and is worth going after.
12
This social network has a lot of propaganda of violence, intolerance and incited hatred in the minds of students, but the joke is that the result is that the debate about the legal issues are more important than the moral and mental health of youth...
1
Thick skin is imperative.
With or without yik yak, people will face undeserved bullying. The best thing we can do is teach resilience.
With or without yik yak, people will face undeserved bullying. The best thing we can do is teach resilience.
2
Undeserved? Says who?
These guys are treading on thin ice by enabling hate crimes. I'm surprised the Justice Dept. and FBI haven't addressed the situation. The employees of Yik Yak should become pro active and deal with the problems. They are at risk for retaliation. A few hateful messages directed at the wrong person, and we have a "Charlie" event in the Yik Yak offices. I'm surprised no one has gone after the creators.
Just let them do their thing, then scratch your heads when Yik Yak employees end up end up in the ER or morgue. Story line "Who could have anticipated this?"
Just let them do their thing, then scratch your heads when Yik Yak employees end up end up in the ER or morgue. Story line "Who could have anticipated this?"
4
"Dude, the New York Times needs a photo for that story they're doing on us. Where should they take it?"
(thinking) "Bro, how about on the loveseat we put on the table?"
"Dude, that's outrageous!"
"Bro, WE'RE outrageous! Where's my little basketball?"
(thinking) "Bro, how about on the loveseat we put on the table?"
"Dude, that's outrageous!"
"Bro, WE'RE outrageous! Where's my little basketball?"
10
The photographer probably had something to do with the composition, which shows the work environment and staff in addition to the subjects. You can see more photos by Raymond McCrea Jones here:
http://www.raymjones.com/
http://www.raymjones.com/
1
Just what we need, an even easier way to anonymously bully people.
8
Admittedly, I am well beyond college age. That being said, however, even then I would have felt that anything someone had to say who was not willing to admit to saying was not worth getting upset over. No one can make me upset over what they say, I choose to be upset; and before choosing to do so I consider the source of the comment. If I cannot determine the source, it is beneath my contempt.
Banning Yik Yak because of a minority of offensive posts is like banning rest room walls because you find your phone number under "for a good time, call".
Banning Yik Yak because of a minority of offensive posts is like banning rest room walls because you find your phone number under "for a good time, call".
2
In this day and age giving anyone an anonymous source of speech is like lighting a building on fire. The world is filled with hateful, gutless people sitting at keyboards or pecking away at cell phones.
5
As a faculty member at one of the institutions discussed in this article, Eastern Michigan University, I just want to say that the behavior of the students noted here is in no way reflective of our broader student community. This behavior was unusual (as was the faculty reaction to it.)
So Dr. Droll never came to pass. Instead we got Tyler Droll of YikYak. In an alternate reality, if given a choice at a hospital, I'd sooner get seen by Dr. Dre and his assistant Nurse Eminem than Dr. Droll.
4
If he did go to med school he'd probably go into some highly paid specialty with minimal patient contact.
3
I just downloaded it, after being horrified by this article - I'm way WAY beyond my college years but work at a university and hadn't heard of this app. I was dreading what I'd read, but pleasantly surprised to find a lot of smart, funny, and even poignant posts. Plenty of drugs/sex/drinking ones too of course, but nothing actually offensive and so many seriously funny, clever and well-written ones that I actually feel BETTER about the students surrounding me than I did before reading them. How weird is that?!!
5
Give it a little time...or better yet...post something negative about someone and tell us how smart and funny the response s are.
4
"You know what I hate? Freedom of Speech. Let's get rid of it." -The New York Times.
2
It is ironic that Margaret Crouch and the other two professors, supposedly experts, do not realize that they are living in a post-apocalyptic culture. Yik Yak is part of the technological aspect of this culture. The huge freshman lecture is an artifact of the old.
Just how far down this black hole are we willing to go before we put on the brakes?
There is a lot that can be done without diminishing free speech. And much of what could be done would, in fact, make free speech a more useful part of a democracy.
There is a lot that can be done without diminishing free speech. And much of what could be done would, in fact, make free speech a more useful part of a democracy.
8
I have three teenage boys. What if an overwhelming negative response to a post lifted an individuals anonymity? That would seem to make people think before sending.
9
"O would some Power the small gift give us
To see ourselves as others see us."
Robert Burns
To see ourselves as others see us."
Robert Burns
6
This just tells us more about the character of American college students. They take after their bullying parents.
12
It tells you even more about the majority of the people commenting here.
1
Naturally some socially unconscious, insatiably greedy hedge fund manger saw profit in this despicable app. Get rich quick with hate. Just what we need more of in America. Anonymous - please take this app down. NOW.
10
How is yik yak any different than Topix?
It would be very helpful if the app were anonymous for about a year or so and then suddenly, unannounced, it's not, and everyone's real names appear next to all the messages they have written. Then the masks fall off and the monsters are revealed for who they are. That would be a very helpful and socially useful app! It would be a real social service if Yik Yak did exactly that. Hopefully it will. How helpful and amazing would it be to know who people really are beneath the surface! The internet hasn't started to provide that kind of social service, but it should. The technology is there. Turn the tables on the monsters and help the innocent out with an app for a change.
7
No. It would be extremely embarrassing to a whole bunch of people. If you think that yik yak is restricted to immature teenagers you are sadly mistaken.
It appears as though Middlebury College should offer more courses in Zoology. Whoever posted about Jordan Seman obviously doesn't know what a hippo is.
3
It is the anonimity that is the problem, both for this app and the Internet in general. Freedom of speech is not the freedom to hide from the consequences of one's speech. There is no Constitutional protection for that. The app creators are facilitating hate speech. If they are only willing to repeat the speech of someone anonyomous and shield them, then it becomes the speech of the app creators and they should then be liable for the consequences. Some defamatory or hate speech lawsuits thrown their way might make them more responsible. They can always change their app to only provisionally protect anonimity. Get enough thumbs down and have the speaker exposed, not just a deleted comment and civility will return. If the app designers choose to keep anonymity virtually absolute unless forced, then it is their speech and they are liable.
13
What version of our Constitution do you read?
The Milgram experiment all over again.
3
I'm an undergrad at Northwestern University, where Yik Yak has exposed campus prejudices of all kinds and, while it's rare, has certainly hosted threats of assault or homicide. But it's important to consider also how students use it philanthropically. Many Northwestern students have been depressed or sexually assaulted or just bombed a midterm (not that those three are comparable experiences), and Yik Yak provides them a space to reach out anonymously for support. Not many people on my campus would want to write a Facebook status about their depression, but you can yak about it, and nobody would know your name.
On any given day (especially in winter), the Northwestern feed hosts yaks about being depressed or wanting to commit suicide, but these are almost always followed by a chain of "reyaktions" encouraging OP (original poster) to seek help, to not give in, to go to CAPS (Northwestern Psychological Services), etc. Or maybe it's "You should think about filing a Title IX report. Here's how..." or "Hey, I bombed that midterm, too! We're gonna be okay!"
The abuse is one side of the story, but I think it would not be a stretch to say Yik Yak has created a space for eleventh-hour support that very well may have saved a life, or at least brought someone ease, somewhere along the way.
On any given day (especially in winter), the Northwestern feed hosts yaks about being depressed or wanting to commit suicide, but these are almost always followed by a chain of "reyaktions" encouraging OP (original poster) to seek help, to not give in, to go to CAPS (Northwestern Psychological Services), etc. Or maybe it's "You should think about filing a Title IX report. Here's how..." or "Hey, I bombed that midterm, too! We're gonna be okay!"
The abuse is one side of the story, but I think it would not be a stretch to say Yik Yak has created a space for eleventh-hour support that very well may have saved a life, or at least brought someone ease, somewhere along the way.
7
I have also seen, however, youth becoming too involved in suicide counseling on the Internet, and worry that the suicidal person is using the Internet as a substitute for professional help.
1
Messieurs Droll and Buffington wanted to "level the playing field". How did they do that? By dropping it down to the level of the meanest provocateur, of course. That's the easiest way to do it -- provide the dark of night all of the time!
How about you get anonymity in your private communications but you don't when you shout it to the whole campus? Taken together, these stupid apps and the NSA have turned privacy on its head.
How about you get anonymity in your private communications but you don't when you shout it to the whole campus? Taken together, these stupid apps and the NSA have turned privacy on its head.
13
"Yik Yak was created in late 2013 by Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington, fraternity brothers ..." nuff said.
13
Are you dissing their names or the fact that they belong to a fraternity?
People who use anonymous sites to attack others are the lowest of the low and cowards of the first order!
7
All of this sanctimonious rose-colored-backward-looking head-shaking over the abuse of an anonymous social media app is more sickening than the random college student using hurtful or slanderous one-liners that no one has to read in the first place. ("For a good time, call Mona Custerbach at 555-5555.") Name a decade and if this technology were around there would undoubtedly be the same fringe percentage of college-types spewing all sorts of verbal atrocities. (Not everyone was dreaming of peace, love and understanding with Van Morrison playing in the background.) People such as those here who focus on the tiny number of misogynist or racist rants relative to the student population-at-large clearly want to believe the worst of today's generation. Why? Look at all that you have wrought.
1
Biology/environment, chicken/egg. One can argue about what makes who and what we are, but ultimately we are all what we choose to be. The fact that we have bred a couple of generations of entitled twits, who think everything is all about THEM, does not excuse their increasingly sociopathic behavior. And anonymous Internet threats of sexual assault or other forms of bodily harm are NOT like scrawling insults on a wall. Unless the wall can travel all over the world on its own, that is. Trolls sbouldn't be able to spew their vitriol in anonymity. If they believe what they write, they should put their names and faces to it.
8
Not too long ago I read an account in which a professor had a small device, the size of a pack of cigarettes, which he kept in his pocket. It made cell phones inoperable within a short range, the size of a classroom or even a movie theatre. He never told anyone that he had such a device. He turned it on and watched the confused expressions of some around him.
10
Cell phone jammers tend to be quite illegal.
Seems like everyone's gettin' way over-sensitive.
Have a nice day, peeps.
Have a nice day, peeps.
1
You consider it 'over-sensitive' when someone is upset that threats of sexual assault and vile abuse are posted publicly about them? How about "everyone's gettin' way over-violent"? Charming little southern drawl as you blame the victims. Aren't you just adorable.
10
The overwhelming opposition of commenters here to this type of anonymous message board puzzles me. People seem to object to the ability to post negative comments anonymously. (Let’s stipulate I am not talking about posts that are illegal, such as threats of violence.) More than one commenter wrote that it should be illegal to post anonymously. Others said it should be illegal to post negative comments. Even more said the service should be made illegal altogether.
In reading the article, the first thing that came to mind was “if you don’t like the anonymity or the negative comments, just don’t use the service” —problem solved, no? Apparently, that’s an insufficient solution for most. They feel that if they don’t like the service, the appropriate answer is to shut it down (by law) for everyone, even for those who don’t mind or even like the anonymity and negative comments. That strikes me as a selfish and immature response.
In reading the article, the first thing that came to mind was “if you don’t like the anonymity or the negative comments, just don’t use the service” —problem solved, no? Apparently, that’s an insufficient solution for most. They feel that if they don’t like the service, the appropriate answer is to shut it down (by law) for everyone, even for those who don’t mind or even like the anonymity and negative comments. That strikes me as a selfish and immature response.
1
I don't understand how they can't identify users. Every communication on the net leaves a trail I thought.
3
YukYuk purposely obfuscates it.
While some will claim this application has no power, this is in error. The fact that it was invented and is gaining in use is in direct correlation to the times we live in. People are in fact increasingly crude, increasingly vulgar. The internet, and these sorts of applications are increasing the pace of vulgarity. Thing is, there will be no return to more civil discourse. Ugliness is here to stay...
6
If you don't like Yik Yak's anonymity or content, don't use it.
What's wrong with that solution?
Strike me as better response than seeking to deprive other people of the service who do like it.
What's wrong with that solution?
Strike me as better response than seeking to deprive other people of the service who do like it.
3
Someone needs to make a yik yak aggregation app by college so parents and students can evaluate where to send their children.
8
As we enter the age of digital rhetoric, we will continue to see more vehicles like Yik Yak; and we will inevitably place a cultural value on these anonymous words. While nascent and seemingly impactful - I think history will prove that such expressions will fade into the background along with tabloid news, classified ads and bathroom stall graffiti. Yik Yak indeed.
2
This is what it comes down to, with so much time and energy that our younger generations is spent not on productive activities, but just to constantly monitoring online forums to see what is said there about themselves and someone else.
In the bygone days, I have once addicted to irc (in the pre-AOL days) since it was kind of exciting to suddenly be able to connect to people in far-flung regions. That idea gets old pretty quickly and I moved on after less than half a year. There were people though who got on irc and never left (some who had been on for years before my time, long after they finished college since irc in those days were mostly for college students).
I can only hope that most, if not all, of these young adults would move on swiftly to some other more productive activities than to just stay vigil on their own online presence. Boy, how boring and tiresome that must be.
In the bygone days, I have once addicted to irc (in the pre-AOL days) since it was kind of exciting to suddenly be able to connect to people in far-flung regions. That idea gets old pretty quickly and I moved on after less than half a year. There were people though who got on irc and never left (some who had been on for years before my time, long after they finished college since irc in those days were mostly for college students).
I can only hope that most, if not all, of these young adults would move on swiftly to some other more productive activities than to just stay vigil on their own online presence. Boy, how boring and tiresome that must be.
4
These young people are as much of anything a product of their parents generational junk-talking to themselves, each other and the wall about themselves. No more indulged generation, ever, including 60's people. No sympathy. You broke it, you bought it.
5
I'm glad I washed out in the academic job market! I would have a hard time dealing with the anonymous sexual harassment and threats.
4
remove the anonymous aspects and it will stop this rampage from cowards hiding in the shadows.
6
Where is the line between free speech and harassment, and what is the difference between two people sharing an (admittedly nasty) conversation belittling other people or putting it on a anonymous social media? High school college age students are at a self-centered time emotionally and often don't consider how their criticisms effect others. No doubt a plethora of apologies would be heard if the offender was confronted. The best way not to be offended when dealing with this group is to stay off Yik Yak. We all have become entirely over sensitive.
Well there is a line between free speech and harassment. When it becomes so malicious it veers into criminal behavior. There's "hate speech" for instance. There's "cyber-bullying". We have always had laws regarding slander and libel. If you are stating an opinion that might be considered one thing, but if you write it down and it's false or a lie with the intention to defame- that's a lot more serious. And illegal. Serious and disgusting derogatory comments should not be condoned anywhere - the supposed anonymity people think they enjoy is a myth. And one should keep that in mind when "posting" anywhere. You publish, you perish.
4
What concerns me most about the comments here is how few commenters seem to appreciate, their personal desire to shut down the service or police the content of its posts or to de-anonymize the site, harms free speech.
The First Amendment guarantees people the right to say what they want (as established in “Brandenburg v. Ohio” 395 U.S. 444, 1969). The US has a long rich history of anonymous writing, especially critical political writing (many of the nation’s founders wrote op-eds under pseudonyms).
To these commenters I pose the question, who is to decide what offensive speech is and what it’s not?
Is it okay to call Osama bin Laden fat, ugly or stupid, but not ok to write the same about Mary or John or Patel?
Where is the line, where does it end?
The First Amendment guarantees people the right to say what they want (as established in “Brandenburg v. Ohio” 395 U.S. 444, 1969). The US has a long rich history of anonymous writing, especially critical political writing (many of the nation’s founders wrote op-eds under pseudonyms).
To these commenters I pose the question, who is to decide what offensive speech is and what it’s not?
Is it okay to call Osama bin Laden fat, ugly or stupid, but not ok to write the same about Mary or John or Patel?
Where is the line, where does it end?
2
The First Amendment speaks to government limiting speech, not private companies (or colleges). These dopes who founded Yik Yak, and the vile children who use it to slander others (wasting their parents' money when doing it while they sit in an 'honors' class), are simply providing a venue for disgraceful, cowardly rhetoric. I'm sure you want to give you and your pals cover so that you can gleefully taunt others; this has nothing to do with anonymous political speech. Don't pretend it does.
11
What we need, though I admit to its impossibility, is a new bi-partisan federal agency, the Federal Societal Impact Administration, modeled after the Food and Drug Administration. Instead of unleashing new apps and other technologies into the marketplace and dealing with the consequences afterwards in haphazard fashion, they could be tested and their (often deleterious) impact debated before being made available to the public. We don't argue that the potential benefits of new drugs outweigh the need to test and refine them before approving them for general use. Similarly, we should stop pretending that new apps and so forth are all exactly the same in their potential to do harm. We unthinkingly apply not only the first amendment, but if you think about it, the spirit of the second amendment to behavior and speech on the internet. The social fabric becomes even more corroded than it already was, and the people who really benefit the most ultimately are the inventors.
danschorr.blogspot.com
danschorr.blogspot.com
3
The concern here should not be the app but the underlying beliefs and culture it represents in the youth attending universities today. So much hate. Maybe this can be turned into a good thing. Expose the hate on these campuses. Make the student body address it. It may be anonymous, but when exposed it makes all the students look ugly. Millennials care about their freedom, but they care more about how they are perceived.
5
Golding's Lord of the Flies .... fiction? We're living in it every day. Our lovely sweet children only reflect the world they know. This app is wonderful in that it allows a clear window into what really lies in the hearts and minds of its users.
5
It is certainly a sad thought that these college students participate or even want to participate in this. Wonder what horror people they will turn out to be?
2
One option for counteracting all the negativity on there is to have responsible people trolling Yik Yak to report and "down-vote" offensive posts. At Colgate, for example, instead of having adults openly participate in a student app, which kids always resist, they could influence it quietly. There's an easy way to report Yaks, which sometimes gets them deleted (not often enough). If that doesn't work, getting a Yak to a -5 down-vote makes it disappear. When Yik Yak takes over a high school (even when the school disables the app, kids use it out of school all the time), get parents discreetly involved. The problem then is finding enough adults who can tolerate the language. Even when it's not offensive, it's pretty graphic.
3
What about the parents who are using it?
Thought-provoking article. As the online and offline worlds increasingly become blurred, it does seem that we are going to ensure the same levels of respect and accountability across all social media platforms.
The article mentions that schools are able to restrict Yik Yak's use on their Wi-Fi, but that students can get around the blocking by using their cell service. A startup I work with, Copilot Networks (maker of Copilot Family), solves that problem for the K-12 set. After students download the Copilot Family app on their device, the school is able to temporarily block any behavior (app, messenger, photos) across the BYODs on Wi-Fi AND cell service. Problem solved.
The article mentions that schools are able to restrict Yik Yak's use on their Wi-Fi, but that students can get around the blocking by using their cell service. A startup I work with, Copilot Networks (maker of Copilot Family), solves that problem for the K-12 set. After students download the Copilot Family app on their device, the school is able to temporarily block any behavior (app, messenger, photos) across the BYODs on Wi-Fi AND cell service. Problem solved.
4
But not the root cause.
We have the technology and this is a sad example of how we use it. I remember back in the "chat room" days of the internet, when I thought I would be having great conversations. HA! Boy was I deluded. Some friend described the internet as "where we argue with people we don't know and look at pictures of cats." The only good thing about these "abusive" Yak posts are that we now know what ugly thoughts some people have. And the cowardliness of being so "brave" to make these abusive posts while hiding behind a "curtain," is incredibly adolescent and worse.
5
The problem here isn't the immaturity of "kids," or anonymity, it's a cultural problem for this country. It's OK to say anything, no matter how abusive, or do anything, no matter how dastardly, in service of #1 - in business, politics or in one's personal life. Jealous of a colleague? Trash him/her behind the person's back, cubicle to cubicle, and to the boss. You're the boss, and a smart direct report is making you feel insecure? Trash him/her to your boss and nudge a few weak-minded lackies to do the same to that person's colleagues. Heck, put some carefully crafted but devastating statements in his/her performance review. Threatened by a political rival? If you can't find and smear enough real dirt, just make it up. This is the kind of culture we've developed, at least since the latest Age of Greed began in the seventies. Of course, malicious gossip was all that was needed to get women burned at the stake as witches not too long ago in Salem, MA, among other communities.
6
How long before it spreads to the worplace? Dozens of employees slamming the boss over everything? Firings and the unlawful termination suits that follow. Talk about a game-changer. Ugh!
1
With all the twitter, Facebook, yik yak, instagram,google+, Bebo, Fixter,, Jiepang and WhatsApp reading I do, it's a wonder I can fit in my NY Times.
2
I haven't checked out this app yet, don't know if I will. I agree with what many have said here and add: maybe this app will cause bathroom walls to be a bit cleaner. It's about human nature and what seems to me like a growing lack of personal integrity, self-respect and the resulting absence of compassion for other human beings. Sure, it's depressing, and it does seem like much larger numbers of young people express themselves much more crudely, nastily and in a much more mean-spirited manner these days, but's that's not really surprising. I mean, have you ever looked at the comments on YouTube? That's enough to wipe whatever smile you managed during video playback off your face for a good while. Completely vile and disheartening. But I'm also constantly running into young people who blown my mind with their tact, kindness and maturity which also always makes me wonder what my excuse is. I'm not sure if things have really changed much throughout the centuries, just the tools. I suppose that IS what this article is about, but the problem certainly has relatively little if anything to do with this app. It just makes it more convenient for people to say what they would find a way to say or express anyway. And people WILL express themselves. At least that's how I feel at this particular moment. Maybe this app is the beginning of the end. I kinda doubt it. I will say the two founders look very pleased with themselves. And I'm a lot more worried about Putin right now.
4
Somehow Western Civilization will survive this grave threat.
Seriously I think there are clear benefits that are going unnoticed here. This app puts stupidity and cruelty on display for all to see, and it reminds us that even in the rarified air of Middlebury and Exeter, people are capable of very cruel thoughts and very bad taste.
These are kids who are going to grow up to rule the world, so if nothing else it is good for them to be aware of their dark side or at very least the dark side of their peers.
And undoubtedly some of the "bad" posts are made simply in the vein of throwing a ball of yarn at a cat and seeing what happens. People are posting offensive stuff just to see how fast it will get downvoted. This is kids at play, and adults shouldn't lose sight of that.
Seriously I think there are clear benefits that are going unnoticed here. This app puts stupidity and cruelty on display for all to see, and it reminds us that even in the rarified air of Middlebury and Exeter, people are capable of very cruel thoughts and very bad taste.
These are kids who are going to grow up to rule the world, so if nothing else it is good for them to be aware of their dark side or at very least the dark side of their peers.
And undoubtedly some of the "bad" posts are made simply in the vein of throwing a ball of yarn at a cat and seeing what happens. People are posting offensive stuff just to see how fast it will get downvoted. This is kids at play, and adults shouldn't lose sight of that.
3
So this is what we are doing with modern technology now, trying to make money through anonymous character assassination. How does one justify giving internet trolls a way to bully others and still keep any self respect? I'll bet the people at Furman are so proud of this shining example of what they are turning loose on the people.
3
This app will continue to be wildly popular because people are sick and tired of speech acts being labelled "hate crimes." It is an outlet for people say what they want (free speech and all that) without risking being fired from a job, kicked out of school, or sued. I personally know two people who has been fired from work because of posts they made on local news sites. None of their comments were racists but they did not take a liberal view of issues concerning race, which in the current over sensitive climate is the same as being a racist. Apps like this are needed at as antidote to political correctness especially on college campuses where speech codes are inappropriately enforced.
To me, political correctness is synonymous with kindness and good manners. Why mask nastiness under the guise of honesty?
5
The constitutional prohibition against government limiting political speech has been interpreted by a generation of ninnies as giving them the right to say anything about anyone anywhere and at any time.
Perhaps it's time to make some room in school curricula for civics and how courts have interpreted the right of "free speech."
Perhaps it's time to make some room in school curricula for civics and how courts have interpreted the right of "free speech."
2
The internet's facilitation of anonymity has shined a light on the hidden ugliness of people; including highly educated ones. People write things that they would be ashamed to say in traditional social settings.
4
Once again capitalism has spawned another way for people to hate on one another. Americans should demonstrate our real cultural identity of responsibilty and caring by not using Yik Yak.
1
You can't blame "capitalism": "The Yik Yak app is free. Like many tech start-ups, the company, based in Atlanta, doesn’t generate any revenue."
1
Great. One more thing for me to worry about as I send my teenage daughter to college.
5
How would you prioritize Yik Yak in your list of worries?
Tell her to stay off anonymous social media and to refrain from drinking and she should be fine.
There are a lot of people who don't belong in college. Those producing this communication are just one example.
4
I guess we need a PC Panel.
Mr. Droll and Mr. Buckington are missing the point: The only reason Yik Yak exists is for users of the app to hide behind anonymity to blast negative, hateful, racist, crude remarks (and worse). Does one need to be anonymous to share positive world views or compliments? No. Yik Yak provides a forum where you can opt to be weak and hide as a spewer of insult and injury. I'd like the founders of Yik Yak to share the millions of overwhelmingly positive Yaks that have been posted daily on campuses not requiring no police, parental nor University intervention.
7
"“I have been defamed, my reputation besmirched. I have been sexually harassed and verbally abused,” she wrote to her union representative. “I am about ready to hire a lawyer.”"
Grow up! My god... You allow a bunch of little froshies to rattle your cage. You have no business being a University professor if such mindless tripe gets under your skin.
Grow up! My god... You allow a bunch of little froshies to rattle your cage. You have no business being a University professor if such mindless tripe gets under your skin.
5
You wouldn't say that if you were in her shoes. It's like having people screaming obscnities in your office.
5
Apparently, you have no idea how peoples' careers can be devastated, even ended, by such kinds of "mindless tripe," especially for university professors. Those kinds of statements - especially if added to a teacher evaluation by a mindless, malicious, self-serving student - can easily be manipulated by jealous or threatened colleagues or administrators to deem a professor incompetent in a performance appraisal. I'm sure it happens in all businesses. The ones who need to "grow up" are the malicious creeps who make these so-called "mindless" statements.
5
The yakking should read Robert Heinlein's comments on an armed society and the risks of abusive behavior.
We see to it that our children are taught everything under the sun--with the exception of character building. With apps like Yik yak being so new, parents are technologically ignorant of the vitriol written by their own children.
How often do parents sit down and have THE talk? Not about the birds and the bees, but character building. Saying something about someone through keyboard courage reflects a lack of character. No longer must we look a person in the eye or apologize when wrong--unless pressed to do so. That honest, straight forward action has disappeared in people under thirty.
How will all of this anonymous, mean form of communication effect the American Soul?
How often do parents sit down and have THE talk? Not about the birds and the bees, but character building. Saying something about someone through keyboard courage reflects a lack of character. No longer must we look a person in the eye or apologize when wrong--unless pressed to do so. That honest, straight forward action has disappeared in people under thirty.
How will all of this anonymous, mean form of communication effect the American Soul?
13
The American Soul, as you put it, has already been destroyed, of which this is just one example. Too many young people, including my granddaughter, when I asked her about her future plans, said her plan was to , "make a lot of money." And, yesterday, while I walked home from the movies in downtown Stamford, Ct., I passed a bar on Bedford Street where a group of five or six young people were gathered in a circle, As I approached I wondered, would they move aside to let us pass, or just stand there, oblivious. Of course, they did not move. These people were college grads. The question is: did they belong in college? Who was the author of the book: "Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?"
1
"... parents are technologically ignorant ..."
Have you never seen a parent texting while pushing a baby stroller or driving?
Have you never seen a parent texting while pushing a baby stroller or driving?
A simple answer would be to realize that smartphones in classrooms serve no useful pedagogical purpose and ban them there. But that would mean the annihilation of the global economy, representative democracy and universal human rights, since everyone knows that modern civilization could not have developed as it did over past millennia without "smart"phones. We'd better try harder to get rid of schools, universities and classrooms, and conduct education solely by personal gadget.
6
"smartphones in classrooms serve no useful pedagogical purpose"
With Yik Yak, smartphones can be used to provide immediate feedback to teachers, as Prof. Crouch found out. They can also be used as a way for students to ask and answer questions, although Yik Yak seems to lack the features to support that efficiently, because it lacks threading.
With Yik Yak, smartphones can be used to provide immediate feedback to teachers, as Prof. Crouch found out. They can also be used as a way for students to ask and answer questions, although Yik Yak seems to lack the features to support that efficiently, because it lacks threading.
Pandora's box has long been opened. This is just one of many demons which has emerged. Social media can't make the broad assumption that people will use it either wisely of judiciously. On the contrary, the greater the anonymity and lowered risks of being found, the greater the temptation. And for some social media allows them to ventilate any frustration which normal society cannot allow. Whether cathartically exposing misogyny or racial invectives. Once again if no authority in the land is the appointed media judiciary, it's up to the individual to deal with the comments that are made. In the end no one has been forced to download this kind of app.
10
And in the end it is always easier to advocate having a "thick skin" when the abuse is not happening to you.
3
Why not anonymous posting apps YIK YAK for employees of businesses? teachers in schools? prisoners in jail? It seems to me if anonymous posts are such an important and creative outlet for expression why shouldn't everyone be able to publicly trash their colleagues, their bosses, their teachers, administrators and even their jailers? OK, if this is an absurd suggestion then why do our college students need a platform for anonymous commentary? Doesn't courage exist anymore? It's hard to tell the truth publicly, while it is ridiculously easy to make stuff up on the fly. Heaven help us.
1
In my opinion, this is terrible! I have the feeling that society is going crazy! We must understand that a large amount of violence and promotion on television leads to such cases unfortunately.
1
A few successful libel suits should solve everything here.
7
It seems much of the blame is either on the Yakkers who post the offensive material, or the founders who created it.
I think at least an equal share of the blame should be shared by the amoral Venture Capitalists whose sole purpose is to make money, damn the possible ramifications for the app du jour (in this case Yik Yak). Couldn't these Stanford/Ivy league "Elite" see what this would lead to? If they are the new kingmakers for the new economy, I fear greatly for the future of our children as they grow up and have to deal with this.
I think at least an equal share of the blame should be shared by the amoral Venture Capitalists whose sole purpose is to make money, damn the possible ramifications for the app du jour (in this case Yik Yak). Couldn't these Stanford/Ivy league "Elite" see what this would lead to? If they are the new kingmakers for the new economy, I fear greatly for the future of our children as they grow up and have to deal with this.
6
A lot of schools have been checking out DropThought as an alternative to Yik Yak, Ratemyprofessors, etc. It was mentioned in the Chronicle of Higher Ed in Feb. http://chronicle.com/article/Anonymous-Feedback-Fine/151609/ With DropThought, instructors write their own questions to prompt the anonymous feedback from students, and the instructors can still respond to the comments. Only the instructor sees the comments, not the other students. If there is abuse, DropThought works with the school on the matter. But because the feedback is on "Assignment 5" or "Part 1 of Today's Lecturer" the feedback is really focused on the assignment or activity at hand, rather than a broad review of the instructor. www.dropthought.com/dropthought-for-education/
Socially irresponsible investing by Sequoia.
3
I'd love to know which greedy venture capital companies funded this startup? #BeResponsible
6
If you read the article, you can answer your own question.
3
Slander is slander. Congress should outlaw this kind of app. They will eventually have to anyway.
3
I am sure Congress would love to ban this, except there is a little thing called the First Amendment.
The old purpose of college used to be education - not only on academic matters but on character. Apparently this is seen now as too heavy-handed, so the Yik Yakkers run around with impunity, "free speech" as their defense.
8
These people have no respect. They don't belong in college.
The solution is easy and obvious: immediately de-anonymize bullying comments. And other yaks that violate a policy of minimal civility. The app developers have complete discretion. They can show what kind of people they are. Are they the decent folks they claim to be? Or are they all about aiding and encouraging vicious, abusive behavior?
7
"... immediately de-anonymize bullying comments."
That won't really work. From the Yik Yak legal page:
"Yik Yak is an anonymous service – users do not register or create account names – and Yik Yak does not ask its users to provide their real names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or any other identifying information."
http://www.yikyakapp.com/legal/
That won't really work. From the Yik Yak legal page:
"Yik Yak is an anonymous service – users do not register or create account names – and Yik Yak does not ask its users to provide their real names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or any other identifying information."
http://www.yikyakapp.com/legal/
1
UGA had the entire Miller learning and the student center evacuated because of an imminent threat of violence on this app. Lockdown. It disrupted campus of nearly 40,000 students. Cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to campus, city, county and state police. YikYak should be liable for these costs. They'd figure out very quickly how to make the app more civil.
7
A threat made with Yik Yak is no different from one made by telephone. The user who made the threat is responsible. As the article suggests, a Yik Yak user is not truly anonymous. With a court order, Yik Yak must identify the user:
"The app’s privacy policy prevents schools from identifying users without a subpoena, court order or search warrant, or an emergency request from a law-enforcement official with a compelling claim of imminent harm."
"The app’s privacy policy prevents schools from identifying users without a subpoena, court order or search warrant, or an emergency request from a law-enforcement official with a compelling claim of imminent harm."
10
Clarifying my previous reply. Yik Yak users don't register, however Yik Yak logs:
1. The IP address from which the message was posted;
2. The GPS coordinates of the location from which the message was posted;
3. The time and date when the message was posted.
http://www.yikyakapp.com/legal/
1. The IP address from which the message was posted;
2. The GPS coordinates of the location from which the message was posted;
3. The time and date when the message was posted.
http://www.yikyakapp.com/legal/
3
The veneer of civility among us is just that. A veneer. Sans rule of law, we in the US are no different to the widely reported eve teasers in Cairo's streets. The percentages of haters, bigots and misogynists will match exactly.
When some of us talk with disdain about how folks in the middle east mistreat their women or people who are "different"; Just remember, what happens here in the US is just marginally less worse, or more worse, depends on how you see it. As someone said, Yik Yak is just the messenger. It is likely that good people will use it more. Though unfortunately the bad people will spoil the atmosphere, just like it does in real life.
When some of us talk with disdain about how folks in the middle east mistreat their women or people who are "different"; Just remember, what happens here in the US is just marginally less worse, or more worse, depends on how you see it. As someone said, Yik Yak is just the messenger. It is likely that good people will use it more. Though unfortunately the bad people will spoil the atmosphere, just like it does in real life.
8
Sorry, kids, but there is no such thing as anonymity on the internet -- regardless of what some corporation is currently claiming to offer you. Some of you are just ONE subpoena away from facing criminal charges, lawsuits, ruined job prospects, expulsion, disgrace, etc.
5
I was a freshman in college when the whole Juicy Campus thing exploded. I've come to think the culture a website or app starts with influences it's later users. This next comment isn't something the founders would probably agree with, but I think a huge problem is rolling it out with fraternities and sororities. I still have some great buddies in frats, I've had fun there, I think the comradeship is swell, but they are still hotbeds of gossip and just nasty talk on most college campuses. Not all by any means, or even most, but it's still an atmosphere where a lot of times no one is calling you out on those comments. Until that culture changes, those kind of posts are going to continue, and maybe Tyler and Brooks, as former frat brothers, can be a part of the solution
3
"Schools will probably just stand back and hope that respect and civility prevail, that their communities really will learn to police themselves." The ever popular, ever futile, ostrich approach to bullying, racism, and sexual harassment.
7
Social media popularity is an knee-jerk goal for most of us now, and those who aren't pithy, or wise, or useful can only get noticed by being extreme. Twitter and Yik Yak are platforms whereby people with little else to offer ramp up the darkest side of their personality to maximum volume in hopes that they will momentarily become a trending topic. Their personal damage or weakness is rewarded when their content is upvoted, and it becomes a cycle of affirmed aggression.
BuzzFeed just did a nice profile on the first two prison sentences for trolls in the UK -- and both of them are self described sad individuals with few friends and drinking problems which bring out their aggression. Very few trolls will affirm their ideas once they've been revealed -- most of these are just sad sacks desperately wanting to be noticed for something, and ugliness is just so much easier to generate than beauty.
BuzzFeed just did a nice profile on the first two prison sentences for trolls in the UK -- and both of them are self described sad individuals with few friends and drinking problems which bring out their aggression. Very few trolls will affirm their ideas once they've been revealed -- most of these are just sad sacks desperately wanting to be noticed for something, and ugliness is just so much easier to generate than beauty.
12
"The responsibility lies with the app’s various communities to police themselves by 'upvoting' or 'downvoting' posts."
Oh dear. This is what happens when you let libertarians run technology companies. Startup founders have become so convinced that they got their success entirely through individual effort, and that technology is morally neutral, that they think the community can police itself.
We have governments and regulation for a reason. So sad that some people pretend we don't need them.
Oh dear. This is what happens when you let libertarians run technology companies. Startup founders have become so convinced that they got their success entirely through individual effort, and that technology is morally neutral, that they think the community can police itself.
We have governments and regulation for a reason. So sad that some people pretend we don't need them.
18
Free speech, please.
We have allowed big time college sports and the Greek "communities" to turn college campuses into party central. Adolescents (or rather their parents) are now paying tens of thousands of dollars to have the "college experience" rather than to benefit from a true university education. Yik yak is perfect for today's campus environment. No wonder online education is where today's university administrators are focusing and where young scholars who are paying with their own dime are enrolling.
7
I would expect that middle schoolers would be cruel, and it's up to adults to educate them and be good role models, so they outgrow the nastiness.
If college students are still harassing and even threatening others with the app, that says a lot of very bad things about the (lack of) parenting they received growing up, and the lack of other positive adult role models in their communities.
If college students are still harassing and even threatening others with the app, that says a lot of very bad things about the (lack of) parenting they received growing up, and the lack of other positive adult role models in their communities.
9
Let's be clear, and as several people have noted, this is not about free speech. Free speech means saying what you want AND THEN living with the consequences of how your words affect others. Don't like it, then stop talking as if you're the only person in the world.
And for the gentlemen who designed a forum perfect for abuse and harassment, maybe karma will catch up to you, though I expect in this world you'll just get richer.
And for the gentlemen who designed a forum perfect for abuse and harassment, maybe karma will catch up to you, though I expect in this world you'll just get richer.
24
I'm an undergraduate at Princeton University; Yik Yak is immensely popular on campus here.
This article primarily focus on Yik Yak's capacity to be used as a tool to harass, abuse, and ridicule other students and facility given the anonymous status of its users, but nowhere do I see any discussion of its potential benefits. On campus at Princeton any Yaks that target any groups or individuals are down voted to -5 (and deleted) within minutes. Yaks show up about Professor all the time - daily - but they are never insulting or abusing (and if they are, again, they are voted off within minutes). Most commonly, Yaks about faculty are amusing quotes that put the Professor in a positive, clever light. The overwhelming majority of Yaks (I would estimate 70-90%) are lighthearted and witty jokes that help students feel a sense of community and common understanding. For example, we have midterms this week: many of Yaks being posted have to do with sleep deprivation, buying copious amount of coffee, and wishing others good luck and good health. The point is at Princeton the users act as responsible moderators by deleting anything intending to cause harm.
This idea is missing from the article featured here.
This article primarily focus on Yik Yak's capacity to be used as a tool to harass, abuse, and ridicule other students and facility given the anonymous status of its users, but nowhere do I see any discussion of its potential benefits. On campus at Princeton any Yaks that target any groups or individuals are down voted to -5 (and deleted) within minutes. Yaks show up about Professor all the time - daily - but they are never insulting or abusing (and if they are, again, they are voted off within minutes). Most commonly, Yaks about faculty are amusing quotes that put the Professor in a positive, clever light. The overwhelming majority of Yaks (I would estimate 70-90%) are lighthearted and witty jokes that help students feel a sense of community and common understanding. For example, we have midterms this week: many of Yaks being posted have to do with sleep deprivation, buying copious amount of coffee, and wishing others good luck and good health. The point is at Princeton the users act as responsible moderators by deleting anything intending to cause harm.
This idea is missing from the article featured here.
50
Methinks your situation is not only unusual (based on what I've observed at another college famous), but that you are misrepresenting it. It's incredibly unlikely that your community is the flawless moderator you make it out to be.
4
If the Yaks are as positive as you say they are, then why not remove the anonymous feature of the app? Why is anonymity such an integral part of the app if it is so a fun and beneficial? Why don't the developers take the step of removing the anonymity? I think you can guess the likely answer.
1
I use the app several times a day. I stand by what I have written. I am not misrepresenting Yik Yak on Princeton's campus. I can't speak for elsewhere (except for Stanford, which is similar to Princeton's).
We have thia sort of app used by almost all the students at our college campus. I believe that it helps me as a teacher and an administrator at college to get to know what these boys and girls are thinking.
A thought kept in mind is far more dangerous than thought expressed. One can shape up policies on the basis of such feeds.
As far as the privacy is concerned, there is less harm in keeping the users anonymous. Otherwise he/she won't say anything that may help us devising something for their betterment. This can prove to be a good idea to know what people think and what they want.
A thought kept in mind is far more dangerous than thought expressed. One can shape up policies on the basis of such feeds.
As far as the privacy is concerned, there is less harm in keeping the users anonymous. Otherwise he/she won't say anything that may help us devising something for their betterment. This can prove to be a good idea to know what people think and what they want.
5
Sooner or later those who make these "anonymous" posts will be outed by an algorithm that looks at phrasing and word choices.
3
Who you are is who you are when you think nobody is watching.
The people posting nasty things about others this way are or would probably do it on any other anonymous forum. What's new about this app is that it is instant, widely read on campus, and on everybody's smartphone (which everybody--on campus, at least--seems to have).
I hope and believe that, just as with many internet comments, the trolls and jerks are simply the more vocal people; the normal people cannot be bothered. I hope.
The people posting nasty things about others this way are or would probably do it on any other anonymous forum. What's new about this app is that it is instant, widely read on campus, and on everybody's smartphone (which everybody--on campus, at least--seems to have).
I hope and believe that, just as with many internet comments, the trolls and jerks are simply the more vocal people; the normal people cannot be bothered. I hope.
1
That's like saying fraternity hazing toughens kids up or drinking to oblivion and getting in a car crash is good for personal development. If, as you say their brain is still growing, it's our job as adults to protect them from doing things that may be self destructive in the mean time.
1
2 obvious problems. #1: while there will always be backbiting, whisper campaigns and slander as long as there are vicious, small-minded cowards who don't have meaningful lives of their own, the fear of discovery and consequences has tempered such misbehavior until now. With apps like YikYak, that fear goes away and, if the app saturates the space you live in, the tenor of life in that environment is degraded for all, even the people who don't participate.
#2. The rashness of adolescents and young adults has a biological basis -- that the prefrontal cortex where self-control resides is the last part of the brain to come into full development. The combination of prefrontal development plus experience -- such as the painful consequences of misbehavior -- produces mature adults who are capable of restraining their baser impulses. However, by removing painful consequences, apps like YikYak may actually stunt the normal maturation process, contributing to a society that is more desensitized, callous and cruel.
Just what we need.
#2. The rashness of adolescents and young adults has a biological basis -- that the prefrontal cortex where self-control resides is the last part of the brain to come into full development. The combination of prefrontal development plus experience -- such as the painful consequences of misbehavior -- produces mature adults who are capable of restraining their baser impulses. However, by removing painful consequences, apps like YikYak may actually stunt the normal maturation process, contributing to a society that is more desensitized, callous and cruel.
Just what we need.
10
Agreed. Just in the past 10-15 years I have seen such a degradation in the character of the younger generation. They dont respect anything and now we give them technology that allows them behave in the most socially inappropriate behavior with zero consequence.
I am scared to think what todays 20 year old will be like when they are 40.
I am scared to think what todays 20 year old will be like when they are 40.
2
True John. And their parents are to blame, especially those who love to boast that they are their kid's "best friend". Please. Be an adult and a paent and teach respect and values. You aren't their peer or BFF.
1
The app has a lot of positive potential being a location based social network. They need to figure out how to filter out the idiots without sacrificing the popularity and they will be wildly successful. I'm sure the investors know this already.
Any app that has a lot of positive potential will not hide the identities of people. People should be brave and bold to share their identity along with their smart ideas. #BeResponsible.
This hit our local high school last year. I have to say, I give props to the teachers and administration. They blocked the app, but also flooded the app with positive posts and asked parents to join in. Basically they just made it so uncool that the kids stopped posting. I am surprised that Yik Yak thinks college-aged students and high school students are that different. Unfortunately ignorance and cruelty do not have expiration dates.
12
"While the professors had been lecturing about post-apocalyptic culture, some of the 230 or so freshmen in the auditorium had been having a separate conversation about them on a social media site called Yik Yak."
Don't fight it, integrate it. Run the Yik Yak feed on a huge overhead screen in front of the class and require students to contribute using Yik Yak.
Don't fight it, integrate it. Run the Yik Yak feed on a huge overhead screen in front of the class and require students to contribute using Yik Yak.
9
Exactly.
2
How do you think the younger generation feels when commentators here tell them they are vile, hopeless, and shallow? It seems that Times commentators really are no better than the average Yik Yak user. This article is on the worst Yik Yak comments, so maybe the average Yik Yak user is actually kinder and more tthoughtful.
3
I wonder why they call the sights such as Yik Yak, Twitter or Facebook "social media' They are really just socially destructive.
4
At least pet rocks were relatively harmless. High tech fads seem to be capable of causing more damage before we reconsider what we've bought into.
2
Somebody will eventually hack their site, and release the names.
4
With so many college students being psychologically crushed by loan debts, of course we should expect some of those with self-control issues to be overflowing with anger, envy and hate. Life isn't easy. Some of us are much more capable of dealing with the roller coaster rides.
Please. Debt doesn't excuse boorish behavior. Ever.
4
Posts containing words such as "bomb" or "Jewish" prompt a warning message to the poster to reconsider before posting.
I hope posts containing words such as "rape" or any derogatory terms for female or male anatomy carry the same warning.
Why is the threat of sexual assault not taken as seriously as other threats? What more atrocities are needed to occur before such threats move out of the category of protected free speech?
I hope posts containing words such as "rape" or any derogatory terms for female or male anatomy carry the same warning.
Why is the threat of sexual assault not taken as seriously as other threats? What more atrocities are needed to occur before such threats move out of the category of protected free speech?
8
You could download the Yik Yak app and do test posts to see what words are flagged, although it would be more efficient if Yik Yak published its word list.
A app for cowards.
7
The maturity level of these so-called adults using YikYak is that of kindergarteners. Their behavior far worse. Pity that these folks are wasting their marvelous educational opportunities in this way. Perhaps a less sheltered clime than a college campus would help them to grow up and learn to better express themselves. Well written and/or well said insults are far, far more effective than the drivel on Yik Yak. But these silly ignorami don't and never will have a clue.
6
I guess Yik Yak has it all going for itself. So many people talking about it. I still wonder how so many people find so much time in their day to Yik Yak, Tweet, Facebook, or whatever. Doesn't anyone ever have anything better to do?
4
When I die, I will not wish a had a bigger social media presence.
3
I suspect sooner or later the catch-all RICO Act will be triggered and eventually shut this down.
I would be much more disturbed that these Yaks were posted during a class, not about their content. Research shows that computer and phone use during a lecture not only distract the user, but also those sitting around them. The solution to this problem is to ban all electronic devices from class rooms.
2
The solution is to try something more engaging than "[three] professors ... lecturing about post-apocalyptic culture" in a freshman philosophy class of 230 students. Can't the professors figure out a way to integrate Yik Yak into their course?
1
No one does well when they can do or say whatever is on there mind knowing they will not be held accountable for their actions, whether they lead North Korea or attend an American University. The App is simply a bad idea.
Free Speech is balanced by a series of other rights which require the one speaking to hold himself or herself accountable to others. Take away balancing rights and you end up with many statements that dehumanize others.
The good uses of this app would continue if the users were known. Transparency would succeed at reducing the hateful posts.
Free Speech is balanced by a series of other rights which require the one speaking to hold himself or herself accountable to others. Take away balancing rights and you end up with many statements that dehumanize others.
The good uses of this app would continue if the users were known. Transparency would succeed at reducing the hateful posts.
3
So, the line between thinking a thought and committing it to words in a public forum has been erased. Dangerous, dangerous stuff.
2
It's just a bunch of stupid texting. Get over it. People make too much out of nothing, especially in academic settings where thought and expression ironically are more likely to be considered tantamount to criminal acts than just about anywhere else on society.
3
It's not "just" a bunch of stupid texting. Threatening sexual assault or ethnic intimidation are hate crimes. If you said these things to someone's face you would have consequences. Anonymity does not make it magically less serious.
9
I'm talking about Margaret Crouch and Jordan Seman, not about threats of violence mentioned later in the article in which cases Yik Yak cooperated with police.
2
Freedom of speech should not apply to anonymous statements. Sign your work, or don't write it.
3
Welcome to the internet. It's been this way for years on anonymous boards. Grow a thicker skin.
1
To "don't use the app/pay no attention if not to one's liking" argument, case in point: Is it fair for Jordan Seman that any one can post comment anonymously that are injurious to Jordan seman?
To "don't attacked the messenger" argument, case in point: Is it fair for women that disgruntled ex-boyfriends can post/upload videos and photos of very private nature in so-called revenge porn sites?
To "don't attacked the messenger" argument, case in point: Is it fair for women that disgruntled ex-boyfriends can post/upload videos and photos of very private nature in so-called revenge porn sites?
1
If there's hate and intolerance on your Yik Yak then there's hate and intolerance on your campus. Silencing the voices does not silence the hatred. People make the very same jokes, funny or despicably cruel, on Yik Yak as they do with their closest friends. Blaming Yik Yak for the problem ignores the problem itself.
9
What Yik Yak has done by ripping away the veneer of civility, is encourage the cruel, the misogynist, the most immature, to play out their hatred in public, where it will do the most damage. It enables a kind of terroristic impulse and yes, the targets of these Yaks do feel terrorized.
16
HT, you're making an argument that's found a real vogue over the past decade - that technology is inherently morally neutral. You will find with Yik Yak and other tools that this is extremely far from the reality. Just take a look at the incredible differences in how different tools are used and you will see that they are by no means morally equivalent.
People ultimately hurt and kill one another, but a tool (whether it be Yik Yak or a firearm) makes it exponentially easier.
People ultimately hurt and kill one another, but a tool (whether it be Yik Yak or a firearm) makes it exponentially easier.
On my campus Yik Yak is used almost exclusively in a positive manner. Any Yak that's borderline misogynist, cruel, or bigoted is voted down almost instantaneously. In fact any Yak that isn't laugh out loud funny is voted down almost instantaneously. It's a comedic community message board that college students at many schools have proven capable of policing. But then again my campus has a very positive environment especially compared to that of a high school.
The fact that some colleges don't struggle with problems associated with Yik Yak and others do suggests that Yik Yak is not the cause of the problem. People don't have to hurt and kill one another nor are there any incentives to do so between mature individuals on a healthy college campus. In a positive environment students will not let a negative Yak last longer than 10-15 seconds. I agree, the negative Yak being posted at all is a problem but shouldn't it be a bigger issue that some colleges are having so much trouble facilitating a positive campus environment with or without Yik Yak?
The fact that some colleges don't struggle with problems associated with Yik Yak and others do suggests that Yik Yak is not the cause of the problem. People don't have to hurt and kill one another nor are there any incentives to do so between mature individuals on a healthy college campus. In a positive environment students will not let a negative Yak last longer than 10-15 seconds. I agree, the negative Yak being posted at all is a problem but shouldn't it be a bigger issue that some colleges are having so much trouble facilitating a positive campus environment with or without Yik Yak?
1
American media absolutely loves to feature racism, hatred and misogyny! Any which way at all.
YYak is capitalizing on our National Nature!
YYak is capitalizing on our National Nature!
2
they should rename the app LOTF, 'Lord of the Flies'.
11
Yick Yack only serves as a platform for vile and hurtful comments by spineless, nameless individuals. Tyler Droll could have served humanity better if he had followed his path through to medical school. The venomous and hateful comments directed at others are offensive and demeaning. Slanderous comments should not be tolerated and reported. The site should be moderated, which should be no problem with the huge valuation of this ethically disabled company.
11
Anonymity of a whistle-blower should be protected. And there are plenty of channels for whistle-blowers for truly serious matters. But YikYak? A hardly a serious forum for uncovering truth; would Snowden use YikYak? In fact, would anyone use social networking platform to unveil facts of 'life and death' matters? If a student has a genuine grievances against a professor, there is a channel to voice complaints and remain anonymous. YikYak is a silly forum for mouthing off silliness. Anonymity only encourages and facilitates cowardly and vile behavior.
5
While this might seem like something of a stretch, the "filters off" phenomenon is reminiscent of what happened in Germany after Hitler gave people permission to let their anti-semitism fly free. Before that, there was a kind of "soft" anti-semitism in that while there were restrictions on what Jews could or could not do, Germany was a relative haven compared to some European countries in that they were allowed to flourish and attain success as much as their abilities allowed. And while that didn't stop gentiles from being anti-semitic the culture of politeness prevented the worst excesses of the Nazi regime.
Once the lid was off, all manner of hatred spewed forth. Just as love and kindness beget love and kindness, so too does hate beget hate. When fifty students are slut-shaming a girl, it morphs into something acceptable, at least among the weak-minded. Yik Yak is frightening, in that encourages, rather than dissuades abusive behavior. The founders know it, so do their parents and Sequoia Capital and yet, it still exists.
Once the lid was off, all manner of hatred spewed forth. Just as love and kindness beget love and kindness, so too does hate beget hate. When fifty students are slut-shaming a girl, it morphs into something acceptable, at least among the weak-minded. Yik Yak is frightening, in that encourages, rather than dissuades abusive behavior. The founders know it, so do their parents and Sequoia Capital and yet, it still exists.
14
There seems to be an app for everything these days, except for privacy and sanity. Actually in a sense there's an 'anti-app' for those: Don't carry a 'smartphone' and avoid social media.
Unfortunately, that's easier said than done these days - especially if you need a job. Or to get into a school. Or insurance. Or a loan. Or even housing, if it's to be of the condo, co-op or HOA variety, or even it you intend to rent. The problem? No internet privacy laws and no regulation of data brokers and private background checkers - to the point where you can legally be discriminated against for NOT being on social media (They'll wonder if you've got something to hide) and for anything some troll posts ABOUT you.
Now that's not the way it goes over in the European Union, where they HAVE meaningful privacy laws. Unfortunately, the powers that be, corporate-financed as their election campaigns typically are, won't get anything like that enacted into law here - unless enough people push, push hard, and KEEP pushing hard. Remember from the days of the Vietnam War: 'War is over, if you want it.'? The same with protection from all these Little Brothers and Sisters. They can't hurt you if the law forbids background checkers from looking up the crud they post and using it against you. But you have to REALLY want it.
Remember: "Everybody has something to hide, except for me and my monkey." - John Lennon
Unfortunately, that's easier said than done these days - especially if you need a job. Or to get into a school. Or insurance. Or a loan. Or even housing, if it's to be of the condo, co-op or HOA variety, or even it you intend to rent. The problem? No internet privacy laws and no regulation of data brokers and private background checkers - to the point where you can legally be discriminated against for NOT being on social media (They'll wonder if you've got something to hide) and for anything some troll posts ABOUT you.
Now that's not the way it goes over in the European Union, where they HAVE meaningful privacy laws. Unfortunately, the powers that be, corporate-financed as their election campaigns typically are, won't get anything like that enacted into law here - unless enough people push, push hard, and KEEP pushing hard. Remember from the days of the Vietnam War: 'War is over, if you want it.'? The same with protection from all these Little Brothers and Sisters. They can't hurt you if the law forbids background checkers from looking up the crud they post and using it against you. But you have to REALLY want it.
Remember: "Everybody has something to hide, except for me and my monkey." - John Lennon
3
You're a brave woman, Jordan. Thank you for sharing your story. This social network is no different than any of the other anonymous social apps that came before it. This one is as destructive as the others, and I don't believe for one minute it was created for the "disenfranchised." I'm pleased to know Mr. Droll withdrew from medical school where, at some point, he would have had to take the Hippocratic Oath: First do no harm. Only cowards hide behind anonymity to hurt others and then expect to be protected by the First Amendment. Anonymous speech should not be considered free speech.
12
I only post on-line occasionally here on NYT. I find the conversations thoughtful, provoking, and civil. But I would gladly give up this "privilege" if it would mean eliminating the hateful vitriol in the rest of the on-line community. It's shocking what's out there. And to say that this is a symptom of Society at Large just isn't true. The anonymity the internet allows is the reason so many people feel they can spew such hatred. Face-to-face would bring real consequences. Enough with Freedom of Speech arguments - if it's being abused, then we have to rein it in.
5
People need to stop blaming the internet for these things. It's like blaming the Post Office for enabling people to send disgusting remarks and such through the mail or the telephone company for providing a conduit that allows unwanted phone calls.
It is PEOPLE who dream up these uses of technology and build these apps. It is also PEOPLE who download them and post vitriol under the blanket of anonymity or simply act as bystanders with a front row seat to the bile being spewed at people for no other reason-- in the case of the college instructors-- than because they are currently in the room. It is not even a matter of posting nastiness towards people who have wronged you in some way. Now, everyone is fair game to be verbally taunted and tortured in the name of fun.
It is also PEOPLE who sit in their cushy offices and throw millions of dollars of investment into these companies because they know full well that people will flock to these apps.
This is a people problem, not a technology one.
It is PEOPLE who dream up these uses of technology and build these apps. It is also PEOPLE who download them and post vitriol under the blanket of anonymity or simply act as bystanders with a front row seat to the bile being spewed at people for no other reason-- in the case of the college instructors-- than because they are currently in the room. It is not even a matter of posting nastiness towards people who have wronged you in some way. Now, everyone is fair game to be verbally taunted and tortured in the name of fun.
It is also PEOPLE who sit in their cushy offices and throw millions of dollars of investment into these companies because they know full well that people will flock to these apps.
This is a people problem, not a technology one.
11
This is the same logic as in, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." A gun makes killing someone as easy as flexing your trigger finger. Spewing hatred is now as easy as tap, tap, taping your keyboard, and pressing 'send.'
So if they even mention the word "Jewish" in a Yik Yak post that brings up the "threatening language" post? That's positively Orwellian and provides a clue to who has the power to protect themselves from potential criticism (or verbal abuse).
5
From the article, it sounds like they are doing simple-minded word filtering. As you suggest, it would be interesting to know how they compile their word list.
1
Yik Yak is irrelevant. We already had a vast platform for anonymous hatred. It's called the Internet.
5
Yik Yak uses the internet. The internet is just the wiring that makes communication possible.
After reading this article, I downloaded YikYak and was interested to read comments by students at our local university, my alma mater, my husband's (a higher ranked school), and my daughter's prospective colleges. What I found was pretty ordinary, with some sexist (disappointing but not surprising) comments, and the usual procrastinatuon, recounting of Saturday night, and other mundane things. Basically, not too much to get excited about during a pretty dull Sunday.
18
As a "millennial" attending a state school I am surrounded by people who use these apps all day long. Let me tell you- absolutely nothing will change if people are allowed to moderate themselves. It is a systemic problem! I hear racist, sexist and homophobic comments every day while I am on campus and it is awful. But guess what? Ignoring it does not make it go away! If offensive comments on Yik Yak are no being downvoted to the point at which they will be removed, what do you think it is like when some freshman is sitting in a dorm room and someone makes a joke about black people? No one is going to speak up and "downvote" people in that situation either.
What's the median age of a NYT poster? I wonder sometimes because all this talk (tired rhetoric at this point) about "ignore it" and "don't give it power" are such old fashioned ideas. Internet life is real life. Things happening online have real world consequences. For people my age, and certainly those in middle and high school, the line is transparent! It is one whole life!
It's funny, too. People applaud Curt Schilling for outing people on Twitter, yet hope it just "goes away" on Yik Yak? The founders are obviously smart guys- donate some money to orgs that educate people on diversity and tolerance, come up with a better moderating system and have the guts to say something to the effect of, "Yeah- our app is helping people spew nonsense. How can we stop this from happening again?"
What's the median age of a NYT poster? I wonder sometimes because all this talk (tired rhetoric at this point) about "ignore it" and "don't give it power" are such old fashioned ideas. Internet life is real life. Things happening online have real world consequences. For people my age, and certainly those in middle and high school, the line is transparent! It is one whole life!
It's funny, too. People applaud Curt Schilling for outing people on Twitter, yet hope it just "goes away" on Yik Yak? The founders are obviously smart guys- donate some money to orgs that educate people on diversity and tolerance, come up with a better moderating system and have the guts to say something to the effect of, "Yeah- our app is helping people spew nonsense. How can we stop this from happening again?"
7
The creators of the app could create rules for using it that address targeting people on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin (or other protected classes based on ground rules set by the apps creators themselves).
Put your money where your mouths are, Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington. You don't want to support racism, misogyny, or other content that attacks or bullies an individual based on being a member of a protected class?
Why not then make the ability to refrain from such attacks a condition for using the app, plain and simple?
Media companies hire people to review comments all the time. Yik Yak can do that also. Relying upon users to vote up or down posts, is a recipe for bias that often allow the most offensive posts to continue, especially when the topic turns to race, sex, sexual orientation or gender issues.
Take a stand Yik Yak. Dare to move toward something that is both useful and creates standards for participation that value those who don't engage bigoted impulses.
I doubt the creators will do this. Often, it pays handsomely on the Internet to give into the most base impulses of humans that seek anonymity. The more controversial the posts, the more hits to a website. Never mind that those bigoted hits can hit at and be destructive to the individuals or group of individuals they target.
Put your money where your mouths are, Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington. You don't want to support racism, misogyny, or other content that attacks or bullies an individual based on being a member of a protected class?
Why not then make the ability to refrain from such attacks a condition for using the app, plain and simple?
Media companies hire people to review comments all the time. Yik Yak can do that also. Relying upon users to vote up or down posts, is a recipe for bias that often allow the most offensive posts to continue, especially when the topic turns to race, sex, sexual orientation or gender issues.
Take a stand Yik Yak. Dare to move toward something that is both useful and creates standards for participation that value those who don't engage bigoted impulses.
I doubt the creators will do this. Often, it pays handsomely on the Internet to give into the most base impulses of humans that seek anonymity. The more controversial the posts, the more hits to a website. Never mind that those bigoted hits can hit at and be destructive to the individuals or group of individuals they target.
6
There's nothing new about the disgusting thoughts being expressed on Yik Yak—I'm sure when I was in college my fellow students and I had our share of abusive, negative thoughts—what's new is that the Internet gives us the ability to share and see what others are thinking in real time even as they validate and weigh in on our nastiest thoughts. The Yik Yak app throws in anonymity, which gives every one of us the equivalent of a social neutron bomb. The skulking, dark-hearted souls who go further than insults to post violent threats are probably sociopaths. What to do about it? Either go the futile route and fight it with geo-fences and expulsions, or educate students about this phenomenon with mandatory sociology classes exploring the intersection of the Internet, which is morally neutral, and the worst moral aspects of our own human nature.
Education such as you suggest is of course very desirable, but education alone seems not enough to deal with human nature. If ethical education was possible, why do we have to have banks and other companies audited? Why do we need the SEC?
On the other hand, if such education is possible, it needs to be applied more broadly than just Yik Yak.
On the other hand, if such education is possible, it needs to be applied more broadly than just Yik Yak.
Anonymity is liberating! What you wouldn't put your name to is not usually the most constructive, well thought out speech. Some of it could be about personal problems and responses could be helpful. Some is venting. Some of it is hateful and those who are vulnerable probably can't ignore it. I don't return to forums where the comments degenerate to insults or talking points - no time for garbage. Maybe the Yik Yak founders will learn a new way to "make the community more constructive". They withdrew their app from High Schools - maybe they could threaten to withdraw it temporarily from locations where big problems surface? The usual thing is moderating comments to enforce standards (which requires hiring moderators) or reducing anonymity across the board.
So Yik Yak is worth millions and millions even if there's no profit? Of course the point is access to young students so they can be targeted for marketing. Ha, maybe a group of lawyers should post: "Feel Hurt? Call Burt! We seek participants in a class action suit."
So Yik Yak is worth millions and millions even if there's no profit? Of course the point is access to young students so they can be targeted for marketing. Ha, maybe a group of lawyers should post: "Feel Hurt? Call Burt! We seek participants in a class action suit."
3
"In November, Yik Yak closed a $62 million round of financing led by one of Silicon Valley’s biggest venture capital firms"
You know this says something about our phony economy. Do you need $62 million to run a little app like this? How many jobs have these guys created? I bet far less than if $62 million were invested in a manufacturing operation.
You know this says something about our phony economy. Do you need $62 million to run a little app like this? How many jobs have these guys created? I bet far less than if $62 million were invested in a manufacturing operation.
17
I wonder if Sequoia Capital would ever allow Yik Yak to be used in its offices.
87
Or how they would feel if their own children were targeted. Have they thought that through? Probably not, because they live such privileged lives, they can't conceive of anything like that happening to them.
6
Why not tell Jim Goetz how you feel. The public web site for Sequoia Capital lists Mr. Goetz's as a member of the firm's "Venture Team" and includes his email address.
As part of Mr. Goetz's bio on the site is the following personal insight: "Toughest personal challenge -- Finding novel ways to haze the newest members of our team”. Employing Yik Tak at Sequoia Capital would seem to be he ideal method for Mr. Goetz to meet his self-identified challenge (and, of course, opening himself to anonymous comments from members of his team).
I intend to email Mr. Goetz to express my feelings about what his investment has spawned. But I will be using my real name and real email address when I do so that Mr. Goetz can respond, probably with the usual corporate speak.
As part of Mr. Goetz's bio on the site is the following personal insight: "Toughest personal challenge -- Finding novel ways to haze the newest members of our team”. Employing Yik Tak at Sequoia Capital would seem to be he ideal method for Mr. Goetz to meet his self-identified challenge (and, of course, opening himself to anonymous comments from members of his team).
I intend to email Mr. Goetz to express my feelings about what his investment has spawned. But I will be using my real name and real email address when I do so that Mr. Goetz can respond, probably with the usual corporate speak.
2
Or against their own children. Or to reveal company secrets during a quiet period. Yik Yak starts with high school and college gossips. Sequoia will sing a different tune when it's corporate whistle blowers and insider trading that gets posted. (Or vicious chat about VCs...)
1
This is a very saddening thing to read. Something that was created out of innocence and fun has turned into an ugly, grotesque beast, used for attacking people and other social groups. I wish more could be done to prevent this, but, like the article states, it would definitely be a long and uneven path that, unfortunately, would be best left untrodden. Hopefully civility does return to some of these people.
3
How was an anonymous comment app "created out of innocence and fun"?
7
Don't know about Yik Yak but I do know about the huge amount of hateful invective against Muslims, in the comments section of so many articles. Sad but also very disturbing. Not sure these folks care if they are anonymous or not; they seem so sure of their nasty opinions. The internet is a drug that frees inhibitions... we can only urge people to get in touch with their better selves...
5
The internet has taught young people that its ok to lie, not own the damage you do to others and pretty much regard people as less than human. Parents have an obligation to raise good kids who understand right and wrong and who value others. Instead what we have is a society of "orphans" whose parents only job is to provide food and shelter with no attention to moral guidance.
My children never had mobiles until they reached adulthood. I didn't get one myself until 2003. I have been horrified to see how very young children have become addicted to their mobiles and how parents feel that they have no choice but to give in to their children's demands to have a mobile that goes online and gives them access to apps that they may not be emotionally equipted to handle. Parents simply state that their hands are tied and they have no choice but to give in lest their kids "hate" them. Never has a generation be so adept at manipulating and undermining their parents' authority. What has come out of all this is kids that believe they are entitled and that their entitlement gives them license to disregard the emotional well being of others. Anonymity ensures that we never have to face the consequences of pain we cause others. What is frightening about all this detachment from the emotions of others is that it has in a sense burned out the consciences of the users of these apps ; creating a generation of kids who behave in a way that could almost be considered psychopathic!
My children never had mobiles until they reached adulthood. I didn't get one myself until 2003. I have been horrified to see how very young children have become addicted to their mobiles and how parents feel that they have no choice but to give in to their children's demands to have a mobile that goes online and gives them access to apps that they may not be emotionally equipted to handle. Parents simply state that their hands are tied and they have no choice but to give in lest their kids "hate" them. Never has a generation be so adept at manipulating and undermining their parents' authority. What has come out of all this is kids that believe they are entitled and that their entitlement gives them license to disregard the emotional well being of others. Anonymity ensures that we never have to face the consequences of pain we cause others. What is frightening about all this detachment from the emotions of others is that it has in a sense burned out the consciences of the users of these apps ; creating a generation of kids who behave in a way that could almost be considered psychopathic!
9
It isn't the Internet that has taught children to lie - it's people in power like politicians, businessmen, doctors and police, and other figures of "authority." There has been little to no consequences of lying for these people, and our young people take note of this. And the litigious outcomes for those who do take responsibility at the corporate, political or personal level are harsh.
I applaud your efforts to instill responsibility in your children but our society has so many examples of why "values" and personal responsibility aren't valid role models any more. The Internet only amplifies this trend.
You're swimming upstream, unfortunately.
I applaud your efforts to instill responsibility in your children but our society has so many examples of why "values" and personal responsibility aren't valid role models any more. The Internet only amplifies this trend.
You're swimming upstream, unfortunately.
2
Jordan,
Your letter to the campus newspaper was courageous and very mature. I applaud you for addressing any issues you have had, and apologies that you had to share your personal details with the community. I hope you have a bright future.
Middlebury Administration,
Please recognize what a thoughtful and mature young person you have in your midst. Someone of less character might have had a less constructive response. Consider yourselves responsible for any negative outcomes.
Mr Droll and Mr Buffington,
Congratulations on re-living the dot-com bubble. Is this your best idea?
Your letter to the campus newspaper was courageous and very mature. I applaud you for addressing any issues you have had, and apologies that you had to share your personal details with the community. I hope you have a bright future.
Middlebury Administration,
Please recognize what a thoughtful and mature young person you have in your midst. Someone of less character might have had a less constructive response. Consider yourselves responsible for any negative outcomes.
Mr Droll and Mr Buffington,
Congratulations on re-living the dot-com bubble. Is this your best idea?
13
A great vehicle for cowards.
19
"dropped out of medical school to start app….."
gosh, that is certainly telling of our future.
gosh, that is certainly telling of our future.
23
It's probably lucky for his would-have-been patients that he decided to do so. "Do no harm" not being high on his list.
21
i guess so.. but it is a bit demoralizing ( if that's the correct feeling) to see this younger crowd be so smitten with tech and the "opportunities".
tons of money thrown at kids who start apps for better restaurant seating, apps for parking spaces, apps for hot dates, i could go on forever… but all that energy and brain power and collaboration could be of such better use.
sigh.
tons of money thrown at kids who start apps for better restaurant seating, apps for parking spaces, apps for hot dates, i could go on forever… but all that energy and brain power and collaboration could be of such better use.
sigh.
1
This app would really have much more utility within the American corporate culture. In my career, there have been numerous instances where badly performing workers or executives would have truly benefitted from some unfiltered untraceable feedback. Perhaps even the Walton family would have moved more quickly to raise the wages of their employees if they knew how many people shopping and working in their stores truly detested everything about their attitude towards their employees.
if you don't like the messages on yik yak, don't use yik yak.
3
Anonymity is overrated.
While anonymity helps the powerless and the abused, it also enables people to exercise their worst vices.
Perceived anonymity is probably what make normal people act like jerks when driving car. People don't expect to face the same people again so they show little restraint.
Identity and feedback is what makes Ebay customer rating and LinkedIn endorsements so valuable to the service they provide.
While anonymity helps the powerless and the abused, it also enables people to exercise their worst vices.
Perceived anonymity is probably what make normal people act like jerks when driving car. People don't expect to face the same people again so they show little restraint.
Identity and feedback is what makes Ebay customer rating and LinkedIn endorsements so valuable to the service they provide.
All of these comments remind he how much liberals despise white men. Not to mention young white men who have been in fraternities. These young men haven started a profitable company and some have found a way to abuse the product. Liberals instinctively demonize the men who started the company. What a shame.
You really have to be kidding. At least I hope you are.
7
There company is not profitable by any recognized accounting standards.
1
There seems to be a very large number of people glossing over a huge hole in the argument against Yik Yak's existence -- taking away the medium will not suddenly turn all of the people using Yik Yak into virtuous, thoughtful people.
Most of these kinds of people know, to some extent, that they can't say what they want to say without repercussions with their name attached to it. The typical solution is for these people to surround themselves with like-minded individuals.
Taking away Yik Yak doesn't change these people. Sure, it takes away their platform to directly hurt the very people they're talking about. But what a lot of people aren't acknowledging is that Yik Yak also provides more conscientious individuals a way to directly argue back at these people. As I am someone who lives on a college campus and sees some really despicable posts, I still welcome the app because it opens these people up to ridicule that they would never face if they just made their comments with their like-minded friends.
Without anonymous social media, you still have terrible people saying terrible things. With anonymous social media, you have terrible people saying terrible things to a much larger group of people than before, but you also have a platform for people to educate and fight back against some of these destructive comments and viewpoints.
Most of these kinds of people know, to some extent, that they can't say what they want to say without repercussions with their name attached to it. The typical solution is for these people to surround themselves with like-minded individuals.
Taking away Yik Yak doesn't change these people. Sure, it takes away their platform to directly hurt the very people they're talking about. But what a lot of people aren't acknowledging is that Yik Yak also provides more conscientious individuals a way to directly argue back at these people. As I am someone who lives on a college campus and sees some really despicable posts, I still welcome the app because it opens these people up to ridicule that they would never face if they just made their comments with their like-minded friends.
Without anonymous social media, you still have terrible people saying terrible things. With anonymous social media, you have terrible people saying terrible things to a much larger group of people than before, but you also have a platform for people to educate and fight back against some of these destructive comments and viewpoints.
4
"but you also have a platform for people to educate and fight back against some of these destructive comments and viewpoints."
I agree. However, this is a responsibility, just as voting is. We need to promote a culture that accepts and fulfills these responsibilities. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do no voting or posting.
...Andrew
I agree. However, this is a responsibility, just as voting is. We need to promote a culture that accepts and fulfills these responsibilities. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do no voting or posting.
...Andrew
1
Yik Yak is the underaged drinking of social media. You can make it legal for minors to buy alcohol and guess what, you'll have a bunch of 12 year olds stumbling around drunk. Just because Yik Yak can exist does not mean it should exist. The truth is social mores help hold our society together. It forces us to become ethical human beings. All the people on this comment board pontificating about college being about free speech and testing boundaries, please! College is about learning higher order thinking skills so you can actually contribute something useful to society. It's not High School, Part the Second. Sheesh.
Maybe you could champion Yik Yak in a truly oppressed state like North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Syria. But like h&ll those places would ever allow something like this. And therein lies the perverted irony. Yik Yak is most needed in places where it can't exist, and is most certainly needed in places where it can.
We have enough avenues for free speech. Want to by an anti-semite, go ahead and make a sign and march around the quad. Want to be a misogynist? Go ahead, walk up to a young women and call her a sl&t. Oh, you wouldn't do that you coward? Then don't do it on Yik Yak.
Maybe you could champion Yik Yak in a truly oppressed state like North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Syria. But like h&ll those places would ever allow something like this. And therein lies the perverted irony. Yik Yak is most needed in places where it can't exist, and is most certainly needed in places where it can.
We have enough avenues for free speech. Want to by an anti-semite, go ahead and make a sign and march around the quad. Want to be a misogynist? Go ahead, walk up to a young women and call her a sl&t. Oh, you wouldn't do that you coward? Then don't do it on Yik Yak.
6
If the Times prints a slander from any source, anonymous or not, it becomes libel, and the Times is liable. The Times has choices to limit the damage: Usually a retraction and apology do the trick. Refusal to retract by the Times opens them to legal action.
Yik Yak is a publisher and responsible for what they transmit. The Times posts hundreds of comments from readers every day and manages to sort out the racist, sexist, homophobic and antisemitic trash, not to mention outright libel. Yik Yak should hold itself, and be held, to no less a standard.
Yik Yak is a publisher and responsible for what they transmit. The Times posts hundreds of comments from readers every day and manages to sort out the racist, sexist, homophobic and antisemitic trash, not to mention outright libel. Yik Yak should hold itself, and be held, to no less a standard.
5
"...Schools will probably just stand back and hope that respect and civility prevail, that their communities really will learn to police themselves..."
Perhaps schools at every level could be doing more teaching of what it means to have respect for self and others.
Perhaps schools at every level could be doing more teaching of what it means to have respect for self and others.
3
One might posit that they have already spent far too much effort in teaching "respect for self" at the expense of others. It's all about ME is too often the thinking.
The anonymity of the web is the refuge of cowards who are afraid to sign their names but relish the idea of freedom to abuse.
6
Luddite Alert. Is cyberspace real life? It's all a bunch of thought and pixels with adverts. Young folks of today I find to be very polite and very open to conversation, even relieved to be communicating with a real person. Keep your eyes open to all those around you and to the parade of life before you. Life is a strange miracle, much to be found and discovered in the real world . Yik Yak is nothing.
1
Perhaps if legislators (states and federal) perused yik yak on campuses, they might realize how well state and federal funding on higher education is being used. If students got fewer handouts from the government, they might actually have less time to spend staring at their phones.
On the other hand, once yik yak is in Congress' hands in DC, then we'll really see what people think of Obama..
On the other hand, once yik yak is in Congress' hands in DC, then we'll really see what people think of Obama..
2
This question of speech is interesting. Under what circumstances can speech be anonymous? The Federalist Papers were actually paragraphs and pages, and arguments having foundation in reason. And, following the trail back led to an individual who, if it had come to that, could have been put on trial. Like dark money in politics, and corporate "speech" (what is that anyway, the prospectus?) I question if words on Yik Yak constitute "speech"? Or, do they really have more in common with terrorist activities and deeds done in the dark. I think the actions of Anonymous- taken as a whole- have more in common with speech than this app and the "community" that uses it.
So fraternity.
So fraternity.
The trouble with the abundance of shock & dismay being posted in comments here is that they are playing the same game as yik yak but at a more refined level, that of assumed cultural superiority. The internet (or more accurately the WWW) simply enhances/reinforces the growing polarities in our culture, the separations so many individuals are developing from one another, and not just the young. Empathy as a key component of the human personality is quickly being smothered as more & more people align themselves along the demographic sides that have made the WWW (& media in general) so popular & all powerful. It isn't going to stop any time soon as long as there's money to be made on so-called social "networking".
1
Poor Yik Yak. Talk about killing the messenger...
5
Why is nobody proposing a national campaign against MAC with the demand to take down this source of misery? The continuation of Yik Yak is dependent on the Apple store making it available. Couldn't MAC be held liable were there a suicide clearly connected to an episode of bullying?
3
The Yik Yak app also runs on Android:
http://support.yikyakapp.com/
http://support.yikyakapp.com/
Does anyone else see the irony in 400+ NYT comments from everywhere about an autonomous social media app with a mile and a half range? Let's hope it doesn't become a tool for thieves.
2
Though I know of Yik Yak and am often about a campus, I have no interest in the app. I have never read a post and have no intention of doing so. The point is, why should I read ever Yik Yak?
2
Wow, are there that many people that want to by anonymously abusive? What's that about? Yuk.
5
The most revealing thing is the article is the photograph of the founders in their office.
There you see two kids sitting on a sofa on top of a table surrounded by toys and their peers, tossing a basketball into the air, celebrating their wealth and privilege, and the fact that they can continue to live as adolescents thanks to a frivolous new toy they invented that adds nothing positive or needed to anyone's life, and is enabling other adolescents to chatter harmfully, rather than do something worthwhile.
There you see two kids sitting on a sofa on top of a table surrounded by toys and their peers, tossing a basketball into the air, celebrating their wealth and privilege, and the fact that they can continue to live as adolescents thanks to a frivolous new toy they invented that adds nothing positive or needed to anyone's life, and is enabling other adolescents to chatter harmfully, rather than do something worthwhile.
34
Frat boys, adolescents, children.
12
Smart phones should be collected at the beginning of every class. How can anyone learn when they have their heads down texting away during a lecture?! It is amazing that people can no longer go for any length of time without a hand held electronic commenting about every breath they take. We don't care people. I don't care what toilet paper you are using, I don't care that you are crossing the street, I don't care what you had to eat for breakfast; it is all drivel and it is making our society and educational systems stupid. We are rapidly losing the ability to communicate longer than 140 characters. The abuse and nonsense is escalating at a geometric rate because mass technology gravitates to the lowest common denominator and it is addictive. Add in that there is no way to track these insipid anonymous and mindless commentators and it's the recipe for another waste of time.
4
Yet in 2016 we'll be inundated with stories about the youth vote and how important it is, as if the wisdom and judgement of this age group is what we should follow.
4
I have seen the damage Yik Yak has done to a high school girl - thank goodness this was not a girl at risk of suicide, because this is the type of virtual bullying that could push a young person over the edge. What makes it more dangerous is that there is no accountability - of course, a rumor or slander on Facebook or on text message could cause as much damage, but on Yik Yak, there is not even a chance that the perpetrator of these posts would have to apologize or make amends or learn anything from his or her actions.
Virtual bullying is a real problem and concrete solutions need to be developed to decrease its power.
Virtual bullying is a real problem and concrete solutions need to be developed to decrease its power.
5
This article absolutely disgusts me. Not because of what people are writing on Yik Yak but because of the shrill insistence that it's a shame colleges can't censor what students write. Doubly so because most of the people clamoring for more filters on what is acceptable speech are themselves grown adults!
Have we competely lost focus on what college is for?
College is about having your worldview challenged. It's about new ideas and new perspectives. Sometimes these new ideas and perspectives may shock or offend--but that's precisely the point! Trying to bubble-wrap the world doesn't work. Everyone gets a trophy and everyone has to only think or say nice things about others?
What do you say to the students shamed for thinking differently? What do you say to the kid's just blowing off steam?
How about instead of whining about mean comments and rushing to censor free expression (newsflash: abuse of rights doesn't vitiate arguments for their preservation in a robust form!), they lead by example and offer a forum for critics instead of locking down students' outlets for thought until the only thing they feel like doing is being vitriolic on an anonymous chat service? Who knows? Maybe their classes are terrible? But who could tell them that when hurt feelings now lead to calls for expulsion hearings.
Probably too much to ask from the ivory tower crowd, but as an ancient college grad I retain hope.
Have we competely lost focus on what college is for?
College is about having your worldview challenged. It's about new ideas and new perspectives. Sometimes these new ideas and perspectives may shock or offend--but that's precisely the point! Trying to bubble-wrap the world doesn't work. Everyone gets a trophy and everyone has to only think or say nice things about others?
What do you say to the students shamed for thinking differently? What do you say to the kid's just blowing off steam?
How about instead of whining about mean comments and rushing to censor free expression (newsflash: abuse of rights doesn't vitiate arguments for their preservation in a robust form!), they lead by example and offer a forum for critics instead of locking down students' outlets for thought until the only thing they feel like doing is being vitriolic on an anonymous chat service? Who knows? Maybe their classes are terrible? But who could tell them that when hurt feelings now lead to calls for expulsion hearings.
Probably too much to ask from the ivory tower crowd, but as an ancient college grad I retain hope.
30
And too much to ask for from abusers. Can you imagine how concentrated the abuse in a "forum"? Not exactly new ideas or perspectives
1
My issue is not with free speech but anonymity. This translates into not taking responsibility for your own speech. If one doesn't learn that in college, what is the point of all that education?
@cs-
Tell me , as an ancient college grad, how much diversity was on campus? Did you go to a lily white school with very few ethnic or other minorities? And did you ever ask someone on that campus who wasn't white, or was a bit of a nerd, or was different, how they felt they were treated? The reasons colleges are concerned about things like social media is because today those things have immense power, they are how many people relate to the world, with each other, and it is how reputations can be made or broken.
When you went to college (and myself as well, class of 85), there always were rumors flying around about people, there were nasty things said..but the difference is, if someone spread rumors about you, vicious ones, it was pretty easy to trace them back to the source and deal with them. With social media it often is anonymous, those posting that stuff are cowards, because they know they cannot be traced easily, hence they are willing to say anything.
More importantly, because fellow students use this media, they see what others are writing about them. I realize that supposedly the app doesn't allow using names, but it is possible to write something about someone and id them without using names, if I say "The captain of the swim team has herpes", not hard to id who the person is......and much of the rants are not discourse, they are rants that are meant at demeaning and bullying others, and what they do is create a bad impression of the school, among other things
Tell me , as an ancient college grad, how much diversity was on campus? Did you go to a lily white school with very few ethnic or other minorities? And did you ever ask someone on that campus who wasn't white, or was a bit of a nerd, or was different, how they felt they were treated? The reasons colleges are concerned about things like social media is because today those things have immense power, they are how many people relate to the world, with each other, and it is how reputations can be made or broken.
When you went to college (and myself as well, class of 85), there always were rumors flying around about people, there were nasty things said..but the difference is, if someone spread rumors about you, vicious ones, it was pretty easy to trace them back to the source and deal with them. With social media it often is anonymous, those posting that stuff are cowards, because they know they cannot be traced easily, hence they are willing to say anything.
More importantly, because fellow students use this media, they see what others are writing about them. I realize that supposedly the app doesn't allow using names, but it is possible to write something about someone and id them without using names, if I say "The captain of the swim team has herpes", not hard to id who the person is......and much of the rants are not discourse, they are rants that are meant at demeaning and bullying others, and what they do is create a bad impression of the school, among other things
1
This is one of those man in the mirror moments. Aside from the less quantifiable karmatic blowback, the same axiom pertains to both on and off-line gossiping: Anonymous or not, to the degree you're gossiping about someone is often the degree in which someone is gossiping about you.
5
More American exceptionalism.
9
For you Yik Yak enthusiasts: Am I somehow missing out - leading a less than full, flourishing, abundant life - by not signing up for, and devoting time and energy to, Yik Yak?
2
Actually, something CAN be done. D attends a private high school; after some incredibly offensive yik yak comments were posted about faculty and fellow students, students were reminded of school policies at a special assembly and warned to IMMEDIATELY go back to their rooms and delete anything on any social media that violated policies. They were warned, "We know you don't believe it, but all violators will be caught and expelled, and legacy admissions terminated for their family (a pretty big deal, actually)." D said that "Nope, no one believed a word of it. We thought it was all based on helpless desperation."
The next morning at 8:00, after day students arrived, students were sent to the dorms, and faculty/ staff collected all cell phones, iPads and the like, and required all id's and password to social media. The penalty for refusing was on-the-spot expulsion. Pack up belongings, on to the bus to the airport immediately, no exceptions.
Based on the findings, they expelled 20 female students - 5% of the female student body - and some fewer boys. They put a geo block on yik yak - whatever that means or however it is done - and began monitoring and archiving all wifi communication on the school network.
My understanding is that some of the girls were told to either reveal who else in their clique posted some of the comments or else face criminal charges in addition to expulsion.
They stopped it cold, at least for now. Finger in the dike? Who knows.
The next morning at 8:00, after day students arrived, students were sent to the dorms, and faculty/ staff collected all cell phones, iPads and the like, and required all id's and password to social media. The penalty for refusing was on-the-spot expulsion. Pack up belongings, on to the bus to the airport immediately, no exceptions.
Based on the findings, they expelled 20 female students - 5% of the female student body - and some fewer boys. They put a geo block on yik yak - whatever that means or however it is done - and began monitoring and archiving all wifi communication on the school network.
My understanding is that some of the girls were told to either reveal who else in their clique posted some of the comments or else face criminal charges in addition to expulsion.
They stopped it cold, at least for now. Finger in the dike? Who knows.
137
Yeah- asking people to give up their privacy? Not going to work on a large scale. Maybe at a private institution of that size, but that would NEVER work at a public state school. Forcing people to stop using it or asking for their passwords is not the way.
maybe because the people who ran the school thought things out ahead of time and wrote in the schools rules that they could do this. they probably read the book 'Lord of the Flies'.
1
Based on the description of events in the article, I would have assumed this school was in the Islamic Caliphate, but then I realized they would not have any girls in school. So I assume the school is located in some other jurisdiction where they can effectively breach all personal freedoms without concern, like liberal California or reactionary Texas, or this is some sort of odd religious fundamentalist school. Any other school would be a little nuts to pursue this course of conduct since the legal ramifications and liabilities could be incredible. That being said, I have seen first hand the fascist intolerance of both liberal and conservative educators, so maybe they are in fact nuts. By the way, these days you can get in a lot of trouble by using the phrase "finger in the dike."
4
Just what the world needs. Two 20-somethings that didn't consider ahead, who would have thunk it!, what the destructive nature of putting 'disenfranchised' people together would end up doing to a large measure. Now worth millions? Forget anonymity; we need to have some sort of regulatory commission of forward thinkers that get to pass on what gets to be a new 'app' so that some sense of ethical balance -- how about, have you considered the consequences of this app format? -- might be a constraining factor before Silicon Valley supports the new, next best thing. People's lives and feelings matter and now, they are not a part of our new algorithm driven society. It's the bottom line. And trust me, we are scraping the bottom of the barrel with some of this stuff.
3
Venture capital firms don't put money into companies just for thrills. Somewhere there's a plan to monetize this app and those using it should remember the mantra that if the app is free, you're the product.
These apps often are designed to tap into everything in your phone; the anonymity in this may be completely illusory as far as the relationship between the user and the company. I'd be very careful with this one and I'd be hesitant to download it for that very reason without really looking in to what information it gathers from the user.
These apps often are designed to tap into everything in your phone; the anonymity in this may be completely illusory as far as the relationship between the user and the company. I'd be very careful with this one and I'd be hesitant to download it for that very reason without really looking in to what information it gathers from the user.
17
The reason mankind still struggles to find world peace? The answer lies in the arguing for free speech and justification for things like Yik Yak. Folks just don't it get --- sometimes you gotta give up the "fun" and "right to" to have some greater than what's currently tolerated.
But in the meanwhile, as the damage and exsistance of Yik Yak is being "discussed" the awareness of the extent of how damaged our future generation is and will operate in society seems to go unnoticed. Scary.
But in the meanwhile, as the damage and exsistance of Yik Yak is being "discussed" the awareness of the extent of how damaged our future generation is and will operate in society seems to go unnoticed. Scary.
5
Come to Silicon Valley and change the world!
3
How many of these junk frat-boy "social" media apps will be around in 5 years?
2
Note that none of the universities named as being roiled with controversy over these abusive posts is noted for its academic rigour.
2
Umm... Middlebury? Also, if you look at Yale's yik yak, it is just as bad as any other college. I don't understand your point.
1
Yale's Yik Yak may be bad, but Yale is not among the schools named in this article. (I'm not an Eli.) Can't answer for Middlebury. Having lived and worked in Princeton (though that's not my alma mater; I was a townie) I can vouch for your point that the Ivies do not guarantee maturity and intellectual rigour. The other schools named here fall on a range, but my point is that if the students were actually working at their education - which admittedly can be done at any decent school, not just the supposedly most exalted - they would have developed the responsibility and maturity not to behave like yahoos. It's not the fault of the technology: you can put a club within reach, but only a caveman picks it up and bashes someone with it. Maybe one can excuse (barely)the kiddies at Phillips Exeter, and without singling out any particular college I will say that of some of the ones named in this article, one just shrugs, 'oh, well, what would you expect'.
Hope that is a little clearer, A.
Hope that is a little clearer, A.
1
Yuck to Yik Yak. Students should boycott the thing. It's cowardly not to sign your communications.
8
I feel there are valid reasons for posting anonymously to a public forum (he said anonymously). I draw the line, however, at—or at a comfortable distance from—speech outside the bounds of civilized discourse. "What," you may ask, "is 'civilized discourse'?" "That's negotiable," is my reply. By all means, let's discuss it, negotiate. My fear, though, is that the whole concept of "civilized discourse" has become optional—or, worse, irrelevant. That's what I meant by "dangerous" in my other comment.
Wow, another platform for cowards to hide behind. What a revelation.
Pretty soon that is all that will be left of the internet.
Anonymity rules and it is monetized so that the knuckleheads using it don't get paid for their data.
It sounds so American.
Pretty soon that is all that will be left of the internet.
Anonymity rules and it is monetized so that the knuckleheads using it don't get paid for their data.
It sounds so American.
9
I LUV THIS....
1> Millions invested into a anonymity based gossip app.
2> That has no value and generates no revenue.
3> Creating an environment where hate, bigotry and racism is encouraged by virtue of the anonymity offered.
4. Revealing the true nature of mankind's disdain for itself.
Real life...."Lord of the Flies"...don'tcha love humanity!?
1> Millions invested into a anonymity based gossip app.
2> That has no value and generates no revenue.
3> Creating an environment where hate, bigotry and racism is encouraged by virtue of the anonymity offered.
4. Revealing the true nature of mankind's disdain for itself.
Real life...."Lord of the Flies"...don'tcha love humanity!?
17
It's important to actually know who your fellows are, as false impressions promote naiveté. This Yik Yak does that. Prior constraint on vile commentary allows the vile to hide amongst us while we remain unaware. The voting system to kill a post is a proper way to both allow true nature to be expressed, while maintaining a serious and mature flow of ideas.
1
The problem with a voting system to kill posts, is that bullies could gang up to kill positive ones, or ones that defend a person being bullied.
5
This is one more example of our society's decent in to brutality and shamelessness, it's difficult to see what the end result will be or how to reverse the trend. In my days at college, any kind of ugliness or hate speech would have been considered so uncool, that person would have been ostracized. Now, it's the reverse.
While the parents may have been naive about what an app that allows people to post without consequences would look like, Sequoia Capital would have picked up on it immediately. But then, venture capitalists aren't known for their sensitivity towards the marginalized and minorities and women. They just aren't on their radar. As Silicon Valley knows, sexism sells - whether it's gaming or Yik Yak and the people who could and should be the gatekeepers, aren't budging from their position of putting money before humanity.
While the parents may have been naive about what an app that allows people to post without consequences would look like, Sequoia Capital would have picked up on it immediately. But then, venture capitalists aren't known for their sensitivity towards the marginalized and minorities and women. They just aren't on their radar. As Silicon Valley knows, sexism sells - whether it's gaming or Yik Yak and the people who could and should be the gatekeepers, aren't budging from their position of putting money before humanity.
12
The difference is back in your college days there didn't need to be official actions, for the most part, to punish essentially uncivil or rude behavior - society took care of it themselves. Now we are steeped in the "who am I to judge", moral equivalency nonsense and thus rely on government, schools, etc. to police society for us. As we have seen, those bureaucratic institutions are ill-equipped to actually do this very well without using a sledge hammer approach, and we often lose more than we gain in the process (witness the absurdity of speech codes on campus - to appease vocal groups the entire populace must be sanctioned often for vague concepts like "giving offense").
2
Descent, not decent. In fact, definitely not decent.
3
I wish I could blame this on auto-correct. :-0
These discussions seems to pit the virtue of transparency against the virtue of privacy, with both entangled in a Gordian knot. Privacy protects venomous trolls and teenage girls alike. The virtues of transparency are more subtle, but at least one enters dangerous waters free of illusions. I am curious as to how the younger generations will sort this out.
3
Consider the source, maybe? The low-life makes a disparaging statement about you, that's a concern? I'd think the real problem would be if the same party held you in high esteem.
1
Yik Yak may be an even more extreme platform to spew hate than youtube's comment section or the countless other platforms. The question is: will the suppression of platforms erase these thoughts from people's mind? The answer is "probably not", then will condemning these hateful messages further isolate the posters or will they guide them into more politically correct thoughts in a constructive way?
Further, will the offended be less offended knowing these thoughts exist (in a 1.5 mile radius), if the platform doesn't? Then are we all basically being willfully ignorant, that being the perfectly acceptable social behaviour?
We can't forget that Yik Yak may turn around to be a very useful social tool (in 1984 for example), and the inevitable suppression that ensues may be what we are trying to argue for.
Further, will the offended be less offended knowing these thoughts exist (in a 1.5 mile radius), if the platform doesn't? Then are we all basically being willfully ignorant, that being the perfectly acceptable social behaviour?
We can't forget that Yik Yak may turn around to be a very useful social tool (in 1984 for example), and the inevitable suppression that ensues may be what we are trying to argue for.
1
Any reason why they can't simply require posters to be identified, and just remove the veil of anonymity? If, as some replies here suggest, the majority of Yaks are positive in nature, who would this harm other than those who are harming others?
4
It would harm the investors. The popularity of the app rests on it being completely anonymous. While Twitter works, not always successfully to keep things reasonable, Yik Yak's appeal lies in the fact that there are no consequences. Without that feature, the app is meaningless.
That's the thing about the harm that the VC world can do. While they would never admit they don't have a social conscience, the fact is that their whole world is centered around their concerns. Yes, they care about the environment but when it comes to making a buck, they turn the other way and support the most misogynistic enterprises out there.
That's the thing about the harm that the VC world can do. While they would never admit they don't have a social conscience, the fact is that their whole world is centered around their concerns. Yes, they care about the environment but when it comes to making a buck, they turn the other way and support the most misogynistic enterprises out there.
9
Another outstanding reason to not have a "smart" phone.
7
Each of us thinks obnoxious, and even downright odious, thoughts every day, several times a day. Someone cut you off in traffic? Your boss snapped at you in front of others? The process of socialization is learning not to express or act on those thoughts, as a two-year-old might, because there are consequences if you do. The problem with Yik Yak is that it gives free rein to people to express these thoughts -- even direct them at specific people -- without the slightest repercussion. It's a mistake to think that users will "learn" to "govern themselves" over time -- not having to do so is precisely what makes Yik Yak so emotionally satisfying.
39
You are so right. My grandmother used to say: "Some things you think and you say out loud. Some things you just think and keep to yourself".
1
It would seem simple enough to, in addition to a "thumbs down" rating, allow users to flag posts as offensive. Posts flagged as offensive by 5 or more people would be taken down. People who repeatedly post offensive material would have their accounts suspended or banned.
This could all be done while maintaining the site's cherished anonymity. In fact, the anonymity would protect people from having their posts flagged by bullies since the bullies would have no way of targeting an individual user's posts.
This could all be done while maintaining the site's cherished anonymity. In fact, the anonymity would protect people from having their posts flagged by bullies since the bullies would have no way of targeting an individual user's posts.
1
I became aware of Yik Yak in November, when I received an alert from my son's high school that there had been an anonymous threat to the school on Yik Yak and the entire school was in lock-down. I was across the country about to fly back home, and downloaded Yik Yak to try to make some sense of the ordeal, while my son and all his classmates were sitting on the floor under the windows, while the police swept the campus. Not a pleasant introduction!
I've looked at Yik Yak since then, and there are some incredibly crude sexual postings. I told my children, ages 16 and 18, how vile it is, and (after laughing the Yik Yak is no place for a mother) said that there are some funny one-liners there, which is what appeals to them. I then tried to look at it again and realized there are crude and disgusting postings, which I noticed first, but also a few genuinely funny quips and one-liners, and also a lot of cries of loneliness. There seems to be a lot of lonely college and high school students out there.
There should be some rules for how far anonymity can go on sites like Yik Yak.
I've looked at Yik Yak since then, and there are some incredibly crude sexual postings. I told my children, ages 16 and 18, how vile it is, and (after laughing the Yik Yak is no place for a mother) said that there are some funny one-liners there, which is what appeals to them. I then tried to look at it again and realized there are crude and disgusting postings, which I noticed first, but also a few genuinely funny quips and one-liners, and also a lot of cries of loneliness. There seems to be a lot of lonely college and high school students out there.
There should be some rules for how far anonymity can go on sites like Yik Yak.
5
I guess racists and bullies and other abusers are among the disenfranchised. Thanks goodness these guys created an app to help them. And another thing, they realized just exactly what our modern society was sorely lacking: anonymity. We need more anonymity.
Really twisted.
Really twisted.
19
Not sure what the anger is about. The program does not claim to be something its not. If your skin isn't thick enough, don't read/use it. This anger at anonymity is baffling - when it works to your advantage, you love it. When it doesn't, you get angry. That is hypocrisy.
5
So you're telling me that if Yik Yak posters were ganging up on you - maybe your name gets removed by their tool but enough details remain to identify you - and the bullies were just saying hateful things about you on campus non-stop, you'd be able to live a normal, well-adjusted life, while people would snicker and point at you as you walked around oblivious to what's going on? That's why cyberbullying is so terrible. You can "ignore it" in the digital world but it becomes real world bullying in a heartbeat. The anger is precisely that the program so cheerfully flaunts what it's about - allowing anonymous people to engage in their most vile behavior in physical proximity to others. The anger is that we are letting our society flush itself down the toilet.
2
Until it's you.
2
I have a child at UNC-Chapel Hill. Started "peeking" at the school Yik Yak back in the fall. Yes, there are some awful posts (which get downvoted quickly), but here's what I learned: College kids miss their pets, their Moms and Dads and home cooking. They love to make silly jokes about rival schools. They speak longingly of trying to get up the nerve to talk with their crush (and get some good advice posted to the comment). They complain about their grades, give each other suggestions related to classes to sign up for and sometimes post hilarious, and heartfelt, comments on heartbreak, bombed tests and social miscues. Reading YikYak gave me a bit of insight into what my teen's life was like on campus. Hopefully, the company can figure out how to deliver a product with a some "comment moderation" to take care of the egregious stuff.
88
All the good stuff could be accomplished if the founders of Yik Yak made the yakkers more accountable. All the sweet stuff is great, until your son, daughter or their teachers are verbally abused and threatened.
6
Gee - teenagers are concerned with the same things teenagers have always been concerned with. What an insight.
The difference is that now they have the means to pretend they're in a classroom learning something when actually they're not.
You can filter out the egregious stuff, but it's not going to do anything about the tuition money going down the drain.
The difference is that now they have the means to pretend they're in a classroom learning something when actually they're not.
You can filter out the egregious stuff, but it's not going to do anything about the tuition money going down the drain.
2
btw, it's called "lurking"...
1
'...“I have been defamed, my reputation besmirched. I have been sexually harassed and verbally abused. I am about ready to hire a lawyer,” said Margaret Crouch...'
The solution to offensive speech is more speech, not the attempt to suppress other's speech, no matter how sophomoric and rude, which is hardly surprising coming from college students.
Or any even easier solution, which is not to read it.
The solution to offensive speech is more speech, not the attempt to suppress other's speech, no matter how sophomoric and rude, which is hardly surprising coming from college students.
Or any even easier solution, which is not to read it.
29
Solution would be to fail everyone in the course unless the people had the academic integrity to say that to your face. Give every four days to digest it, and unless all come forward in class with their peers, fail them all. Let their peers decided the appropriate punishment.
2
I suspect most yak readers know they aren't fair, are just sound and fury and bear only the faintest or no relation to reality; in that respect they are like advertising, which none of us takes at face value. I would recommend a sense of humor, a slightly thickened skin and a philosophical attitude ( Stoicism, perhaps ? ) as first lines of defense. And also take Oscar Wilde's advice: " Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them quite as much."
There's a side that this story didn't get into.
Many of the complaints were directed at the course content and the teachers' competence and teaching style. The teachers weren't trained in the field, they were indoctrinating rather than teaching, and they didn't respond to student objections to the points they were making, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
You can't understand the issue (and you have no right to judge them) if you haven't seen the supposed offensive comments themselves, which the NYT unfortunately didn't quote. I thought they were legitimate criticism of the course and the teachers. http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/21505/
I'm disappointed in the NYT readers to see these comments overwhelmingly accepting the teachers' side without hearing the other side.
Many of the complaints were directed at the course content and the teachers' competence and teaching style. The teachers weren't trained in the field, they were indoctrinating rather than teaching, and they didn't respond to student objections to the points they were making, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
You can't understand the issue (and you have no right to judge them) if you haven't seen the supposed offensive comments themselves, which the NYT unfortunately didn't quote. I thought they were legitimate criticism of the course and the teachers. http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/21505/
I'm disappointed in the NYT readers to see these comments overwhelmingly accepting the teachers' side without hearing the other side.
4
Would it have made a difference to Jordan Seman if her Yak source had identified himself? Imagine if you will a system called Yuk Yuk where one could push a button and identify the anonymous intruder. Would that satisfy Jordan Seman? Jordan Seman's classy suggestions did not say. Only she knows. The answer may matter in deciding what, if anything, to do about Yik Yak. Any response is necessarily limited. Even careless people of low background have rights they have not earned.
1
There seems to be no limit to bad taste and venture capitalist greed in backing anything, regardless of social implications. I support free speech but this is being able to scream Fire in a movie theater and having no implications to the deaths created by the run for the exits.
5
Here's an example of a positive application of social networking, a nice opposite to Yik Yak:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2015/03/07/391269248/in-vermo...
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2015/03/07/391269248/in-vermo...
1
It's heart-warming, is it not, to hear about fraternity brothers, funded by their parents, building something for the "disenfranchised." At least it sounds like they took a PR class as undergrads.
16
Will millennial please stop acting like they are the first people in the history of humanity that anyone has ever said anything mean about?
And will Progressives please stop encouraging these kids to think they have a right to live in a word where no one says mean things?
And will Progressives please stop encouraging these kids to think they have a right to live in a word where no one says mean things?
8
Help college kids to rid themselves of the smartphone tyranny that imprisons them: bring back the draft.
4
That Eastern Mich prof should be absolutely ashamed of herself.
To a degree, it's understandable that the young adults and teenagers are bothered by anonymous venom. They are young, immature, in a mercilessly unforgiving social environment, the venom comes from their peers and some are in alien surroundings.
But for a grown woman—and a professor, no less—to scream defamation, sexual abuse and verbal abuse, and threaten the involvement of an attorny, b/c a bunch of nasty things were said about her by her students is utterly pathetic.
Of course the posts were despicable and indefensible.
So what?
They are just words. Until someone shows a causal link between the social media toxicity and real-world consequences, those words are the cost of doing business in a free society.
That is the way freedoms work—they exist until they prove more harmful than good, and then they are curtailed.
If you want anonymity on the Internet (and I am no proponent of it), this idiocy is part of the bargain and always will be b/c some people will always be hardwired that way.
So either accept it and quit complaining, or begin advocating for transparency and limits on freedom of expression. Either is a fine choice.
Moaning about nasty words while advocating for untrammeled 1st Amendment rights is just self-entitled, I-want-my-cake-and-to-eat-it-too nonsense.
To a degree, it's understandable that the young adults and teenagers are bothered by anonymous venom. They are young, immature, in a mercilessly unforgiving social environment, the venom comes from their peers and some are in alien surroundings.
But for a grown woman—and a professor, no less—to scream defamation, sexual abuse and verbal abuse, and threaten the involvement of an attorny, b/c a bunch of nasty things were said about her by her students is utterly pathetic.
Of course the posts were despicable and indefensible.
So what?
They are just words. Until someone shows a causal link between the social media toxicity and real-world consequences, those words are the cost of doing business in a free society.
That is the way freedoms work—they exist until they prove more harmful than good, and then they are curtailed.
If you want anonymity on the Internet (and I am no proponent of it), this idiocy is part of the bargain and always will be b/c some people will always be hardwired that way.
So either accept it and quit complaining, or begin advocating for transparency and limits on freedom of expression. Either is a fine choice.
Moaning about nasty words while advocating for untrammeled 1st Amendment rights is just self-entitled, I-want-my-cake-and-to-eat-it-too nonsense.
6
What we are seeing is the true nature of the human species. Ours has been a history or warfare and violence, fear, anger and hate. The Internet has allowed all of those personal evil thoughts to to surface from our minds and be distributed throughout the planet. Look at all the hate broadcast 24/7 on fake news shows and hate radio, on extremist internet sites. We should all be very frightened of what the future portends for the human race.
7
As Christopher Hitchens reflected, we are roughly half a chromosome away from a chimpanzee.
3
Why should I be frightened? If it's "true nature," shouldn't I be glad for the truth? Or do I live in a world in which I must choose between lies or fear?
in reply to Ken from Portland:
This is not about conservatives versus liberals. Liberal kids are as likely to believe in the inherent virtue of the virtual world as are conservative kids. And, without the demand, the purveyors of all this online garbage, whatever their political persuasion, would be out of business.
Here's a question for all of us: how does one write a column such as this one and make voluminous comments without the net effect being to advertise and promote something most of us do not like?
This is not about conservatives versus liberals. Liberal kids are as likely to believe in the inherent virtue of the virtual world as are conservative kids. And, without the demand, the purveyors of all this online garbage, whatever their political persuasion, would be out of business.
Here's a question for all of us: how does one write a column such as this one and make voluminous comments without the net effect being to advertise and promote something most of us do not like?
1
Yik Yak is a dangerous app, and I expect will lead to suicides. So, what do we do? Put pressure on Yik Yak to not allow users to remain anonymous. Initiate a petition on Change.org and get the word out.
2
By simply calling it "dangerous," suddenly I want the app. And if you kill it, a hundred more will pop up in its place, like moles. And that is my hope. Because ridding the world of words you don't like will require at least as much vigilance to the point of mania as would emptying the oceans with a tea cup. However, we would prefer your respect, if not estimable appreciation, for our right to say whatever we want, to whom we want, whenever we want, without fear of becoming another hooded "terrorist" ascending the altar of your holier than thou gallows. In short, please be at least as "progressive," or at least as "conservative" as those among us who have learned how to survive words...since high school.
These are your children.
7
Finally! A forum that Beavis and Butthead can call their own.
6
If Yik Yak can't keep track who posted which comment, it should be held responsible, as if it had written the comment itself. Too much of the value of these internet companies comes from the monetization of illegality.
5
"Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington"
Seriously, are these the real names of these two guys? I know that white men who attend universities in ex-Confederate states and join fraternities tend to have somewhat ludicrous-sounding names that would have sounded at home in a Margaret Mitchell novel about the Antebellum era. But even the names of these two guys sound too made-up for a fictional novel.
And Tyler and Brooks, if you're reading this and your feelings are hurt or whatever...uh well then shut down your stupid YikYak app.
Seriously, are these the real names of these two guys? I know that white men who attend universities in ex-Confederate states and join fraternities tend to have somewhat ludicrous-sounding names that would have sounded at home in a Margaret Mitchell novel about the Antebellum era. But even the names of these two guys sound too made-up for a fictional novel.
And Tyler and Brooks, if you're reading this and your feelings are hurt or whatever...uh well then shut down your stupid YikYak app.
34
Do you have a list of non-ludicrous-sounding names you'd care to offer the two gentlemen for their consideration? How do you know their names are ludicrous?
Are you inclined to restrict yourself to white men in evaluating the ludicrousness of names?
How their names sound to you is respectfully and congenially acknowledged.
Are you inclined to restrict yourself to white men in evaluating the ludicrousness of names?
How their names sound to you is respectfully and congenially acknowledged.
1
Not surprised at all by the rise of an anonymous channel like this, think what you will, but the rise of Political Correctness and intolerance to derision of anyone, except the "privileged", has led to the rise of identity politics in which certain groups cannot be criticized for being who they are as an individual because ANY criticism is viewed as an attack of their identity group. Is anyone really surprised that strictures put on human communication due to unyielding PC speech (where your entire life can be ruined because you "offended" someone) would lead to the emergence of a backchannel? And of course, because a backchannel is the only way to communicate, the pendulum swings toward hateful speech. It would be better if social norms regulated human behavior versus school policies. Perhaps then, people would learn to regulate their behavior, versus having to suppress it and then let it run wild on Yik Yak
5
Social media, such as YI Yak, is not social at all. Rather it is asocial, allowing participants to be inconsiderate and offensive to others, remaining anonymous.
The rubbish shared is not new. Groups of younger college guys (girls too?) have long inserted rubbish into their small group conversational fun. Broadcasting it widely but narrowly enough that its targets will notice, providing fiendish pleasure at one end and deep hurt at the other end is simply cruel. The millions of dollars invested in this start-up company should be better spent on an indeed social purpose, one that benefits people.
The rubbish shared is not new. Groups of younger college guys (girls too?) have long inserted rubbish into their small group conversational fun. Broadcasting it widely but narrowly enough that its targets will notice, providing fiendish pleasure at one end and deep hurt at the other end is simply cruel. The millions of dollars invested in this start-up company should be better spent on an indeed social purpose, one that benefits people.
11
It has come to this, elite colleges and universities, where offspring of the bourgeoise use "smart" phones to spout useless, hateful, sexist, ageist, racist, creepy "yikyak". The creators of "yikyak", white, male fraternity brothers who "designed this app for the disenfranchised" ( ! ) have fulfilled every dream of their hovering parents, who provided the funding, and even the name, imagine the mileage they get out of that at the country club. Eventually this app will go the way of the dodo, but possibly "yikyak" will remain in the language, meaning something empty and cruel.
30
What makes you think that one article on abuse represents an entire generation of people.
1
The college students in this article represent a social class, I know first hand they do not represent an entire generation.
Honestly, when was the last time you read anything worthwhile on Twitter or services like Yik Yak? Unless it's coming from Maidan or Tahrir Squares, it's all narcissistic drivel.
10
Maybe students need this. Maybe they need to blow off steam occasionally. They are on American college campuses, most of them constrained by speech codes, and now, with a phantom "rape crisis" ravaging their imaginations, behavior codes surely will come. Students should be able to say anything they want on this one site, be as socially criminal as they see fit - sexist, racist, anti-Semitic, whatever. By constantly telling our young they can be spiritually destroyed by mere words, that they can suffer long-term psychic harm, or turn into murderous fascists at any mere urging, we are raising a nation of mental and emotional weaklings.
15
How about writing things in a diary? Why share hatred with everyone?
Prof. Crouch, a gender studies specialist at a lower-tier state university, ran to her union to protect her from her students. They probably didn't want to be in her course to begin with and weren't buying what she was peddling. The higher you go in academia, the nastier it gets. What top-ranked scholars say about each other, their junior colleagues, and their doctoral students would teach these kids lessons in viciousness that they could take straight to Wall Street. Top-drawer lecturers, in contrast, need only a modicum Aristotle but a lot of Joan Rivers to manage the large audiences they are assigned to teach. The life of a tenured humanities professor at Eastern Michigan is moving from super-cushy to slightly-stressed. That's not such a bad outcome.
1
You can't design a hyper-local social networking app that lures users in by the promise of anonymity then express surprise at the level of snark. Snark is just the condiment -- malice aforethought without consequences is the feast. This is baked into this particular start up from the get go. Good luck walking it back.
10
It seems like a good way of solving this would be for Yik Yak to add an "outvote" button in addition to "up vote" and "down vote" for each post. If more than some number of people (say 20) vote to "out" you, then your name will suddenly appear with your post. This would leave most posts anonymous, but particularly negative posts that receive the critical number of outvotes would find their anonymity suddenly disappearing. This would provide a reasonably strong incentive for people to limit their hate speech, while still accomplishing Yik Yak's goal of providing a (mostly) anonymous communication forum.
6
"In December, a group of 50 professors at Colgate University — which had experienced a rash of racist comments on the app earlier in the fall — tried a different approach, flooding the app with positive posts."
This is what I like to see! There is no need for censorship. Fight words with words.
This is what I like to see! There is no need for censorship. Fight words with words.
9
I hate to resort to stereotypes here, but of course it was a couple frat wads who founded the company behind this socially abusive app. Oh right, apps don't degrade anyone, people do. But they sure facilitate it.
16
This is my daily reminder of the fragile, thin veneer of civilization that separates us from the Lord of the Flies.
33
When was the last time that something was invented that actually moved the human "ball" - if you will - down the field. Maybe the Internet itself? Definitely a mixed blessing though, as this article shows. Yik Yak is valued in the millions? For what? The fact that Yik Yak is valued at all tells us as much about how lame our times are as the behavior its users exhibit.
13
Maybe the new environmentally friendly tech?
I see two issues here. First we see the consequences of anonymity. When individuals have the opportunity to act with the knowledge that they can do so without accountability, we see the worst of human nature come out. It's freedom of the mob to act without fear of repercussions. The app developers are hiding behind constitutional rights by creating a means for bullies to act out without paying the price.
Secondly one must ask the question: why so much incivility, so much hate? Why do so many young people feel the need to express hostile feelings towards one another and to the authorities that they should respect?
There is a conspicuous lack of common decency here. There seem to be a lot of people who lack a conscience, which after all is supposed to put the brake on your impulses before you act in them, anonymous or not.
Secondly one must ask the question: why so much incivility, so much hate? Why do so many young people feel the need to express hostile feelings towards one another and to the authorities that they should respect?
There is a conspicuous lack of common decency here. There seem to be a lot of people who lack a conscience, which after all is supposed to put the brake on your impulses before you act in them, anonymous or not.
6
"During a brief recess in an honors course at Eastern Michigan University last fall, a teaching assistant approached the class’s three female professors. “I think you need to see this,” she said, tapping the icon of a furry yak on her iPhone."
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Was any problem actually solved when the professors were shown this? Or did it create a problem that hadn't existed before?
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Was any problem actually solved when the professors were shown this? Or did it create a problem that hadn't existed before?
2
There are no moral, ethical, or common decency concerns on the rapid road to billions in western capitalist culture, just turbo charged in the world of apps and "social" media.
6
Something invented and promoted by two frat boys is demeaning, vulgar, racist, misogynistic, cruel and stupid?
No surprise.
No surprise.
13
Oh my goodness. People made fun of her name! Better call Eric Holder.
4
Free speech and anonymous speech are not synonymous.
360
But aren't they? If not. why not? Where is it written in law that you may only opine on something or someone if you first identity yourself? What about writers who use a pseudonym, say, in order to challenge political matters in greater safety?
It's fine to criticize anonymous speech that some find offensive, but at some point its just drivel, bytes, hot air on a screen. People say the same or worse in private one on one conversation. Should that be banned as well?
The best anecdote to stupid apps like Yik Yak is societal rejection of such inane messaging. You won't eliminate it, but the old concept of public shaming to discourage impolite or selfish behavior is preferable to trying to craft ever more tendentious laws.
It's fine to criticize anonymous speech that some find offensive, but at some point its just drivel, bytes, hot air on a screen. People say the same or worse in private one on one conversation. Should that be banned as well?
The best anecdote to stupid apps like Yik Yak is societal rejection of such inane messaging. You won't eliminate it, but the old concept of public shaming to discourage impolite or selfish behavior is preferable to trying to craft ever more tendentious laws.
3
Yet anonymous speech is often synonymous with honest speech. I don't much like the idea of Stepford America.
2
Sixmile, I don't think James Madison would agree. Back in his day, and for much later, it was traditional to submit letters to the editor under false names. My parents once purchased a letter signed by "Andrew Jackson:, which they returned after an expert determined it to be fake. From this they studied history and learned how common the practice was. The first amendment was written not so long after writing a letter criticizing the King would have landed you in jail, had the authorities been able to identify you.
9
Thank god Tyler Droll didn't wind up becoming a doctor!
16
My thoughts, exactly!
1
I am 31. I was attending a local MA college when Facebook was founded and I was amongst probably the first 200,000 users to sign up. I remember it like the movie Social Network, where Facebook caught on virtually overnight as a harmless way to connect with your classmates. It was the place to share cat videos and look up elementary school friends whom you haven't talked to in a decade. It was the place where your friends said, "Oh, your Facebook friend is cute! Can you introduce us?" Then they opened it to everyone of all ages, and we were mildly amused that my teenage cousins were joining as well as grandma. Now as we millenials age, our Facebook accounts are not so much about displaying drunk party photos as they are about sharing baby and wedding photos.
Now I read about all this cyberbullying and anonymous spew of hate against women and racial minorities, I really shudder at how the next generation is going to grow up. Will the next generation become more hateful, thinking it's ok to make others feel alienated and scared because they could get away with it? I am actually a little afraid to raise children in this climate. I can't reasonably take away their technology, but how can anyone make their children resilient against hate directed at them?
Now I read about all this cyberbullying and anonymous spew of hate against women and racial minorities, I really shudder at how the next generation is going to grow up. Will the next generation become more hateful, thinking it's ok to make others feel alienated and scared because they could get away with it? I am actually a little afraid to raise children in this climate. I can't reasonably take away their technology, but how can anyone make their children resilient against hate directed at them?
18
So, the colleges just shrug their shoulders, eh? "It's anonymous." "It's free speech". "No imminent threat". "Students will just use their cellphone networks if we block it on-campus". And the administrators move on. I have news for the university where I teach: If what happens to the philosophy professors in this article happens to me, and you have not made any attempt to block Yik Yak from being used on campus, and you do not even attempt to force Yik Yak to reveal who made the hateful, violent, threatening, etc. statements, then I will sue you for permitting and promoting a hostile work environment. If any student made those types of statements in a public forum, they would be brought in front of a disciplinary panel. If the statements were inciting anyone to violence, the police would get involved. Why is it different just because students can hide their identity?
I would encourage any student, teacher, or faculty member to sue their university if this type of threatening garbage happens to them. Sooner or later, schools will get the message and miraculously, changes will be made.
I would encourage any student, teacher, or faculty member to sue their university if this type of threatening garbage happens to them. Sooner or later, schools will get the message and miraculously, changes will be made.
14
Hostile work environment usually relates to an employer/employee relationship and situation, and done by people in a position to harm the career of subordinates. Rude students or customers don't fall into that same category.
The immediate reaction of some to sue, sue, sue for everything that offends them is ridiculous and has not made our society any better. Should the university also ban private speech in one's own home or between friends if they deem it offensive?
The immediate reaction of some to sue, sue, sue for everything that offends them is ridiculous and has not made our society any better. Should the university also ban private speech in one's own home or between friends if they deem it offensive?
3
Remember that line from the movie Field of Dreams? "If you build it, they will come." If you create a space for anonymous hatred, the trolls will flock. Knock Yik Yak down. First amendment, my foot!
132
Stop blaming Trolls. These messages are sent by nasty people.
1
The question is what is it about today's college students that makes it so easy for so many of them to be such vile and uncaring human beings? And why do these people want to go to college in the first place? I can't imagine that someone who is so cruel to other students and faculty actually cares very much about learning anything.
Having said that, I have to believe that part of the problem is the fact that these students grew up with trash-talking media that was almost as vile. So for them, this may be par for the course.
I don't believe in banning speech, but I do think that every college student should be taking a required course in ethics that includes segments about ethical behavior in social media and what constitutes ethical behavior in a corporation. (I think that should be taught in high school as well.)
Is it any wonder that students who treat each other this way "grow up" to become corporate executives (or college administrators) who care only about profits and the stock price and not about their employees or consumers?
Having said that, I have to believe that part of the problem is the fact that these students grew up with trash-talking media that was almost as vile. So for them, this may be par for the course.
I don't believe in banning speech, but I do think that every college student should be taking a required course in ethics that includes segments about ethical behavior in social media and what constitutes ethical behavior in a corporation. (I think that should be taught in high school as well.)
Is it any wonder that students who treat each other this way "grow up" to become corporate executives (or college administrators) who care only about profits and the stock price and not about their employees or consumers?
12
Colleges used to require Philosophy courses, whether Ethics or Critical Thinking, as part of basic GE. Then their boards made them slash those departments to nothing because it's an "antique" subject - useless for getting a job and of no benefit to modern society, you know.
5
We have taught students and young people that they can do and get away with pretty much anything they want. Rules are so hidebound and oppressive, right? We don't want to stifle their creativity and rights of self-expression, right? Too many are too self-aware, bristling at any perceived personal slight yet quite willing to be rude to others...the "it'a all about me" sort of thinking, demonstrated by adults as well, from rude loud cell phone talkers, people on airplanes and in stores, etc. Somehow we managed to have a civil society back in the day (and no, before someone tosses it out, that does not mean things were perfect by any means, yes, there were lots of problems, but public conduct and discourse were far nicer) that still progressed and developed without the rude free for all we see today.
4
I can't wait until Sequoia decides it's time to monetize this thing. Geolocation is like catnip to the big data outfits. Read up on supercookies, kids.
9
Social media is now a curse. Get off your devices and dare to talk to each other. We'll see how many people say the same thing when facing another person.
4
Yik Yak’s founders say their start-up is just experiencing some growing pains. “It’s definitely still a learning process for us,” said Mr. Buffington, “and we’re definitely still learning how to make the community more constructive.”
One more time, money rules in our capitalist society.
One more time, money rules in our capitalist society.
1
Dear Perfect Snowflakes:
In this country we have something called Freedom of Speech.
As long as someone isn't making a threat or causing a public panic, he or she is allowed to say whatever he wants about whomever or whatever.
People will occasionally say things you don't like. There are times when these things are about you. As an adult, you need to understand that just because someone says something, it is not necessarily true.
In this country we have something called Freedom of Speech.
As long as someone isn't making a threat or causing a public panic, he or she is allowed to say whatever he wants about whomever or whatever.
People will occasionally say things you don't like. There are times when these things are about you. As an adult, you need to understand that just because someone says something, it is not necessarily true.
4
"Disenfranchised." I do not think this means what you think it means.
8
Interesting to see how many people writing comments who oppose internet anonymity aren't using their full names here.
4
The difference is that the NYTimes carefully monitors the comments. You'll find no hate or personal attacks, here.
4
Not to be too contrarian, amydm3, but lots of times people are slammed in these comments for their opinions and thoughts - for example, we see speech or political positions disfavored by some commenters labeled as hate (with the tired old, "haters got to hate" nonsense) or accusing others of racism or sexism for any criticism of a political for any reason. Disparaging descriptions of "old white men" or "Christians" used as epithets are quite common. Thus, David Smith has a point!
2
I didn't attempt to compare the NYT comments pages with Yik Yak. As stated, I find it interesting that so many people who commented on this article and voiced opposition to internet anonymity choose to remain anonymous here. It's not my place to pass judgement on their decision, but I do find it interesting.
I had not heard of Furman University but of South Carolina, of course. The endless striving for Secession from reason marches on. Simple greed hiding behind the skirts of the Bill of Rights.
1
Yes, because no one from New York or Maryland would ever engage in such conduct, right? Uh huh...
2
"to empower the communities"! So the founders say. It appears that the only communities that have been empowered by Yik Yak are the communities of racists, the communities of anti-Semites, the communities of homophobes, the communities of misogynists, etc.
7
Be fair now, don't forget the venture capitalists, underwriters, brokers, and banksters.
How much would Yik Yak have paid for equal column-inches of advertising space? Front page (e-version at least) "Yik Yak is free" -- "Yik Yak popularity among college students" -- taking "smartphones by storm."
Who could resist trying?
Yuk Yak did well today.
Who could resist trying?
Yuk Yak did well today.
It is sickening to realize that people are naturally inclined to be cruel as long as they are not held accountable for their words and actions. It is sickening that these young men, funded by their parents, have created a product that capitalizes on such pointless cruelty. As an educator, I am disgusted by the way such an app can degrade campus culture. The way that students engaged in a conversation about their professors right in front of them-- using this app-- just demonstrates their inability to truly comprehend the humanity of others, let alone to recognize that their professors deserve a modicum of basic decency and respect.
265
Heidi should have 1000 "thumbs up" for what she wrote. Thank you for summing up the issue so simply.
Anyone remember Lord of the Flies?
Anyone remember Lord of the Flies?
1
Not to mention that they apparently are not paying attention to the professor or the material. So what the heck are they even doing in the that class?
“We made the app for college kids, but we quickly realized it was getting into the hands of high schoolers, and high schoolers were not mature enough to use it,” said Mr. Droll.
Appears others (i.e., college students) may not be mature enough to use it, too.
Appears others (i.e., college students) may not be mature enough to use it, too.
7
I have a couple of simple rules: 1) I don't do anything that I wouldn't go home and tell my wife about, and 2) I sign my work. I don't have any "social media" accounts because I find them to be anything but social. When I comment online, as here, I use my real name, and prefer moderated sites. Perhaps Tyler should change his name to Tyler Troll. Although there seems to be a certain irony in his name being Droll.
5
President Obama spoke eloquently of non-violent protest. Would this qualify: thousands of people posting abusive yaks about Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington, the founders of Yik Yak? That might get their attention. It might even inspire them to fix the problem.
2
If any part of the law is close to absolute, the 1st Amendment is. Short of suborning criminal activity or endangering public safety, attempting to limit free speech is wrongheaded and futile. If a minor speaks inappropriately, it's up to his parents to teach him manners; if they're not around, the school can throw him out on his ear, and the parents will find out the hard way. If it's an adult, try punching him in the nose. If it's anonymous, find out who it is if you can, and then punch him in the nose. Lock up the rabble rousers and let the courts sort it out, but leave free speech alone.
2
My local newspaper recently changed the comments policy from the usual kind, which is relatively anonymous if users want, to a system where a commenter has to register with an actual internet identity like a Facebook or Google Plus profile, including your profile picture. You can't even imagine how this changed the tone and nature of the comments and "discussions" that accompany the news reports. No more idiocy and vitriol, sniping etc. It's all constructive commentary and useful dialog, even among people who disagree strongly. Take away the anonymity, and Yik Yak's troubles will magically vanish too.
12
I oftentimes wonder, can't these app/platform developers that supports defamation of individuals be sued as accessories for defamation?? If not, why not? Of all the meddling that ACLU likes to do, why isn't ACLU doing something about this for the general public, in particular, for the female gender? If not, why not?
4
They (or their parents) are spending all that money on their educations, and this is how they're squandering it?
What a waste. Can't blame the app - it's just an app. These kids are very immature. We have raised a generation of young adults who act like middle school children.
What a waste. Can't blame the app - it's just an app. These kids are very immature. We have raised a generation of young adults who act like middle school children.
7
Technology was supposed to give us so much. We should have had bases on the moon by now, along with human footprints (or at least bootprints) on Mars. Nuclear fusion should have replaced filthy fission. A Manhattan Project for basic cellular research should have had us far advanced in the fight against cancer.
Instead we've wasted billions upon billions on tools to multiply our most base anti-social and self-absorbed tendencies.
What a shameful waste of time and money.
Instead we've wasted billions upon billions on tools to multiply our most base anti-social and self-absorbed tendencies.
What a shameful waste of time and money.
14
Yik Yak sounds like some of the teacher/Professor rating sites that specialize in anonymous comments and ratings of faculty. The difference is that the administration reads them, often encourages their existence and uses them covertly in personnel decisions. I have seen small cliques use such sites to take down a non-clique member. I am very happy to be a retired prof.
6
"When we made this app, we really made it for the disenfranchised.”
Minority speech can be down-voted off the app.
smh
Minority speech can be down-voted off the app.
smh
The more rapid and the more anonymous communication becomes, the less vetted it becomes as well.
To clarify somewhat: if you're writing a letter, you have ample time to contemplate phrasing and wording and prose. You can be sure to say what you mean, and you can be sure to NOT say what you don't want others to see. Make it an IM, and suddenly there is much less time to vet your thoughts - and as human beings, as ALL have thoughts that we know in our hearts we should keep to ourselves. Faster and faster, less and less thoughtful, you see where this leads...
What we're seeing is the reduction in the barriers that separate our thoughts from our expressions or our speech. Imagine a world where all your thoughts, the moment you have them, are shared with those around you. This is what we approach, albeit along a curve that results eventually in diminishing returns.
But there is no point crying about it, and frankly, attempts at censoring it (or launching DDOS attacks or Botting, as I've seen other suggest here) will inevitably fail. The laws of nature remain: adapt or die. And the simplest adaptation may just be to develop thicker skin. Ultimately, 99.99% of all posts in social media are just "fluff" and should be treated as such, no matter how much they annoy you. "Trolling" (being abrasive or incendiary or 'triggering' to provoke a response) is as old as mankind itself, and isn't going away anytime soon.
To clarify somewhat: if you're writing a letter, you have ample time to contemplate phrasing and wording and prose. You can be sure to say what you mean, and you can be sure to NOT say what you don't want others to see. Make it an IM, and suddenly there is much less time to vet your thoughts - and as human beings, as ALL have thoughts that we know in our hearts we should keep to ourselves. Faster and faster, less and less thoughtful, you see where this leads...
What we're seeing is the reduction in the barriers that separate our thoughts from our expressions or our speech. Imagine a world where all your thoughts, the moment you have them, are shared with those around you. This is what we approach, albeit along a curve that results eventually in diminishing returns.
But there is no point crying about it, and frankly, attempts at censoring it (or launching DDOS attacks or Botting, as I've seen other suggest here) will inevitably fail. The laws of nature remain: adapt or die. And the simplest adaptation may just be to develop thicker skin. Ultimately, 99.99% of all posts in social media are just "fluff" and should be treated as such, no matter how much they annoy you. "Trolling" (being abrasive or incendiary or 'triggering' to provoke a response) is as old as mankind itself, and isn't going away anytime soon.
Yik Yak founders Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington? You have got to be kidding. With names like these how could they be anything other than lowbrow scammers targeting the clueless.
5
When individuals start to trash each other on social media with no name attached it means one thing, they have nothing else to do and or not spending enough time studying. They're wasting their parents hard earned money. They are pathetic.
2
In order to bring accountability into the equation (the root cause of this issue), I believe one quick change by Yik Yak could help weed out this reported abuse of their product: public shaming. When a user flagrantly violates policy (e.g. hate speech, sexual misconduct), their cell and/or email--whatever they register with--becomes accessible on their profile. They can make this a core policy and plaster it throughout the app so as not to take anyone by surprise. While this may not ultimately deter those determined to raise hell, it will certainly give them pause.
3
According to press reports, the president of Smith College recently apologized for tweeting, "All lives matter." " 'I regret that I was unaware the phrase/hashtag "all lives matter" has been used by some to draw attention away from the focus on institutional violence against Black people,' " she reportedly wrote.
As obnoxious as some Yik Yak posts undoubtedly are, they might have at least one salutary effect: exposing cloistered liberal-arts-college students to some semblance of the real world and hardening them against its depredations.
I have the impression that many students at elite institutions, and their professors, self-criticize about their cisgendered privilege and self-monitor against "trigger warnings" and "microaggressions." Four years of living in such a bubble of mannered comportment can't be good for dealing with life's realities.
What happens after four years of this Japanese tea ceremony of speech and the starry-eyed idealist goes to law school and thereafter to work for the public defender's office? And then gets a case in which the defendant, who is obviously guilty, is charged with raping three women and killing one of them? How is she going to defend her client? Will she simply wilt and quit her job? Yik Yak might at least alert her that vile people exist, that evil exists, and that civilization is sometimes a thin skein over a bubbling stew of Hobbesian nastiness.
As obnoxious as some Yik Yak posts undoubtedly are, they might have at least one salutary effect: exposing cloistered liberal-arts-college students to some semblance of the real world and hardening them against its depredations.
I have the impression that many students at elite institutions, and their professors, self-criticize about their cisgendered privilege and self-monitor against "trigger warnings" and "microaggressions." Four years of living in such a bubble of mannered comportment can't be good for dealing with life's realities.
What happens after four years of this Japanese tea ceremony of speech and the starry-eyed idealist goes to law school and thereafter to work for the public defender's office? And then gets a case in which the defendant, who is obviously guilty, is charged with raping three women and killing one of them? How is she going to defend her client? Will she simply wilt and quit her job? Yik Yak might at least alert her that vile people exist, that evil exists, and that civilization is sometimes a thin skein over a bubbling stew of Hobbesian nastiness.
5
Except for its hyper local quality, how is this any different from Twitter? Anyone think Twitter is a force for the "disenfranchised"? If the developers truly wanted an app that empowered or gave a voice to the disenfranchised on campus, why do users require anonymity? What would be more valuable is an "app" that facilitated real communication between like minded people, who then work together to achieve common goals. That used to be what happened on college campuses. Digital communication is a wonderful thing, but not as a substitute for face to face, in person connection. But revealing yourself and your ideas in person, or by signing your name to a comment is risky. And that is as it should be. That's how ideas and friendships are tested. Hiding behind anonymity to say spiteful, hurtful, damaging things is many things. One thing it is not is an example of mature, valuable discourse. It's not empowering, it doesn't help the disenfranchised. Of course, it does make its developers rich. So I guess their education wasn't a complete waste. At least they'll be able to pay back their student loans.
3
I would be suprised if they had to take out loans.
2
A sad example of what some people do when they are given total freedom, here in the form of anonymous free speech. Given the choice to do good or evil, many will opt for evil - to hurt others. This is one reason why religion and its accompanying superstitions have been needed - the thought of some recompense for life's deeds in an afterlife exerts control over the believers, at least at times. Also, of course, this is the underlying reason for laws, police, etc. etc. In the '60's we were shocked by William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," a more extreme example of how many humans will run rampant when allowed to do evil without consequences. The Yik Yak problem is a petty form of hurting others but symbolizes much more. Besides Yik Yak, internet threads are just full of people who obviously enjoy being hurtful and cruel to others.
4
"The Yik Yak app is free."
How fortuitous! How useful!
Cruelty and profoundly destabilizing threats that don't cost the maker anything! Another cyber blessing! How does calling Yik Yuk "free" assess the costs to the victims?
How fortuitous! How useful!
Cruelty and profoundly destabilizing threats that don't cost the maker anything! Another cyber blessing! How does calling Yik Yuk "free" assess the costs to the victims?
7
Here's my philosophy: Anyone who uses Yik Yak is someone whose opinions do not matter to me. Therefore, anyone who would read something about me posted on Yik Yak is someone who is free to think about me what they will, as their opinion will have no bearing whatsoever on my life.
5
Ultimately, this app represents expression of our collective unconscious. All the dark matter that our "persona" as Jung would say, typically keeps a lid on. It seems our culture, increasingly fascinated by sociopathic behavior portrayed by media (Dexter, Sopranos, House of Cards, etc), is also acting it out (and has been for a while) through social media. I am in total agreement with the assessment of the abusive users as cowards and the founders of the company as simply intelligent capitalists who are fairly thoughtless in their design & implementation regarding the impact on communities. This seems to be par for the course for many companies in the 21st century however. Perhaps this expression of the darker parts of the unconscious (via this ridiculous app) could actually lead to a dialogue of our true individual and collective nature as a species and perhaps would lead to cultivating conscious awareness and dare I say love as opposed to spewing hate. Ultimately this hate, ignorance, intolerance comes from a place of deep insecurity and intolerance about the self. In fact, each abusive post could be understood simply as a projection as unwanted parts of the self, placed on to another human, institution, etc. My hope is that the users recognize this one way or another and begin the process of introspection, self-development,and ultimately, collective growth.
4
It's too bad one of the developers of this app bailed on starting med school so he could do this instead. It's also a pretty sad statement on how our kids are spending their time in college and how we are spending many thousands of dollars to send them there.
10
I wonder how many here have actually tried the app? I am far from an avid user, but I never saw any of what this article reports or what commenters suggest is frequent on the platform...
Who's the real "hater" now?
Who's the real "hater" now?
1
I had not heard of Yik Yak until I read this article. I gave the ap a shot and took a look around my neighborhood. Most of what I see on it so far is fairly juvenile. Some of it misogynist or racist. Now that I'm on, I can vote those down. There is, of course, opportunity to bring the level of the discourse up.
2
Yes, there are downsides to free speech. But, in general, the answer to "bad" speech is good speech, not banning speech.
True, one cannot falsely shout "fire" in a crowded theater. That's as it should be.
The fact is that on many college campuses, speech codes, in the name of political correctness, go too far; comments that most reasonable people would consider acceptable are banned as being “hurtful”; those who utter them are often subject to the wrath of disciplinary boards, which lean towards the PC end of the spectrum, and have the power to suspend or expel the “offender.” Make no mistake: today, free speech on campus isn’t what it used to be, or what it should be.
The Internet now provides tools to fill the void. And those tools can be used for good, or for the most vile forms of cyberbullying. And bullying of any variety can be seriously harmful to the victims.
Where to draw the line? From what the article describes, the guardians of Yik Yak seem to have built some protections into their system. It appears they will respond to subpoenas, which can be issued by lawyers in private lawsuits, as well as to court orders, search warrants, and legitimate requests from law enforcement. They will prevent use of the app in high schools.
Those who don’t want to risk being offended don’t have to use the app in the first place.
Yik Yak may need tweaking. It may come to be a responsible compromise. Free speech comes with a price, but it’s probably one worth paying.
True, one cannot falsely shout "fire" in a crowded theater. That's as it should be.
The fact is that on many college campuses, speech codes, in the name of political correctness, go too far; comments that most reasonable people would consider acceptable are banned as being “hurtful”; those who utter them are often subject to the wrath of disciplinary boards, which lean towards the PC end of the spectrum, and have the power to suspend or expel the “offender.” Make no mistake: today, free speech on campus isn’t what it used to be, or what it should be.
The Internet now provides tools to fill the void. And those tools can be used for good, or for the most vile forms of cyberbullying. And bullying of any variety can be seriously harmful to the victims.
Where to draw the line? From what the article describes, the guardians of Yik Yak seem to have built some protections into their system. It appears they will respond to subpoenas, which can be issued by lawyers in private lawsuits, as well as to court orders, search warrants, and legitimate requests from law enforcement. They will prevent use of the app in high schools.
Those who don’t want to risk being offended don’t have to use the app in the first place.
Yik Yak may need tweaking. It may come to be a responsible compromise. Free speech comes with a price, but it’s probably one worth paying.
2
For what Yik Yak does, the name should be changed to The Coward's Refuge.
5
Hopefully this app will fade into the sunset soon. If you are willing to say something about someone why not be brave enough to put your name to it? The cowardice displayed by anonymous posters through the cyber/social media universe is a window into the cesspools of our minds. Better to let those thoughts remain silent.
1
The market would seem ripe for a new app that floods Yik Yak with random snippets of the IRS Code, thereby rendering it too boring to read. Free speech, after all. Call it Yik Yak Attack.
13
When you profit from a product or service that can readily be used to debase people, you have some degree of moral responsibility for the product or service. In this case, the founders have a significant portion of the moral responsibility. Much of this was predictable when they went live with the product. To suggest other wise is narcissistic.
7
Excuse me, but don't we already have this service? It's the Youtube comment board. At least there the recipients of all that venom are also accorded anonymity.
2
How mean-spirited and vile! I don't have a "smart" phone or any App, nor do I watch any television. I do have Anton Chekhov and other civilized men who knew what being a human with heart, soul, and mind was truly meant to be. I recommend the full letter he wrote to his brother for all these Yik Yaks. How sorry I am for the future we are facing!
"Civilized people must, I believe, satisfy the following criteria:
1) They respect human beings as individuals and are therefore always tolerant, gentle, courteous and amenable
2) They have compassion for other people besides beggars and cats. Their hearts suffer the pain of what is hidden to the naked eye.
4) They are not devious, and they fear lies as they fear fire. They don't tell lies even in the most trivial matters. To lie to someone is to insult them, and the liar is diminished in the eyes of the person he lies to. Civilized people don't put on airs; they behave in the street as they would at home, they don't show off to impress their juniors.
8) They work at developing their aesthetic sensibility ... Civilized people don't simply obey their baser instincts ... they require mens sana in corpore sano.
And so on. That's what civilized people are like ... Reading Pickwick and learning a speech from Faust by heart is not enough if your aim is to become a truly civilized person and not to sink below the level of your surroundings.
[From a letter to Nikolay Chekhov, March 1886]”
― Anton Chekhov, A Life in Letters
"Civilized people must, I believe, satisfy the following criteria:
1) They respect human beings as individuals and are therefore always tolerant, gentle, courteous and amenable
2) They have compassion for other people besides beggars and cats. Their hearts suffer the pain of what is hidden to the naked eye.
4) They are not devious, and they fear lies as they fear fire. They don't tell lies even in the most trivial matters. To lie to someone is to insult them, and the liar is diminished in the eyes of the person he lies to. Civilized people don't put on airs; they behave in the street as they would at home, they don't show off to impress their juniors.
8) They work at developing their aesthetic sensibility ... Civilized people don't simply obey their baser instincts ... they require mens sana in corpore sano.
And so on. That's what civilized people are like ... Reading Pickwick and learning a speech from Faust by heart is not enough if your aim is to become a truly civilized person and not to sink below the level of your surroundings.
[From a letter to Nikolay Chekhov, March 1886]”
― Anton Chekhov, A Life in Letters
5
Why blame the internet? Television and movies have been filthy since the 1970s, radio worse, with everyone trying to be the most shockable nasty guy out there. Though the commercial entities do it for profit, and relish their bad reputations - because what is more important than money? - students do it because they've learned that no one cares what they think or how they behave, so long as they keep being consumers. This is one of the few things about which I agree with conservatives; enough! Enough smut, enough abuse and cruelty, enough violence, sarcasm, disregard and despair. Let our names be our virtue.
3
Digital anonymity is just like a Ku Klux Klan hood. Hatred thrives behind secrecy. Hoods should not be allowed on our streets or online. Let everyone declare their hate publically, and then deal with the social consequences.
22
Perhaps we should hold the company as liable as the poster for hate speech that appears on their forum and that they don't censor. This hands-off approach to social accountability is not working.
20
What a colossal waste of a family's hard earned money to pay for education.
21
That would be my concern. But should it be controlled? Middle and high school are one thing, but when you are at college you are not only not required to be there, you are in fact paying for the privilege of being there. If you choose to waste your time and money on this kind of thing, I think that's on you.
Not everything can be regulated, nor do we need it to be. This is one more instance where the very best advice would be: "Ignore it."
"Ignore it" works… today, tomorrow, and every day - about many things, and for the rest of your life. If you stick to that advice, your life will be better, you will be healthier, and you will be able to be the person you desire to be. Sixty years after being given that advice by each of my parents, separately, it still works for me, and others.
"Ignore it" works… today, tomorrow, and every day - about many things, and for the rest of your life. If you stick to that advice, your life will be better, you will be healthier, and you will be able to be the person you desire to be. Sixty years after being given that advice by each of my parents, separately, it still works for me, and others.
3
At my daughter's elite liberal arts college, Yik Yak was used most egregiously as a way for rich white male students to harass and intimidate others and thereby keep their power. Some people here are saying that it's a choice whether to subscribe. Yes, it is. My daughter didn't subscribe. She didn't even *own* a smart phone. But that didn't mean you didn't hear what people were saying. People cut and paste and send out posts. Or they discuss it. Once you hear things like, for instance, that there are posts that have white guys ranking black female students based on their looks - done not in an admiring tone but in a 'they're meat to be ranked' tone, using words like 'chocolate' to describe their skin, the worst of white frat obnoxiousness - my daughter began to wonder what the young men in her classes were *really* thinking. The classroom environment began to feel less safe.
The worst were the super obnoxious rich kid posts. For instance, posts like: "To the maintenance guy who wouldn't hold the door open for me: I have more money than you earn in an entire year."
Again, my daughter didn't have Yik Yak or a smart phone. But she saw this post - a friend shared it with her - & as a lower income student on a scholarship who already felt on the 'outside', it only made her feel even *more* of an outsider. It also made her feel even more invisible and discounted when the college failed to respond to any complaints.
The worst were the super obnoxious rich kid posts. For instance, posts like: "To the maintenance guy who wouldn't hold the door open for me: I have more money than you earn in an entire year."
Again, my daughter didn't have Yik Yak or a smart phone. But she saw this post - a friend shared it with her - & as a lower income student on a scholarship who already felt on the 'outside', it only made her feel even *more* of an outsider. It also made her feel even more invisible and discounted when the college failed to respond to any complaints.
54
I don't file a lawsuit every time Jezebel runs an article full of man-hating misandry. I make a choice not to read it. Or I call them out and spread awareness so others won't read it. The continuing efforts to censure free speech in the name of diversity, sensitivity, victims rights backfires when users leave the sheltered wombs where these apps are popular and realize that the world doesn't work like that.
3
Behold a new element in that fruitful, fulfilling on-campus experience extolled by its defenders, also determined denigrators of "MOOCs" and other forms of online education.
They do have a point, of sorts. MOOCs are bad because they're designed to be bad; designed to fail. Made to be even more boring than traditional university education is: worse than cramming 300-500 sleepy undergraduates into an overheated lecture hall at 9 AM and forcing them to endure a two hour long monologue twice a week; even more boring than that, if such a thing is remotely possible. Between such drubbings those same undergraduates who must endure that form of torture torment each other with these newfangled gadgets, malicious toys, wherever they might be: in their dorm rooms, their greasy spoon dining commons and the main library -- that ultimate sanctuary.
The long arm of leering juvenile stupidity reaches out and touches them wherever they might be, anywhere. No place is sacred or safe, and the lies and slanders told linger long after they're deleted from the screen.
What a wonderful experience, on-campus "education life", to wish upon your son or daughter, or anyones.
They do have a point, of sorts. MOOCs are bad because they're designed to be bad; designed to fail. Made to be even more boring than traditional university education is: worse than cramming 300-500 sleepy undergraduates into an overheated lecture hall at 9 AM and forcing them to endure a two hour long monologue twice a week; even more boring than that, if such a thing is remotely possible. Between such drubbings those same undergraduates who must endure that form of torture torment each other with these newfangled gadgets, malicious toys, wherever they might be: in their dorm rooms, their greasy spoon dining commons and the main library -- that ultimate sanctuary.
The long arm of leering juvenile stupidity reaches out and touches them wherever they might be, anywhere. No place is sacred or safe, and the lies and slanders told linger long after they're deleted from the screen.
What a wonderful experience, on-campus "education life", to wish upon your son or daughter, or anyones.
2
So, are these the young people who are going deep into debt to get a near worthless degree? Is this what they are doing with their time?
5
Students have gossiped about each other and the teachers forever. If Jordan Seman knew how many sexual references about her were made or worse yet thought by her fellow students since middle school her list of complaints would fill her phones memory. I suspect some of the people in the background of the photo where actually talking about her behind her proverbial back. The same way she speaks with her friends about other people at the school when they are not there. (Yes, your friends talk about you.)
The only thing possibly important on Yik Yak is right now. Let last years Yaks go.
The only thing possibly important on Yik Yak is right now. Let last years Yaks go.
4
Onwards and upwards with our hate-filled society. And burrowing inwards to
"it' s not my problem" Wonderful world to hand over to the next generation.
"it' s not my problem" Wonderful world to hand over to the next generation.
As a college student that uses Yik Yak I have seen sexually explicit comments and other derogatory things on Yik Yak. These comments are among the vast minority of posts and are usually quickly down voted and erased. I feel that most of the comments that are popular are the ones that relate to myself as a college student not the ones that are cruel to one group or person.
1
As a college student who uses Yik Yak a lot: This article shows a deep misunderstanding of the issues it purports to be explaining. It blames racism and offensive yaks on the app, which is ludicrous.
At my college, those kinds of yaks get downvoted extremely quickly, and there aren't very many of them in the first place, which is a testament to the strength of our community. If racist or offensive yaks are being upvoted, it doesn't reflect badly on the app, it reflects badly on the student community at that college. How about instead of blaming this stuff on a simple app, you try and understand why kids are being racist and offensive?
The colleges are equally to blame, because at least from this article, they show a complete inability to understand that it is they're job to teach people not to be racist and offensive, and that if Yik Yak has many yaks that have those qualities, they are the ones who have failed, not the people who made the app.
At my college, those kinds of yaks get downvoted extremely quickly, and there aren't very many of them in the first place, which is a testament to the strength of our community. If racist or offensive yaks are being upvoted, it doesn't reflect badly on the app, it reflects badly on the student community at that college. How about instead of blaming this stuff on a simple app, you try and understand why kids are being racist and offensive?
The colleges are equally to blame, because at least from this article, they show a complete inability to understand that it is they're job to teach people not to be racist and offensive, and that if Yik Yak has many yaks that have those qualities, they are the ones who have failed, not the people who made the app.
91
Bravo. This whole approach sounds like a techie version of "the devil made me do it", right?
1
I still misunderstand. why is anonymity so important to the app?
2
Clearly your college is more swell than Michigan State where five downvotes
weren't gathered quickly enough to disapprove of an anonymous threat of gun violence on Yik Yuk and a subsequent arrest. We'd agree, surely, they guy
who made the threat should be held to account and not Smith & Wesson but still, do you give Smith & Wesson a pass like you seem to give Yik Yuk?
weren't gathered quickly enough to disapprove of an anonymous threat of gun violence on Yik Yuk and a subsequent arrest. We'd agree, surely, they guy
who made the threat should be held to account and not Smith & Wesson but still, do you give Smith & Wesson a pass like you seem to give Yik Yuk?
1
Legislation is required to force social media organizations like Yik Yak to monitor communications and immediately remove posts that demean people. Twitter has a good record of doing that. However, it appears that Yik Yak is willing to sacrifice someone's reputation and self-worth, by profiting from cowards who need anonymity to take their cheap shots.
I read the 'terms and conditions' section of Yik Yak; apparently, "unauthorized activities" include posts that "defame, abuse, harass..." other individuals. Yet, the demeaning remarks brought to attention in this article prove that there is no oversight.
There is very little the law can do to reign in on cowards who use anonymity to attack others. But the law can and must hold platforms like Yik Yak legally accountable for allowing anonymous cowards defame one's character.
I read the 'terms and conditions' section of Yik Yak; apparently, "unauthorized activities" include posts that "defame, abuse, harass..." other individuals. Yet, the demeaning remarks brought to attention in this article prove that there is no oversight.
There is very little the law can do to reign in on cowards who use anonymity to attack others. But the law can and must hold platforms like Yik Yak legally accountable for allowing anonymous cowards defame one's character.
5
The once future Dr. Droll would have done well to stick with medical school.
3
On the other hand, I say, "Thank God he did not become a doctor" since his over-riding value is making money. We already have enough of those.
2
A popular app might deliver anonymous abuse, work as a conduit for criminal activity, and provide for the basest emotions and bullying. Maybe, just maybe, that is unavoidable in a society that cherishes freedom.
What is certainly not OK, under any guise, is to create a bustling empire of profit based on such an app. Hence, when abuse and extortion, besmirching and insults occur, let's us make Yik Yak, clearly an enabler and abettor, responsible for civil and criminal charges.
Perhaps a distributed open source equivalent will be created at some point, but profit --via profiling and mining these social networks, and by providing a false sense of anonymity subject to the capriciousness of a corporate entity-- would not occur.
What is certainly not OK, under any guise, is to create a bustling empire of profit based on such an app. Hence, when abuse and extortion, besmirching and insults occur, let's us make Yik Yak, clearly an enabler and abettor, responsible for civil and criminal charges.
Perhaps a distributed open source equivalent will be created at some point, but profit --via profiling and mining these social networks, and by providing a false sense of anonymity subject to the capriciousness of a corporate entity-- would not occur.
4
“In December, a group of 50 professors at Colgate University […] tried a different approach, flooding the app with positive posts.”
Now that would be a way to make this channel inoffensive, thus no longer interesting to the simpletons who like it so much. Perhaps write an app to flood it with inane literature?
Now that would be a way to make this channel inoffensive, thus no longer interesting to the simpletons who like it so much. Perhaps write an app to flood it with inane literature?
4
According to the article, Jim Goetz, a partner at Sequoia Capital who recently joined Yik Yak’s board, feels that over time, the constructive voices will overwhelm the destructive ones.
Such wishful thinking is not rooted at all in the reality of what has happened with anonymous forums on the Internet over the last twenty years.
Like Yik Yak or not, it's hardly likely that the level of the "conversation" there will improve over time.
Such wishful thinking is not rooted at all in the reality of what has happened with anonymous forums on the Internet over the last twenty years.
Like Yik Yak or not, it's hardly likely that the level of the "conversation" there will improve over time.
9
What will happen when students with behavior and attitudes like these enter the workplace?
6
They've been there for decades, at the top. Those Venture Capital investors, for instance.
4
A post on Yik Yak is not anonymous to their IT and law enforcement, when requested.
An Internet post is only anonymous until someone hacks into the site. How foolish it is for anyone to think otherwise.
An Internet post is only anonymous until someone hacks into the site. How foolish it is for anyone to think otherwise.
4
What an extremely sad commentary on our society that people gravitate quickly to any means that allow anonymous activities whose core is vicious attacks and threats. Why is there such a thrill in spending time writing AND reading such tripe? Even school age kids exhibit this behavior. When do we look at ourselves and ask WHY hatred and cruelty trump kindness and civility, especially in a country which is less secular than almost anywhere else in the world.
7
" a lecture in post-apocalyptic culture"???? That says a lot about the professors, students, and general level of education. What else do they teach? Zombie social studies?
3
"Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me."
Free speech should not protect anyone's right to say: "It's a learning process."
3
But it's a window on the soul. It show US who we really are. I was bullied badly in High School both physically and emotionally. I too was born in the 70's and grew up in the 80's and 90's and this proves to me that nothing has changed. In fact, it has probably become worse. That said, perhaps like priest pedophiles, the best disinfectant is sunlight. I think it should be allowed in High Schools (everywhere in fact) so everyone can see exactly who we are (as a people) what we really think and where we come from. Suppressing the speech will only lead to it going to some other app without the care of $$$ silicon valley investment (e.g. some Russian hacker will release a limits free version) and your evil children will use that. The more important question isn't cyberbullying or apps or free speech, no it's much more fundamental ... that question(s) is: What's wrong with you people! ... why do you produce such sick children, why are you so full of hate and why do you enjoy hurting other human beings?
6
Watching old family shows on television, one often hears a a high school student referring to his/her civics class. I'm 54 years old and by the time I reached high school, civics has already been abolished. If our children don't learn the difference between right and wrong, and the value of the collective good, as part of their formal education, well, we reap what we sow.
26
I guess that's a state thing. I am also 54. I grew up in Mississippi, and in the public schools we were required to take civics. (I will head off any cynical comments about what civics could have been like in Mississippi to mention that during that class we had to watch such shows as "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman".)
1
Civics has not been abolished. Not sure what you're talking about.
The founder's rationale--to offer a platform for the "disenfranchised"--is disingenous. The same goal could have been achieved by creating a non-anonymous service. These guys are getting rich pandering to the kinds of creeps who scrawl messages on the inside of men's room's stalls, and it is ridiculous to suggest a nobler purpose. Happily, on my campus, Yik Yak appears to have fallen as quickly as it rose, and is now the domain of just a handful of sad characters, while the majority of students have moved on.
23
No one is asking why, in this day and age, when kids are so much more socially aware and educated consistently in diversity, sensitivity and tolerance for others, why they still feel the need to be so offensive? Of course, they would never say these things to someone's face and anonymity shields them to a certain extent (Yik Yak will release identities if the comments rise to a certain threat level). However, why, with all the conscious education of this generation, in particular, in school and the media, does this kind of speech still find a fervent outlet?
Human nature? Backlash?
There will always be a new Yik Yak. Freedom of speech is like water. It will always find some outlet even under authoritarianism. The question is why does freedom of speech always get the bad with the good? Is it just unavoidable?
Human nature? Backlash?
There will always be a new Yik Yak. Freedom of speech is like water. It will always find some outlet even under authoritarianism. The question is why does freedom of speech always get the bad with the good? Is it just unavoidable?
57
umm, it's because they're kids. Kids do stupid stuff, they just do. Expecting different behavior is silly.
1
The right to "freedom of speech" covers a wide umbrella that allows major social entities (government, the media, Internet) to include as well as exclude or re-align public information according to their best interests, something that is being done daily. Big Brother is still carving out the larger messages in our society while contaminating the air we breathe and cheer-leading for "freedom of speech". Yik Yak users are the children of our hypocritical society that promotes one-upmanship as a way of life. Yik Yak is us if we are honest.
So you really do believe that by being more socially aware is in itself something that brings with it sensitivity and tolerance for others?
Obviously, as this article reveals, that one thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other; no matter how much those who come up with these stupid tools for indulging in mean-spiritedness, would like to deceive themselves as well as others in believing they do, because making a buck off the app is what the creator of Yik-Yak really cares only about.
Obviously, as this article reveals, that one thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other; no matter how much those who come up with these stupid tools for indulging in mean-spiritedness, would like to deceive themselves as well as others in believing they do, because making a buck off the app is what the creator of Yik-Yak really cares only about.
Campuses are much uglier, less productive places than they were fifteen years ago. Not just Yik Yak but also sites like Rate My Professor have made colleges and universities hostile work and learning environments for racial and ethnic minorities and women. I think it's past time for a class-action lawsuit by organizations like the American Association of University Women and the Anti-Defamation League to bring an end to these anonymous but incredibly damaging threats against real academic freedom and free speech.
54
As a professor at a Big Ten university (guess which one?) I've been on the receiving end of some very unflattering Rate My Professor evaluations.... but so what? If my feelings are so fragile that an undergraduate can destroy my self-esteem, then I'm probably in the wrong occupation anyway. This idea that we can eliminate "evil" by simply forbidding its expression is ludicrous. Kids will find a way to make their feelings known. I'd rather that they trash me online than slash my tires in the parking garage.
1
Sorry, but just perhaps many of us would feel uncomfortable with what you decide constitutes "real" freedom of speech. That's how you get facism
1
"He recognized that this would not stop his fellow students from using the app"
And this is the crux of the problem. I'm convinced that using stuff like YikYak and Facebook triggers some kind of chemical reaction in the minds of users, so they can't stop (and actually, this extends to uploading comments on threads like this one). Social media entrepreneurs are far closer to being like drug dealers than they would care to admit. But like the drug dealers, I'll admit they are not fully responsible. College students are adults, and a big aspect of being an adult is realizing when and by whom you are viewed as being a sucker.
And just as a smart drug dealer will never consume his/her own product (did the British ever join their Chinese customers in the opium dens of Shanghai? No, I doubt they ever did), and just as an investment banker will never use the credit cards that his/her company peddles nonstop to the public in the form of spam e-mail and junk snail mail, pretty soon it will be generally understood that smart social media company founders never, ever waste their time online "eating their own dog food."
And this is the crux of the problem. I'm convinced that using stuff like YikYak and Facebook triggers some kind of chemical reaction in the minds of users, so they can't stop (and actually, this extends to uploading comments on threads like this one). Social media entrepreneurs are far closer to being like drug dealers than they would care to admit. But like the drug dealers, I'll admit they are not fully responsible. College students are adults, and a big aspect of being an adult is realizing when and by whom you are viewed as being a sucker.
And just as a smart drug dealer will never consume his/her own product (did the British ever join their Chinese customers in the opium dens of Shanghai? No, I doubt they ever did), and just as an investment banker will never use the credit cards that his/her company peddles nonstop to the public in the form of spam e-mail and junk snail mail, pretty soon it will be generally understood that smart social media company founders never, ever waste their time online "eating their own dog food."
10
Are Yik Yak's founders really so naive as to truly believe that "over time, the constructive voices would overwhelm the destructive ones"? Hardly likely. On website after website where anonymous commenting is allowed and where there's no objective moderator to ensure civility, the trolls inevitably dominate. Yik Yak's founders surely know this. This is really about building a user base and, they're hoping, earning a profit by providing a platform specifically for trolls which amplifies their destructiveness. Put simply, Yik Yak's business model is to leverage hurtful vileness. Shameful.
60
Is reading it mandatory then?
FYI: I have learned to beware of any comment containing the word 'hurtful', as this has become the buzzword for censorship...book banning and burning to follow.
FYI: I have learned to beware of any comment containing the word 'hurtful', as this has become the buzzword for censorship...book banning and burning to follow.
1
Real people have face to face interactions, satisfying their human contact needs, and don't need these anonymous sites to feel someone is listening to them. That is why the trolls run and ruin anonymous unmoderated sites; no one listens to them face to face. Neglect is not just physical.
1
I hope college instructors offer some guidance to students for disregarding crude anonymous postings and developing a sense of perspective. Did someone miss a teachable moment? There's Yik Yak and there's Selma. Proportion is handy in math and relationships.
4
The problem is that anonymous, online apps like YikYak take away all the negative ramifications of acting like a jerk and amplify all the positive ramifications. People are not naturally nice; we learn to be nice because we see and experience society's reactions when people are not nice.
Just because an app like YikYak can be made does not make it a good or useful idea.
Just because an app like YikYak can be made does not make it a good or useful idea.
36
I'm not sure what you would consider the "positive" ramifications. A (typically low self-esteem) college student who says something outrageous out loud may get an immediate reaction from the group around him that gives him a good feeling about himself (probably mistaking it for courage). However, doing so anonymously does nothing to satisfy that craving for attention.
I also disagree with your opinion that people are not "naturally nice." You are right that society's reactions help us all to discern what is "civil." However, while the large amount of crude anonymous commentary we see on-line and in social media is shocking, I think it represents a relatively small portion of the population. It is also clearly an outlet for frustrated people who are trying to feel relevant, as most arbitrary insults are more an expression of self-doubt than anything else. They are probably decent folks who just need to learn how to handle their own frustrations.
As time goes on, more people are recognizing that anonymous negative comments say much more about the author than the target. And while I would prefer that everyone was accountable for what they say or type, I believe that anonymous vitriole is losing its shock value and will therefore become perceived as rather boring in the near future.
I also disagree with your opinion that people are not "naturally nice." You are right that society's reactions help us all to discern what is "civil." However, while the large amount of crude anonymous commentary we see on-line and in social media is shocking, I think it represents a relatively small portion of the population. It is also clearly an outlet for frustrated people who are trying to feel relevant, as most arbitrary insults are more an expression of self-doubt than anything else. They are probably decent folks who just need to learn how to handle their own frustrations.
As time goes on, more people are recognizing that anonymous negative comments say much more about the author than the target. And while I would prefer that everyone was accountable for what they say or type, I believe that anonymous vitriole is losing its shock value and will therefore become perceived as rather boring in the near future.
Yet another crappy "social app". We educators have been dealing with this nonsense since the 90s when AOL Instant Messenger first hit the scene. In those days of "beepers" and so-called "IM-ing", few of us dreamt of a social media era where high tech "slambooks" (essentially the genesis of Facebook) would prey on the "darkside" of our narcissistic tendencies and invade our culture in such an insidious manner.
22
One thing that would have been worth mentioning in this article is that, beyong voting on yaks, users of the app can also report yaks for containing offensive content, targeting someone, being spam, or "other". As for how Yik Yak repsonds to these reports, I'm not sure. I'm almost certain they don't have the manpower to look into each report specifically. This process would have been an interesting and relevant to bring up in the interviews with Messrs Droll and Buffington.
As for my experience with the app in the area of a large state school, I've actually seen very little content objectionable on the level of the examples in this article. At any given time, theres usually a few genuinely funny Yaks, with most of the feed being filled with banal musings or complaints and sexual yearnings. In general, it's practical uses are to get a feel for the "vibe" of a campus or area, and, I suppose, mild bemusement.
As for my experience with the app in the area of a large state school, I've actually seen very little content objectionable on the level of the examples in this article. At any given time, theres usually a few genuinely funny Yaks, with most of the feed being filled with banal musings or complaints and sexual yearnings. In general, it's practical uses are to get a feel for the "vibe" of a campus or area, and, I suppose, mild bemusement.
6
I think I would fight this with technology. I would hire programmers to build a formidable YakBot machine which would run numerous instances of virtualized Android devices and create a pool of hundreds of YikYak presences, all with continually changing MAC addresses, IP addresses and spoofed GPS locations. I would then have these bots continually post comments designed to influence the Yak environment. They would also downvote negative comments. It's really time for the Internet to seriously go away.
26
The internet isn't going away, but you can go away from it.
Note to founder: re-enroll in med school and try to redeem yourself.
53
Everyone in "tech" appears to be a sociopath so this "creator" of this, at best, "angry birds" class app sans social utility, probably did his prospective patients a favor be opting out of med school.
2
Re-enroll? Never let this lad near a patient.
2
Note to med school: do not admit individuals who have shown such a complete lack of ethics.
Frankly, would you really want such fellows to be your doctor?
Frankly, would you really want such fellows to be your doctor?
2
I frequent a blog that uses upvotes and downvotes to "police" the community, but those really don't work. Who cares if they've been downvoted, especially if they're intent on spewing negative rhetoric? The site does have a moderator who ends up removing posts that are hateful or inflammatory. The moderators differ in what they allow, but the system works for the most part and generally offensive content, like racist and sexist remarks or hateful comments towards each other, is removed. I also can email the moderators and point something out in a thread that they may have missed. They may or may not remove it, but at least I feel like someone with the responsibility of keeping the site free of offensive content is paying attention.
6
That works and is similar to our comments here being approved.
But it costs money (a person) and that is not practical for the Yik-Yak product given the number of users.
Looks like they are at least trying to automate that kind of moderating.
Good luck with that.
Might not help the girl who got posted she looked like a hippo.
But it costs money (a person) and that is not practical for the Yik-Yak product given the number of users.
Looks like they are at least trying to automate that kind of moderating.
Good luck with that.
Might not help the girl who got posted she looked like a hippo.
A way to not have to pay a monitor, but have some sort of community policing, would be to put some controls into the app. Let down votes have consequences. Screen blackouts would probably drive posters crazy because when they post hateful content, they want to see the reaction they get. If the reaction is to cut them out of the loop, they'll stop.
1
So one of the creators left medical school, where he may have eventually made valuable contributions to his fellow human beings, to pursue this venture (where he will make more money than he ever would have as a physician); disruptive technology indeed.
22
I sense he may have turned out to be one of those physicians who value profit over their patients' well-being. There are a number of them out there.
3
Technology enables, it does not create.
13
Absolutely. But why enable speech like this?
1
Patriotism - and now internet anonymity - is the last refuge of scoundrels.
165
Anonymous and patriotism? The first thing I thought of was Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay anonymously writing the Federalist Papers. Being able to say free from threat what everyone is thinking has the power to topple kings, which is why anonymous speech is hated by authoritarians.
4
Are you comparing calling someone a "hippo" to the The Federalist Papers?
26
The freedom of speech enshrined in our Constitution is about freedom of speaking against the government. Definitely, freedom of speech is not about allowing someone to make anonymous threats against other people.
57
Wrong.
Astounding how many people do not understand the First Amendment, but then people take the First Amendment to mean that religions should receive special treatment, so this is hardly surprising.
There are very few limits to free speech as far as the government's right to restrict it goes, which has nothing to do with specifically 'speaking against the government'.
Astounding how many people do not understand the First Amendment, but then people take the First Amendment to mean that religions should receive special treatment, so this is hardly surprising.
There are very few limits to free speech as far as the government's right to restrict it goes, which has nothing to do with specifically 'speaking against the government'.
If you post something about an abusive company, a government bureaucrat, a politician, the police, anyone powerful and influential, anonymity makes sense because revenge is a problem.
But if you attack a regular person, and you hide, you are cowardly abuse.
If you can stand up and put your name behind what you say, congratulations: you have honor and integrity. And you are engaging in free speech.
But if you hide and hate on a regular person, you are not indulging in free speech (if you were free, you'd be happy to use your name): you are indulging in antisocial hate.
Speech against a specific regular person is only free if you use your name. If it is anonymous, it is cowardly abuse, it is not "free" speech. If you have to hide your name to speak against a regular person, YOU are the abuse of power: poisoning the social commons and hurting someone for some selfish shallow cowardly personality disorder.
But if you attack a regular person, and you hide, you are cowardly abuse.
If you can stand up and put your name behind what you say, congratulations: you have honor and integrity. And you are engaging in free speech.
But if you hide and hate on a regular person, you are not indulging in free speech (if you were free, you'd be happy to use your name): you are indulging in antisocial hate.
Speech against a specific regular person is only free if you use your name. If it is anonymous, it is cowardly abuse, it is not "free" speech. If you have to hide your name to speak against a regular person, YOU are the abuse of power: poisoning the social commons and hurting someone for some selfish shallow cowardly personality disorder.
111
It's not quite so simple.
There is a gray zone in everything. A bureaucrat, policeman or politician are also "regular" people. There must be a way to shield them from unjustifiable or unverifiable attacks. What we need is a public watchdog office where you not simply submit your grievance through an online form, but where you go in person after submitting your claim to personally verify it.
There must be hurdles and a certain degree of inconvenience involved, otherwise this is just too easy. Likewise, the accused must have a way to respond before posting a claim online for the world to see. There are always two sides to a coin. Ultimately, an arbitration panel consisting of ordinary citizens should decide what gets published and what not, with a possibility of appealing that decision outside the regular legal system.
There is a gray zone in everything. A bureaucrat, policeman or politician are also "regular" people. There must be a way to shield them from unjustifiable or unverifiable attacks. What we need is a public watchdog office where you not simply submit your grievance through an online form, but where you go in person after submitting your claim to personally verify it.
There must be hurdles and a certain degree of inconvenience involved, otherwise this is just too easy. Likewise, the accused must have a way to respond before posting a claim online for the world to see. There are always two sides to a coin. Ultimately, an arbitration panel consisting of ordinary citizens should decide what gets published and what not, with a possibility of appealing that decision outside the regular legal system.
Good point; I'm not sure the founding fathers ever encountered a time when the author of speech could not be deciphered at all. Even anonymous letters leave clues.
Incorrect on every level including, most importantly, the legal level.
Mr. Droll might better serve his fellow humans as the doctor he planned to become, healing rather than providing and profiting from a means by which others cause harm.
90
And in the absence of that accountability wouldn't the legal responsibility for libelous posts revert to Yik Yak?
It's not clear to me why freedom of speech should be anonymous. Freedom of speech is not the same as "whistleblowing," where a real case can be made that the whistleblower is at risk if his/her identity is exposed. In most cases, however, if someone has an opinion to state then he/she should also be required to stand by that opinion.
128
Because free speech cuts both ways. Although someone who stands up against the abuse described here is not a "whistleblower" in the classic sense, entitled to legal protections, he or she is at risk for becoming a target. That's exactly what happened to Max Zoberman. If he had posted about Yik Yak anonymously, I would still support his right to free speech. Wouldn't you?
Or go back to the old, yried-and-true method of just passing paper notes in class.
This has little to do with anonymity. It is about discovery. All speech is anonymous until you hear people saying stuff.
Yik Yak and other anonymous communication tools just make speech that happens anyway visible to people who wouldn't normally be privy to it.
It boils down to this: Should we regulate the private conversations of hateful people, or does hate speech only become problematic because others hear it?
Yik Yak and other anonymous communication tools just make speech that happens anyway visible to people who wouldn't normally be privy to it.
It boils down to this: Should we regulate the private conversations of hateful people, or does hate speech only become problematic because others hear it?
A few thoughts:
- Sequoia Capital, thy name is mud.
- I thought schools were s'posed to be "in loco parentis".
- The frontal cortex doesn't mature 'til the mid-twenties, if then.
- Like the Implicit Association Test, this is a mirror of how we're really feeling.
- My fellow Americans, I think we're getting less exceptional everyday.
- It's not "funny".
- Sequoia Capital, thy name is mud.
- I thought schools were s'posed to be "in loco parentis".
- The frontal cortex doesn't mature 'til the mid-twenties, if then.
- Like the Implicit Association Test, this is a mirror of how we're really feeling.
- My fellow Americans, I think we're getting less exceptional everyday.
- It's not "funny".
131
Schools are not in loco parentis. College students are legally adults.
1
In Loco Parentis ended a long time ago. For better or worse is up for debate in today's higher education culture...
College and universities stopped operating "in loco parentis" decades ago. It is unfortunate that this happened, as things have gone downhill since then. That lack of frontal cortex maturity is a MAJOR problem on all college campuses.
1
As someone who works in the field of software development, I believe that the makers of this app are ethically at fault for creating a form of social media which is designed, by it's nature, to be abused. Just because I can build it, or make money off it doesn't mean it should exist. "Empower the communities" is not the same as creating tools for inciting virtual mobs against a person who cannot defend themselves against anonymous slander.
639
I agree, but if it can make money someone will do it.
Where there is demand, supply will follow if it is profitable.
Where there is demand, supply will follow if it is profitable.
Greed will also trump ethics in our new Capitalist paradise.
2
As a lifelong serial entrepreneur and angel investor, I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, most VCs focus on a single thing - making money. A very large percentage of their investments provide minimal societal benefit. Anonymous comment networks are just the latest in a long line of questionable start-ups. That said, these types of "social" apps often have a very short shelf life. I expect Yik Yak and its ilk to disappear or become irrelevant in the near future as the next flavor of the month social app genre for teens and college students catches on.
30
Yik Yak sounds like an app designed for immature and cowardly people who have poor coping skills and who are not very good at conflict resolution. Anonymous comments on the Internet are for people who are "walking away tough," ones who are "brave" only when there is no possibility of repercussions. It is a reflection on our society, not really this app. It is right up there with comments scrawled on the restroom stall wall. No different, in my view.
22
'...It is right up there with comments scrawled on the restroom stall wall. No different, in my view...'
And yet protected speech.
And yet protected speech.
Not quite, NM.
Cowards all. Yuk Yak should ask would-be posters if they would post same "yak" if their name were attached. I believe their business model would dissolve instantly.
26
When the public starts calling for restrictions in online speech, I am reminded of recent events in China. Chai Jing, a journalist, made a documentary describing China's air pollution and it's consequences. After 100 million views, the Chinese government blocked further distribution of the 100 minute video. I'm sure their reason was the usual "social stability". The consequence is that millions of Chinese will never know the dangers they and their children face from air pollution, nor will they pressure their government for environmental improvements.
If one is a supporter of Edward Snowden, then one must realize many of his data dumps to the internet describing the illegal, warrantless surveillance of Americans would not have been possible unless unrestricted online anonymity was possible.
And, there are many instances in the media, where corruption and fraud have been disclosed anonymously, over the internet.
We must weigh very carefully any restrictions in online speech against the benefits of such speech.
If one is a supporter of Edward Snowden, then one must realize many of his data dumps to the internet describing the illegal, warrantless surveillance of Americans would not have been possible unless unrestricted online anonymity was possible.
And, there are many instances in the media, where corruption and fraud have been disclosed anonymously, over the internet.
We must weigh very carefully any restrictions in online speech against the benefits of such speech.
10
I love the last quote, "....we're definitely still learning how to make the community more constructive." The app was never intended to help create a community or to be constructive. It was purpose-built to ensure anonymity for anyone who wanted to "say" anything in order to level set some perceived class- or achievement-based social hierarchy. It's really simple, guys (and I hope your parents are reading these comments as well since they seem not to acknowledge your continued adolescence): you made a bad thing just because you could. Time to shut it down. And make your millions elsewhere.
71
I believe that, at heart, everyone is a tyrant and that there is a huge amount of latent hate everywhere. The fact that every time that there is an anonymous app haters use it first just about confirms this.
10
Yik Yak doesn't prove that everyone is a tyrant: it proves that despicable people can make immense amounts of money by deliberately enabling the subset who are.
1
We live in insecure times in insecure ways. The reach of media, and the fact that fear sells and security doesn't, amplifies the insecurity of the population. Fear breeds all of these other behaviors. Hating others is a substitute, and a poor one, for having accomplishments to feel good about.
1
A word other than "community" should be used when referring to people who band together while remaining anonymous in order to attack another person. I suggest "mob."
147
Owning and using an iPhone is optional. I do not own one. The problems they have created seem to outweigh the benefits. All of which is to say, if the thing bothers you, get rid of it. That's a freedom too.
8
I recently bought a Windows "smart phone" for $35 at Wal-Mart, which is technologically interesting, but of no real special utility than a cell phone--I used the wifi function for email in Latin America but the slavish worship of the "next IPhone" and the over-the -top introduction by Jobs et al. can't be serious?
Whether or not someone owns a smart phone has zero impact on whether or not they become the target of an anonymous mob of internet posters.
Reading the sophomoric posts on Yik Yak are optional too.
The solution is simple and appears in another Times article today about algorithms that write news stories. Simply create an algorithm that floods Yik Yak with hundreds or thousands of posts an hour. Yik Yak users will experience Yik Yak overload and move on to the next time waster. Writing such an app well would be a worthy challenge to computer programming majors and they would be doing their school a favor.
63
If I had the skill to do this, I'd get up and start working on it now.
Great idea!
Should we blame the vehicle (YikYak) or the driver (the individuals posting on YikYak)?
The racist, misogynist, rude, mean, and shallow people making these comments on YikYak are a reflection and result of today's society, morals, decency (or lack thereof), and upbringing and are the bigger and pressing story, in my opinion.
The racist, misogynist, rude, mean, and shallow people making these comments on YikYak are a reflection and result of today's society, morals, decency (or lack thereof), and upbringing and are the bigger and pressing story, in my opinion.
143
Raise the bar. Download, vote, reply, comment.
Here we go again. This is nothing that hasn't been going on for thousands of years. Only the format is new. People have been saying derogatory things about other people and groups of people since time immemorial. There was not some magical period during your childhood where everyone had good manners.
2
I get the sense that some of them are not racist, misogynistic, or mean; it seems like there is an edgy form of humor out there that is trying to say "Hey, you know I'm not personally like this, I'm just using the same attention getting tool the shockmeisters use. Aren't I ironically funny, like the 'music' I listen to and the garbage I watch? How ya like me now?"
While I think this app is a real problem in many respects, it's ability to overcome "PC Culture" is very valuable.
Universities have been at the forefront of the movement to restrict freedom of speech, and so it seems only just that they now must face the inevitable backlash.
Universities have been at the forefront of the movement to restrict freedom of speech, and so it seems only just that they now must face the inevitable backlash.
4
This has nothing to do with free speech or being politically correct. It seems to be all about bullying, put-downs and seeing who can put the most outlandish garbage out there for others to like or look at. It also has nothing to do with overcoming PC, but has everything to do with hurting or threatening other people. I didn't realize that threatening, name-calling and slandering other people were acceptable behaviors and should be protected. If a little PC is what is needed to stop this spew of filth, so be it.
2
Yet another blatant example of the profound sickness that is afflicting contemporary society; and yet somehow, most people (unbelievably) continue to pretend that everything is basically ok.
12
I think the sickness may be the extreme obsession with others' sensitivities.
Bad mouthing starts at a very young age. I teach a cooking class to young kids age 8 through 12. My first rule is thIs: No one in this class is allowed to say a bad thing about another person. I jokingly said the one exception could be an occasional diss about a celebrity. During the time we are together the kids sit around, grating cheese, chopping, dicing and dissing some famous teenage heart throbs who misbehave. In between my instruction the conversation gets lively and loud.
While straining pasta the other day I heard the talk take a disturbing turn. They
were saying really nasty stuff about a person and I told them to tone it down. They continued and when I asked which celebrity was their target they crowed unanimously an unfamiliar name. When I told them that the person didn't sound like a celebrity to me, they all said "In our school he's a celebrity!"
I shut it down immediately and the rule now applies across the board, celebs included.
I imagine once these kids are able to have a device in their hands and hide behind a wall of anonymity they will be very adept at cyber bullying. I can only do my small share to discourage it, but it takes a community of responsible, vigilant adults to guide their kids from a very young age.
Good luck with this as these kids watch their parents texting constantly, diverting their attention away from the ones who need it most.
While straining pasta the other day I heard the talk take a disturbing turn. They
were saying really nasty stuff about a person and I told them to tone it down. They continued and when I asked which celebrity was their target they crowed unanimously an unfamiliar name. When I told them that the person didn't sound like a celebrity to me, they all said "In our school he's a celebrity!"
I shut it down immediately and the rule now applies across the board, celebs included.
I imagine once these kids are able to have a device in their hands and hide behind a wall of anonymity they will be very adept at cyber bullying. I can only do my small share to discourage it, but it takes a community of responsible, vigilant adults to guide their kids from a very young age.
Good luck with this as these kids watch their parents texting constantly, diverting their attention away from the ones who need it most.
13
How about barring all smartphones and iPads from lectures, allowing for recorders only?
Colleges could also put up signal supressors to block these applications from working as well and possibly there is a way to block Yik Yak only from working on campus by filtering traffic used by Yik Yak servers.
Colleges could also put up signal supressors to block these applications from working as well and possibly there is a way to block Yik Yak only from working on campus by filtering traffic used by Yik Yak servers.
6
The problem seems to be the anonymous nature of nature of the app. Just attach a randomly generated number to each account. For $500.00 the name of the user will be made sent to you. Everyone knows about this policy.
A copy of the postings or post would be forwarded with the fee and the company would decide if the name would be made available to the payee. Hence some income stream. Privacy is encroached on but NOT without reason and mote individuals could get on with their lives.
As was stated the information is available to law enforcement and others. Now it, for a large fee, would be available to individuals offended or cyberbullied who wanted to do something about it. Anyone could still post what they wanted but would be directly responsible for those grey areas between criminal activity and harassment, defamation and threats.
Since perfect privacy is not really possible in the digital world this policy might inhibit some of the crazy activities.
The old saw that when two people know a secret it is not a secret anymore should be understood by posters in the digital world. That has been true forever why should it not be true in our current world? Our country would not collapse and the world would go on. So called poison pen letters have not ended society as we know it. Harassing phone calls are a daily occurrence. This too shall pass.
A copy of the postings or post would be forwarded with the fee and the company would decide if the name would be made available to the payee. Hence some income stream. Privacy is encroached on but NOT without reason and mote individuals could get on with their lives.
As was stated the information is available to law enforcement and others. Now it, for a large fee, would be available to individuals offended or cyberbullied who wanted to do something about it. Anyone could still post what they wanted but would be directly responsible for those grey areas between criminal activity and harassment, defamation and threats.
Since perfect privacy is not really possible in the digital world this policy might inhibit some of the crazy activities.
The old saw that when two people know a secret it is not a secret anymore should be understood by posters in the digital world. That has been true forever why should it not be true in our current world? Our country would not collapse and the world would go on. So called poison pen letters have not ended society as we know it. Harassing phone calls are a daily occurrence. This too shall pass.
3
Google and Apple profit wildly by marketing products to schools and kids. If both would remove Yik Yak from their app stores, they can solve a big problem for schools and protect kids. Where's the downside ?
10
Good Lord. I'm glad I'm not a young person now. A whole new facet to the awkwardness of it all. Like any more were needed.
“When I started JuicyCampus," said the founder of this app's progenitor, "cyberbullying wasn’t even a word in our vernacular. But these guys should know better.” Well put. Of course they should.
Once again, it's clear that the value of the old notion about not saying anything unless you can say something nice is inversely proportional to the anonymity with which you can say it. Quite the unflattering revelation about human nature, in general.
All the electronic connectivity that's mushroomed up around us in the last two decades is, mostly, a good thing. Once advertising got hold of everything (which, fortunately, as I remember it, at least didn't happen immediately) I started thinking that some evolution of how useful it all is would be needed. And by now I'm pretty convinced that it'll actually get worse before it gets any better. This is a perfect example. We can only hope that sooner or later the whole medium will grow up fully.
“When I started JuicyCampus," said the founder of this app's progenitor, "cyberbullying wasn’t even a word in our vernacular. But these guys should know better.” Well put. Of course they should.
Once again, it's clear that the value of the old notion about not saying anything unless you can say something nice is inversely proportional to the anonymity with which you can say it. Quite the unflattering revelation about human nature, in general.
All the electronic connectivity that's mushroomed up around us in the last two decades is, mostly, a good thing. Once advertising got hold of everything (which, fortunately, as I remember it, at least didn't happen immediately) I started thinking that some evolution of how useful it all is would be needed. And by now I'm pretty convinced that it'll actually get worse before it gets any better. This is a perfect example. We can only hope that sooner or later the whole medium will grow up fully.
7
High school students are clearly not the only ones too immature to use Yik Yak. What a complete waste of time and effort, and all to make it rich like the Facebook folks. What would happen if privileged, well-educated young people started putting their smarts (and their parent's money) into something truly valuable, meaningful, and helpful for others. What a concept!
29
The app itself is rather novel. Seeing posts by others within a reasonable distance to your location is a rather unique way to connect people who would otherwise be unconnected. The problem isn't the app itself, but the nature and disposition of those most actively posting on it.
Want to make a real difference use the app and down vote offensive posts so they get dropped from the board. Beat them at their own game. Out post them and down vote. This isn't anything new in the cyber world and has been a means of self-regulating by a community on various types of discussions boards, etc. for quite some time.
Want to make a real difference use the app and down vote offensive posts so they get dropped from the board. Beat them at their own game. Out post them and down vote. This isn't anything new in the cyber world and has been a means of self-regulating by a community on various types of discussions boards, etc. for quite some time.
2
Articles about social media like this remind me of the maître d' in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" who says, "I weep for the future."
The worst of human nature comes out behind the veil of anonymity. More worrisome is the concern that people who are constantly immersed in their electronic gadgets may miss out on developing important social skills. Groups of young people walk around NYC and instead of interacting with each other and enjoying the sounds and sights around them, are intently focused on their smartphones. Nothing can take the place of direct interaction with other people and I hope the ability to pick up on cues is not lost.
Some of Yik Yak's problems may be ameliorated with the use of filters and boundaries, but the ugliness of human nature through anonymity will prevail and some will always be hurt.
The worst of human nature comes out behind the veil of anonymity. More worrisome is the concern that people who are constantly immersed in their electronic gadgets may miss out on developing important social skills. Groups of young people walk around NYC and instead of interacting with each other and enjoying the sounds and sights around them, are intently focused on their smartphones. Nothing can take the place of direct interaction with other people and I hope the ability to pick up on cues is not lost.
Some of Yik Yak's problems may be ameliorated with the use of filters and boundaries, but the ugliness of human nature through anonymity will prevail and some will always be hurt.
8
when, a few centuries from now, historians will wonder what attested or drove to the" decline of the occidental empire", that kind of behaviour will most certainly com up. Collective shame, lack of whatever social decency criteria there might remain, unrestrained agression under the cover of anonymity, and, underlying all that, greed, greed, unrestrained greed from the two little, despicable manipulators at the origin of all that ...
6
The decline of the human empire, you mean? I for one welcome our robot overlords....
From the article: "Colleges are largely powerless to deal with the havoc Yik Yak is wreaking. The app’s privacy policy prevents schools from identifying users without a subpoena, court order or search warrant, or an emergency request from a law-enforcement official with a compelling claim of imminent harm. Schools can block access to Yik Yak on their Wi-Fi networks, but banning a popular social media network is controversial in its own right, arguably tantamount to curtailing freedom of speech. And as a practical matter, it doesn’t work anyway. Students can still use the app on their phones with their cell service."
Almost none of what is stated in the above paragraph stands up to scrutiny. First of all, most "anonymous" apps are not really anonymous at all. Secondly, of course finding out who first posted an offensive post on Yik Yak requires a subpoena. Why wouldn't it? Thirdly, if Yik Yak is such a problem, a college or university should ban it. There is no right to hate speech guaranteed on a college campus, anymore than there is outside of the campus.
As for what happened with Jordan Seman at Middlebury College, it is unfortunate, but her decision to allow her picture in this article is only going to compound her campus reputation problems. And Prof. Crouch didn't hire a lawyer because she knew she didn't have a strong enough case, not because her accusers couldn't be found. Like this article, these people are all bark, and no bite.
6
'...There is no right to hate speech guaranteed on a college campus, anymore than there is outside of the campus...'
There is indeed a right to speech 'outside of the campus', even if others might find it 'hateful', which paints with a broad brush.
It appears that what students are taught in school should be a careful reading of the First Amendment.
There is indeed a right to speech 'outside of the campus', even if others might find it 'hateful', which paints with a broad brush.
It appears that what students are taught in school should be a careful reading of the First Amendment.
@NM in NYC: there is a Federal law against hate speech, and other instances of free speech can also be limited, depending on the context. The most trite, famous example is that you are not allowed to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater when there is no fire.
Colleges and universities are free to make laws and rules which apply to the people on their property. Free speech, no matter where one is located is not without at least some restrictions.
2
It's all about anonymity. People behave in terrible ways when they are anonymous. The Internet and social media have just made it very simple for people to say the most abusive, bullying things.
Put cameras in cities and crime goes down. Put a picture of a face in front of the coffee maker and people are more likely to drop a quarter into the cup.
As the saying goes, on the Internet, no one knows you're a dog. Or a cyber bully. And no one is held accountable.
As for Yik Yak's founders and investors, they have their head in the sand. They see $$ and consider the abusive comments a mild annoyance. And as usual, colleges feel they can't do anything to stop the abuse.
Maybe when someone jumps off a bridge or blows their brains out, or a woman is gang-raped, due to Yik Yak posts, more attention will be paid. But until people are held accountable, the worst in human nature will continue to spill out into social media.
Put cameras in cities and crime goes down. Put a picture of a face in front of the coffee maker and people are more likely to drop a quarter into the cup.
As the saying goes, on the Internet, no one knows you're a dog. Or a cyber bully. And no one is held accountable.
As for Yik Yak's founders and investors, they have their head in the sand. They see $$ and consider the abusive comments a mild annoyance. And as usual, colleges feel they can't do anything to stop the abuse.
Maybe when someone jumps off a bridge or blows their brains out, or a woman is gang-raped, due to Yik Yak posts, more attention will be paid. But until people are held accountable, the worst in human nature will continue to spill out into social media.
24
1) for teachers and professors at both the high school and college or even graduate level, there is a VERY quick and rather easy way to stop those kinds of posts. Crowd source the anger at the poster(s) by punishing the whole class. If everyone gets the equivalent of midterm- level F until the poster is outed, you will see things change.
2) as for blocking the app on wi-fi, that can help because students can be quite lazy and won't want to keep switching from wireless to cell service and back.
3) this app is free with no ads. What is the incentive for investors? A hope that the app will be bought by some company like google or Facebook? Otherwise they lose money daily!
2) as for blocking the app on wi-fi, that can help because students can be quite lazy and won't want to keep switching from wireless to cell service and back.
3) this app is free with no ads. What is the incentive for investors? A hope that the app will be bought by some company like google or Facebook? Otherwise they lose money daily!
1
Collective punishment is as bad as the offensive yaks.
Your solution doesn't make any sense. What if a student from outside the class decides to post a comment, and therefore sabotage the class that he's not even a part of?
1
You have absolutely no idea how universities function if you think #1 is even remotely a workable solution.
3
This is a great app for cowards. What's troubling is that it's so popular.
28
Take a look at everyone glued to their phones. This is important stuff they are reading/writing. The future is bleak, indeed.
21
Limiting young Americans' expression of violent and hateful ideation is daunting.
How violent and hateful so many young American minds are is depressing.
How violent and hateful so many young American minds are is depressing.
7
There is no indication that the users of Yik Yak are violent, just immature and obnoxious.
1
NM:
"At Kenyon College, a 'yakker' proposed a gang rape at the school’s women’s center."
Since when is rape "not violent.?"
Open up your eyes. You live in a country that was built on slavery and genocide. The racism and violence of that past is as much a part of the American psyche today as it was 200 years ago.
Evidence? Vietnam, Iraq, and dozens of democratically elected popular governments overthrown by the USA and replaced by military dictatorship, a process that continues unabated today in Venezuela, the Middle East, elsewhere.
"At Kenyon College, a 'yakker' proposed a gang rape at the school’s women’s center."
Since when is rape "not violent.?"
Open up your eyes. You live in a country that was built on slavery and genocide. The racism and violence of that past is as much a part of the American psyche today as it was 200 years ago.
Evidence? Vietnam, Iraq, and dozens of democratically elected popular governments overthrown by the USA and replaced by military dictatorship, a process that continues unabated today in Venezuela, the Middle East, elsewhere.
2
Try this app for awhile before you judge it. I've been reading YikYak for several months and while most of the Yaks are very sophomoric, many are so clever that I laugh out loud. I would hate to see YikYak disappear.
Also, I am not in college - I'm much older. I greatly enjoy what these kids are posting and I don't think it's so harmful.
Also, I am not in college - I'm much older. I greatly enjoy what these kids are posting and I don't think it's so harmful.
43
do you think the cleverness would disappear if the postings were not anonymous?
1
Nancy,
Perhaps if you became the victim of cyber hate you might change your tune.
Perhaps if you became the victim of cyber hate you might change your tune.
2
Why does anyone need anonymity to post "clever" but non-threatening comments?
1
"Only posts within a 1.5-mile radius appear, making Yik Yak well suited to college campuses."
I don't think that's accurate. I live about 8 miles from Swarthmore College and get all kinds of stuff from their feed.
I don't think that's accurate. I live about 8 miles from Swarthmore College and get all kinds of stuff from their feed.
5
Just stop using Yik Yak. Why do people feel compelled to pay attention to this childishness? There's no need to ban anything. Don't load the app.
6
So, if you find that people are making slanderous statements about you on the app, making up lies, and ruining your reputation, your solution is just not to load the app? How does that solve anything?
2
If you block or censor this app, another one will just come along to take its place. There is really nothing you can do to stop this stuff other than prohibit direct threats against others or property as in other first amendment cases. (I realize this is a private app and first amendment issues reside with govt)
Essentially, the internet has created a field of play where people feel 'empowered' to say whatever they wish and it will remain such. I can't help feel that part of this problem is that the universities and media have created such a climate of PC culture that when milleniums and the like perceive they can break free of such restrictions they do so with reckless abandon. Ease up on the PC condemnation of every little thing and these extremes in apps such as these may diminish on their own. Would be an interesting experiment to run.
Essentially, the internet has created a field of play where people feel 'empowered' to say whatever they wish and it will remain such. I can't help feel that part of this problem is that the universities and media have created such a climate of PC culture that when milleniums and the like perceive they can break free of such restrictions they do so with reckless abandon. Ease up on the PC condemnation of every little thing and these extremes in apps such as these may diminish on their own. Would be an interesting experiment to run.
5
This has nothing to do with PC, but seems to have everything to do with the veil of anonymity. Since when is bullying, threatening and sexually harassing others acceptable? This app seems to do nothing but play to a person's most base nature. Callous, unthinking, uncaring and without consequence. Real life isn't like that.
2
This should not be too difficult to handle with carefully crafted legislation. The owner of any product or service that allows the posting of libelous or criminally threatening content will be liable for the consequences unless (1) it has effective measures to receive complaints and remove the offending comments, or(2) it reveals who made the post in the first place, so that person can be dealt with. Any such product or service that does not have an effective mechanism for dealing with such complaints or identifying users will bear the legal costs of the complainant. There is no legal or earthly reason that the enablers of such posts cannot bear the same responsibility for content that print newspapers and other responsible outlets bear. Absolutely none.
4
Seems to me that simply removing the anonymity might do the trick. Why be anonymous if not to create something disturbing or damaging?
Up the play: An excellent opportunity for folks to learn how to write their own YakBots; monitor for abuse and automate the down votes. Flood the 'conversation' with positiveness.
4
The real problem is secondary.
It's not just the original offensiveness, but the response to this, the turning away from human interaction, defensive anonymity, and increased and more wide spread alienation which is the real problem.
It's not just the original offensiveness, but the response to this, the turning away from human interaction, defensive anonymity, and increased and more wide spread alienation which is the real problem.
147
The alienation you are describing is a common feature of all online interactions. Not only of such asocial sites, which tend to bring out the worst in people, since normal societal norms are suspended in that universe. I also feel it when I have to deal with my administration. Where I previously could work out any issues, major and minor, by just picking up the phone or - my preferred way - go to their office and talk the problem over with the administrator dealing with it, this is literally no longer possible. In fact, our administrative offices only deal with us online now. First, they relocated to an off-campus site a mile away, making it inconvenient to walk there to sort our an issue. Next, they cut off their phones. Lastly, they installed locks on their doors so personal interaction is no longer possible. Mind you, we are talking about a public university here. It is literally no longer possible to speak face to face to about half of our administrators.
I honestly wonder why we still have them. As things are right now, we might as well outsource our entire administration to India and save a lot of money along the way.
I honestly wonder why we still have them. As things are right now, we might as well outsource our entire administration to India and save a lot of money along the way.
5
Janaya Greene, a freshman at Ohio State wrote about racially offensive comments on Yik Yak on the Scenarios USA blog. When students of color may be feeling marginalized in a predominantly white environment, anonymous apps like Yik Yak make them feel more vulnerable, it increases a racial divide. Janaya asks that "Yik Yak (to) take responsibility and the necessary steps that will ensure the safety of its online community." Read Janaya's story here: http://bit.ly/1F0h2TN
http://bit.ly/1F0h2TN
http://bit.ly/1F0h2TN
2
The real tragedy or rather horror revealed in this story is that this app and others like it, merely are a symptom and reflection of the overruling hatred that permeates our society. The degree of self-hate within so many individuals who have no self awareness of the fact that their hateful attacks directed at others are merely a reflection and projection of deep hatred within themselves. Getting rid of these apps solves nothing, the hate inside of humans will still be there, ready to pounce and attack at the first opportunity.
2
The reality is, I suspect, that given anonymity and a community of hate-spewers breeds a kind of hate-spewing. Without the community and the implicit approval of hate speech, much of it would disappear, and many of the so-called haters would wake up.
It's time to make the names of people, businesses and media applications financially responsible for profiting from hate. Harming people's minds with hateful postings is like selling drugs without taking responsibility for the lives being ruined. Everyone hears of the words uttered by hate groups, terrorist and racist. However, it's ok if a young student creates an app to make millions from promoting hate - "they is just funning". This article brings to the surface a form of Domestic Technology Terrorism (DTT).
4
It isn't terrorism. Please stop misusing the word.
1
Another app to record every inane thought of a generation devoid of thought.. What a waste of battery power.
11
After reading this article I downloaded the app and purused the local yaks. Mostly dullards with challenged wit, people looking for anonymous sex and people complaining about the weather. A sort of unrefined Twitter really, without XXX photos.
Next.
Next.
5
It's not just high school or college users that are too immature for this app. Check out the comments pages on most local newspapers (the NY Times is an exception)--it's like exploring a sewer. There are thousands, perhaps millions, of anonymous posts expressing the worst of human nature.
50
Don't read them then, unless the point of reading them is to be offended, in which case you will not be disappointed.
WaPo, Red State, Atlantic Monthly; unless a site pays for moderation, trolls have nothing better to do than troll.
4
People can either ignore hateful crap, or they can be offended by every stupid thing somebody posts in an anonymous forum. This is the new world of communications. I think it's a much better idea for everybody to just toughen up, rather than trying to silence each new source of anonymous speech.
Of course, the situation is different when someone's revealing facts about people anonymously or making threats. But the majority of this article is discussing off-color comments that, in my opinion, we all have a duty to teach ourselves to ignore.
Of course, the situation is different when someone's revealing facts about people anonymously or making threats. But the majority of this article is discussing off-color comments that, in my opinion, we all have a duty to teach ourselves to ignore.
6
If one has worthwhile points to make, why the need to hide behind anonymity?
"Leveling the playing fields" against Twitter sounds great in principle so why not do with with true identity? Anonymity seems to confer more protection to those with cowardly behavior.
"Leveling the playing fields" against Twitter sounds great in principle so why not do with with true identity? Anonymity seems to confer more protection to those with cowardly behavior.
2
Anonymity also confers protection to those with non-majority viewpoints and on many campuses, where all the professors are Liberals, being anything else can come at great cost to student.
They're adults. They grew up on the internet.
If they want to create and watch destructive gossip, so what?
Obviously there will be a few victims of this gossip. And probably some bullying. And perhaps some lawsuits.
But mostly, it's just low-class behavior by low-class people. Let them have each other. The mature and the leaders won't be bothered.
If they want to create and watch destructive gossip, so what?
Obviously there will be a few victims of this gossip. And probably some bullying. And perhaps some lawsuits.
But mostly, it's just low-class behavior by low-class people. Let them have each other. The mature and the leaders won't be bothered.
10
it's not just destructive gossip, although that is bad enough. When it is used to attack Mr. Zoberman for raising thoughtful questions and to inflame sentiment against him, it becomes dangerous. Mob thinking results in lynchings, both verbal and physical. This app seems to me to promote mobs, which always want to be anonymous.
2
You have never been targeted, obviously. Lies repeated enough times stick on like glue. Keep freedom of speech - it's important. But make sure everyone has to sign their digital speech with their real names.
2
It is not that complicated - freedom of speech is absolute.
The usual apologists will start with "I believe in freedom of speech... but...."
There is no 'but'
You don't like what you are seeing - stay off of the app.
Is it juvenile and cruel - yeah - but so is a lot of college and life in general.
~ Liberal institutions cease to be liberal as soon as they are attained: later on, there are no worse and no more thorough injurers of freedom than liberal institutions. Nietzsche: Twilight of the Idols (1888)
The usual apologists will start with "I believe in freedom of speech... but...."
There is no 'but'
You don't like what you are seeing - stay off of the app.
Is it juvenile and cruel - yeah - but so is a lot of college and life in general.
~ Liberal institutions cease to be liberal as soon as they are attained: later on, there are no worse and no more thorough injurers of freedom than liberal institutions. Nietzsche: Twilight of the Idols (1888)
1
fine, 'but' why the anonymity?
1
There is a "but." Sign your name to whatever speech you send out into the world. Then if there are consequences, you have to pay them.
2
Freedom of speech is absolute? Really? Care to present any evidence to support your statement? And please do not quote the Constitution as it only states that "Congress [as in those folks on the Hill in DC] shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press". Best.
3
Very distressing. This shows that when some people feel they can get away with doing something hateful and hurtful, they'll take full advantage of the opportunity. Yes, these college students are still young, but they also know better. They should be ashamed of themselves.
20
My suggestion for Yik Yak's clever founders:
Rewrite the app so that at random intervals, every day, the real names of the real posters are associated with all posts for a certain period of time.
Just as in real life, when people suddenly discover who's spewing the lies, the bile and the bigotry, the social norms of shaming and embarrassment are put in place and can override the immaturity and egotism of the puerile posters.
It's only the anonymity that enables this destructive behavior. Yik Yak can choose to shine an occasional spotlight on things... and just think how that would liven it up. Maybe even make it profitable ... some day.
Rewrite the app so that at random intervals, every day, the real names of the real posters are associated with all posts for a certain period of time.
Just as in real life, when people suddenly discover who's spewing the lies, the bile and the bigotry, the social norms of shaming and embarrassment are put in place and can override the immaturity and egotism of the puerile posters.
It's only the anonymity that enables this destructive behavior. Yik Yak can choose to shine an occasional spotlight on things... and just think how that would liven it up. Maybe even make it profitable ... some day.
8
As a former professor, my response to this nonsense would have been the following. "It has come to my attention that a number of students have been abusing the privilege of sitting in this class by playing with an iPhone app called Yik Yak. As a result, all smart phones must be turned off and put away in a book bag, purse, whatever you have. Anyone found using a smart phone will be asked to leave. A second offense will result in an automatic F and dismissal form this class with no opportunity for any make up." Boom. Problem solved.
340
Excellent, Jason: and what about when class is out?
Bravo. In my syllabus, I required ALL electronic devices be turned off during class time. I explained that it was an issue of quality control. I found electronic devices personally distracting, and they and their games, porn, and other enticements and entertainments affected the quality of my teaching, thus diminishing my value to the serious students in the course. Sorry, but you will have to take notes long hand, using such primitive devices as pen and paper. Boom, boom. Problem solved.
2
Most likely you'd be lecturing to an empty room.
You might notice that my actual name, a facsimile of my appearance, and my location are above this message. They always have been. On the other hand, the vast majority of posts here are anonymous. The New York Times tries to "police" their posts. This is an expense to them and an irritation to us. One result is the complete inability to hold any kind of online "conversation" here.
I think the secret is to abolish anonymity and then let the chips fall. I have always followed the personal policy of not posting (or emailing) anything I wasn't willing to stand behind in person. That doesn't stop me from taking strong stands on some issues and it shouldn't stop anyone.
There is a myth that "privacy" (whatever that is) has to be protected at all costs. I think the debate should shift to, "What, actually, is this 'privacy' that we're trying to protect and why are we protecting it?" Hillary is now learning that there isn't any such thing. Her efforts to be in control of her own communication will result in the loss of control. It's a lesson we will all learn to varying degrees as we thrash about trying to recreate conditions of the past in a future we don't comprehend.
I think the secret is to abolish anonymity and then let the chips fall. I have always followed the personal policy of not posting (or emailing) anything I wasn't willing to stand behind in person. That doesn't stop me from taking strong stands on some issues and it shouldn't stop anyone.
There is a myth that "privacy" (whatever that is) has to be protected at all costs. I think the debate should shift to, "What, actually, is this 'privacy' that we're trying to protect and why are we protecting it?" Hillary is now learning that there isn't any such thing. Her efforts to be in control of her own communication will result in the loss of control. It's a lesson we will all learn to varying degrees as we thrash about trying to recreate conditions of the past in a future we don't comprehend.
19
Your point is well taken, but a degree of anonymity is helpful in many forums. I regularly read the NYT's Health section and sometimes post there--and would feel uncomfortable posting my full name (e.g., under a recent column on grieving). I'm not irritated in the least by the Times moderators, and indeed am grateful for them; they make this a comfortable place to be--unlike most news sites, which are rife with spewers of ugliness.
5
Privacy is that which keeps a Democratic employee from being fired in a supermajority Republican state.
6
To answer to your first paragraph: I used to post under my real name. One day I received a phone call from a total stranger, a male, who had tracked me down. As a single woman who lives alone I was glad this was a friendly call; however, I realized that I could not express my (Liberal, Feminist) thoughts if I could be traced. YikYak has shown the deep malevolence that exists in this society and I don't want to make it easy to become a target.
4
Anonymity on the internet gives a license to address abuse and broadcast abuse. While those trapped under oppressive regimes need anonymity to protect their protests, the same tools are being used to spread hate without restraint. Lacking intelligent filters to block hateful commentary I would argue that this "product" does very little to benefit humanity, but apparently one of the largest VC firms, Sequoia Capital, is so lacking it needs to invest in this "technology" rather than addressing real problems facing the Planet.
237
Define 'hateful commentary'.
It would be far different in a Muslim country than in the US, which is exactly why we tolerate annoying and obnoxious speech, rather than have a group of politicians decide what is 'acceptable'.
It would be far different in a Muslim country than in the US, which is exactly why we tolerate annoying and obnoxious speech, rather than have a group of politicians decide what is 'acceptable'.
1
I call it using a 'cybershroud,' when one writes anonymous critical posts under the cover of a screen name because they don't have the guts to do it any other way. This is my real name by the way.
1
most all of the manufacturing jobs are now overseas so now the only american "industries"
are apps for smart phones irrespective of whether they are beneficial or detrimental to their users or victims or the public at large
are apps for smart phones irrespective of whether they are beneficial or detrimental to their users or victims or the public at large
To quote a line from the movie "Bandits"," in the history of bad ideas, this one is a hum dinger".
5
The First Amendment comes back to bite us. And defamation, slander, character assassination laws are apparently now irrelevant. Only lawsuits and harsh - very harsh legislation will cure this ill.
7
The First Amendment is what has saved us.
No one has to read these moronic posts and those who do should make better use of their time than looking for offensive speech at the hands of immature college students.
No one has to read these moronic posts and those who do should make better use of their time than looking for offensive speech at the hands of immature college students.
3
I don't see what the problem is. Using Yik Yak is voluntary. You find stuff on it offensive? Then don't use it.
7
If this stuff went on in a business setting it would get addressed and shut down pronto.
College seems like a great place for the immature in our society. Let them ride the lazy rivers, enjoy the campus dining halls and lounges, incur huge amounts of debt and generally destroy each other while mature people, go to work and you know, accomplish tangible things that benefit society.
College seems like a great place for the immature in our society. Let them ride the lazy rivers, enjoy the campus dining halls and lounges, incur huge amounts of debt and generally destroy each other while mature people, go to work and you know, accomplish tangible things that benefit society.
5
Yes, but I'm going to remember this when my vote is solicitated to forgive student debt or make college cheaper so that everyone can go.
In the 1990s a number of newspapers instituted something called "Sound Off," basically a telephone recording machine in the office on which local readers could leave anonymous messages that would be printed in the newspaper. The idea was to engage the community in conversations about everything from the latest city council vote to recipe sharing. It quickly became a venue for vicious attacks on other people, local police officers, and one's neighbors. Most newspapers abandoned the effort. In the digital age another Sound Off- like anonymous commenting system on newspaper web sites ended up the same way and was discontinued. Humans don't seem to be able to resist the negative. Maybe our schools should think about spending more time teaching ethics and instilling personal responsibility.
14
Reading articles like this makes me think social media are among the worst things ever to have been "developed." Whether it's ISIS using twitter and FB to recruit killers or frat boys using YY to spew hate and misogyny. Sure, one could always do these things in the era of print, but now the vehicles for hate are much more sophisticated and sinister.
28
Another reason to stay off social media! Ugh. All those kids should be home reading. And ye who have been written about: ignore it. Go retro: drink a malted and calm down.
http://www.thecriticalmom.blogspot.com
http://www.thecriticalmom.blogspot.com
2
No, I don't think so. A storm of scurrilous posts about a girl scarcely out on her own can be devastating, especially when others start to repeat it when they see her in real time, making echoes go far beyond the smartphone.
There have been several news reports about girls committing suicide because of being targets of this sort of thing.
Go retro at your own risk.
There have been several news reports about girls committing suicide because of being targets of this sort of thing.
Go retro at your own risk.
3
I would like to here more about the 'murky legal issues involved'. YakYak purposefully creates the anonymity for the posters. so isn't legal responsibility for posts assumed by YakYak? I'm sure my mistake is trying to apply common sense to a legal issue.
3
Yik Yak: sounds sort of like "icky" or "yucky" ... no wonder it's often poisonous.
2
So much for making strides against racism, sexism, bullying and body shaming. This is an app for cowards. More appropriate name would be Yak Dung.
18
Yuck!
1
When I read that college students are sending hostile sexist messages about their teachers instead of learning from them, I wonder why they--and their parents--are wasting their money on tuition.
57
Great idea. But hold on to your hat when the helicopter parents come and demand another chance for their little snowflake.
A teacher told me what she hated most about teaching was the parents.
A teacher told me what she hated most about teaching was the parents.
3
Because in their eyes college isn't about education, it's about entitlement to a diploma and the ability to use it to make more money than the people they hate upon on YY. What has happened to higher education in America is very sad -- like everything else, it's just another commodity to be purchased and trashed.
4
If there were jobs for idiots growing on trees, there would not be idiots in college. "Everyone knows" that the baccalaureate is the new high school diploma, so every idiot sets about getting one.
Oh how I pine for yesteryear, before political correctness, when there was real free speech in America. One could deride others for their politics, religion, race, sexual orientation or whatever else was on their mind. Of course, those comments would most likely to re reciprocated with a vengeance by the aggrieved party. However, there is something very cathartic that takes place when the vitriol boils up and out of ones mouth. Everyone then knows where everyone else truly stands on issues
Real change took place back then because real feelings were exposed. Now any crude, rude, racists, sexist, misogynistic comments have to be suppressed or routed through a platform like Yik Yak and the perps never suffer the angst of knowing that the aggrieved parties will "right the score." I sense all this repressed anger and disagreement about the social consequences of "protecting" those of alternative persuasions is about to erupt in full rebellion by the "Silent Majority." Change can be legislated but real change only occurs when it takes place in a persons heart.
Real change took place back then because real feelings were exposed. Now any crude, rude, racists, sexist, misogynistic comments have to be suppressed or routed through a platform like Yik Yak and the perps never suffer the angst of knowing that the aggrieved parties will "right the score." I sense all this repressed anger and disagreement about the social consequences of "protecting" those of alternative persuasions is about to erupt in full rebellion by the "Silent Majority." Change can be legislated but real change only occurs when it takes place in a persons heart.
2
Yes, bring back dueling. That will solve the problem.
7
After reading this article and the examples of this app's posts, my only word for Yik Yak and its users and abusers is a big "Yuck!"
5
Schools are big business for Google and Apple. Removing Yik Yak from their app stores would serve their best customers - kids - quite well.
4
Wow--a couple of frat boys from South Carolina are surprised that their anonymous gossip app enables racist, homophobic, and sexist comments? Give me a break--that was probably in their business plan. The real villains, though, are the "grownup" venture capitalists who decided it would be a good idea to fund this enterprise. Hasn't the internet been around long enough by now for us to realize that nothing particularly good comes from giving people an anonymous platform to say whatever they feel like?
(I do note the irony that I'm saying this in any anonymous forum--but at least this one is moderated!)
(I do note the irony that I'm saying this in any anonymous forum--but at least this one is moderated!)
217
Exactly what I was going to post.
Exactly. How about flagging that functions as moderation? One flag, two flags, three flags, and the comment is wiped out, and poster is blacklisted for a week. Three weeks of blacklist, permanent ban. Let the community take out its trash.
9
So, David is not your name, you are not from Chicago, and you did not register with the Times. Naughty boy. Lest you misunderstand, it appears probable that what you call an anonymous forum under the name "David" is not an anonymous forum as constructed by Yik Yak and suffered by its victims.
It's not Yik Yak, it's immature, unevolved, thoughtless, self-centered, racist, sexist, frightened children who think they are adults because they are living away from home. Yik yak is simply a tool that allows for anonymous communication; not unlike a toilet stall. The nature of the communication reflects the minds of the posters. This is no different than the problem of sexual assault and substance abuse on college campuses. It comes down to character, integrity, values and maturity. And quite dangerously, these issues don't disappear when these same people move on into the worlds of commerce, finance, law, medicine, politics, the military, advertising and even academia.The problem is very real, frighteningly widespread and it's not going away any time soon.
16
That's correct. Yik Yak happens to be a platform for people to express their thinking, much of it unkind. How unfortunate that this is how young people, who are privileged enough to be in college, spend their time. A shame indeed.
1
'...This is no different than the problem of sexual assault and substance abuse on college campuses...'
Words are not the same as actions.
Words are not the same as actions.
1
Some words are actions - libel, threats, harassment, copyright violation. Simply saying 'words are not the same as actions' is overly simplistic and inaccurate.
I am a High School teacher. This artiicle is SO right. I see it every day. Every day.
52
I've been fortunate to send my kids to Jesuit prep. The local, exceedingly wealthy, public high school is a cesspool of this kind of stuff, honed from the nearly as dreadful middle schools.
1
I'm in my late forties. I've spent most of my adult life working in the field of higher education. This article depresses me. I know that people are flawed and fallible, me included. I also know that times and tools change. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many, many wonderful young people. All that said, I'm sickened by so much of what the internet enables and encourages us to reveal about ourselves. All of the casual and constant contempt wears on the spirit. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I would have used Yik Yak had it been available to me in my school days. Maybe I would have experimented with heroin if it had been legal. A good book and some Van Morrison sound really good right about now, so I'm doing all I can think to do before I log off: I (anonymously) wish one and all only the very, very best of everything. May you be richly and amply blessed.
605
But it's a window on the soul. It show US who we really are. I was bullied badly in High School both physically and emotionally. I too was born in the 70's and grew up in the 80's and 90's and this proves to me that nothing has changed. In fact, it has probably become worse. That said, perhaps like priest pedophiles, the best disinfectant is sunlight. I think it should be allowed in High Schools (everywhere in fact) so everyone can see exactly who we are (as a people) what we really think and where we come from. Suppressing the speech will only lead to it going to some other app without the care of $$$ silicon valley investment (e.g. some Russian hacker will release a limits free version) and your evil children will use that. The more important question isn't cyberbullying or apps or free speech, no it's much more fundamental ... that question(s) is: What's wrong with you people! ... why do you produce such sick children, why are you so full of hate and why do you enjoy hurting other human beings?
8
Awareness is more important than decorum. A phony idea of how people are may please you, but it is not nearly as useful as an honest idea of how people are. If you really want to make progress, always exposing as much truth as possible is the way to do it.
The veneer of civility among us is just that. A veneer. Sans rule of law, we in the US are no different to the widely reported eve teasers in Cairo's streets. The percentages of haters, bigots and misogynists will match exactly.
When some of us talk with disdain about how folks in the middle east treat their women or people who are "different", just remember, what happens here in the US is just marginally less worse, or more worse, depends on how you see it. As someone said, Yik Yak is just the messenger.
When some of us talk with disdain about how folks in the middle east treat their women or people who are "different", just remember, what happens here in the US is just marginally less worse, or more worse, depends on how you see it. As someone said, Yik Yak is just the messenger.
Yik Yak should solicit donations against cyberbullying and hate speech. Certified donors can flag posts that qualify as cyberbullying or hate speech.
The amount gathered from donations should be turned over to police to fund a special unit that examines the flagged posts, identify the suspects, gather evidence, and turn over the material to the district attorney. This is truly self-policing because it is the Yik Yak community that cleanses itself.
The amount gathered from donations should be turned over to police to fund a special unit that examines the flagged posts, identify the suspects, gather evidence, and turn over the material to the district attorney. This is truly self-policing because it is the Yik Yak community that cleanses itself.
44
Perhaps the YikYak community doesn't want to cleanse itself? Perhaps the appeal to people who use YikYak is that indeed they can attack down and dirty and not be held accountable. Why should they clean up a dirty pleasure?
71
"The amount gathered from donations should be turned over to police to fund a special unit that examines the flagged posts, identify the suspects, gather evidence, and turn over the material to the district attorney. "
For what charge? Unless someone makes a physical threat, there is nothing to charge them with. You can't prosecute people for distasteful comments.
For what charge? Unless someone makes a physical threat, there is nothing to charge them with. You can't prosecute people for distasteful comments.
I'm sure there are those who want a hate-free, cyberbully-free site. I recommended donations, but this idea is a wish not a need. I have an alternate suggestion. If Yik Yak adopts a flagging system for cyberbullying and hate speech, a poster loses his/her anonymity once a certain threshold of flags is reached.
1
First amendment rights are critical, however, you cannot have rights of any kind without accountability. That's why we have a free press, to hold people in power accountable (we can argue about that at a different time). Without accountability, the people being posted about have no rights. Far too often, now, we are asking people to police each other; it is not working and has not been proven to work with social media any meaningful or measurable way.
79
'...First amendment rights are critical, however, you cannot have rights of any kind without accountability...Without accountability, the people being posted about have no rights...'
Patently untrue.
Patently untrue.
3
This sounds like the exact same thing as the covert whispers that have existed in school yards, hallways and the back row of desks since the beginning of youth education. It is just that now the whispers are hypersonic and have transitory permanence.
I say transitory permanence for if ignored for an hour our two a vicious post will become an archeological relic, completely covered over by the flowing mulch.
I suggest we all learn to ignore this verbal manure just as we have learned to ignore the protruding elbows of others in crowds.
I say transitory permanence for if ignored for an hour our two a vicious post will become an archeological relic, completely covered over by the flowing mulch.
I suggest we all learn to ignore this verbal manure just as we have learned to ignore the protruding elbows of others in crowds.
35
Probably the most practical comment I've heard on the subject.
You seem ignorant of the persistent cyber bullying that has caused teens to commit suicide in this country. These posts don't go away. Kids are like sharks who smell blood in the water. They continue and persist and the bad drives out the good. That's the only hope, that people drop using it because it's been ruined by the cruelty and negativity. And that's not a very hopeful outlook.
5
There ought to be some kind of community signal that functions like the lifted nose sniff snub, or raised eyebrow (used to help set old school social norms) to help establish app norms. Could we make an app that blackens the screen of the sender for 10 minutes when enough people down vote a repulsive comment? That would cause chagrin and a lot of wondering what others might be saying about them during the blackout.
1
"In November, Yik Yak closed a $62 million round of financing led by one of Silicon Valley’s biggest venture capital firms, Sequoia Capital, valuing the company at hundreds of millions of dollars."
Just one more example of the type of unregulated and wholly unjustified speculative behavior without any redeeming social qualities whatsoever that, soon enough, is going to bring the roof down on all of our heads.
Just one more example of the type of unregulated and wholly unjustified speculative behavior without any redeeming social qualities whatsoever that, soon enough, is going to bring the roof down on all of our heads.
312
I'm trying to understand what it is about this venture that is worth a $62 million dollar investment. Certainly, it's not the creative, innovative thoughts of college students, apparently more focused on typing crass comments than college notes. Are all the comments being captured for big data purposes and then sold, so unknown companies can target future marketing to the lowest common denominator of anonymous dimwit? Think of what sixty-two million dollars could do if invested thoughtfully by people blessed with a conscience instead of a cash register in their head...
12
No, it will only bring the roof down on you, and the rest of us 99.9% slave labourers, who are way to busy on our phones with junk like this to see at all what the international oligarchs and their stooges in politics and the MSM are doing right there on top of us. We're all too opiated by their social media, sports, entertainment, etc., and powerless, to see it, let alone to do anything about. Way too much magical thinking, always, in NYT comments.
2
Wouldn't it have been a useful -- and interesting -- addition to this article if we were given some idea of how the developers and their investors imagine that they are going to be able to make any money off this enterprise?
7
Perhaps colleges and universities need to include a social aptitude and responsibility test along with the SAT?
122
Good idea. Of course, it would decrease their admissions by at least 50%.
4
Oops. Apologies.
I just conflated the founders of Yik Yak with the users, when I suggested that greed, anger, and delusion are playing a prominent role at Yik Yak.
Greed, and delusion -- yes, probably. So paying homage to the dollar bill does make sense. These founders would do well to learn from Matt Ivester.
But anger (and hatred) are more appropriately ascribed to a significant portion of Yik Yak's users.
I just conflated the founders of Yik Yak with the users, when I suggested that greed, anger, and delusion are playing a prominent role at Yik Yak.
Greed, and delusion -- yes, probably. So paying homage to the dollar bill does make sense. These founders would do well to learn from Matt Ivester.
But anger (and hatred) are more appropriately ascribed to a significant portion of Yik Yak's users.
16
isn't maturity the state in which you have completely internalized the social norms of behavior that define an identity? then clearly anonymity will privilege those who have not internalized the social norms of behavior.
that said, isn't it a little silly to allow those with incompletely formed norms of behavior to vote on whether their anonymous speech will be permitted?
it's not just among the posters, but among the administrators of the institution of character formation that we can ask: who is the adult here? where are the adults here? is this just another example of a venture funded corporate profit mechanism polluting the commons of free speech? why is it left to the police, in the extraordinary cases, to clean up the mess?
that said, isn't it a little silly to allow those with incompletely formed norms of behavior to vote on whether their anonymous speech will be permitted?
it's not just among the posters, but among the administrators of the institution of character formation that we can ask: who is the adult here? where are the adults here? is this just another example of a venture funded corporate profit mechanism polluting the commons of free speech? why is it left to the police, in the extraordinary cases, to clean up the mess?
28
If you're going to be a hater, then put on your big-boy (or big-girl) pants and don't be anonymous about it.
355
This is the perfect app for mean spirited cowards. Is this what the company founders mean when they said they created the app for "the disenfranchised"?
14
Louis, noble thoughts but accountability and logical consequences aren't part of the deal. That's the appeal.
3
Bullies seldom want to be called out.
1
Yik Yak is only a format for words. Ultimately, the only thing that gives power to these words is that people read them, acknowledge them, and write articles or responses about them, as I have just done. If Yik Yak and its content were ignored by all, they would be shown to be what they are, meaningless. At this point in its evolution, Yik Yak is a meaningless tool with a limited vision and short-term future. Let's hope that the young creators and their financiers have a bit more to them intellectually, creatively and compassionately so they can redirect Yik Yak into something that helps the environment, the community or someone other than themselves.
269
"Let's hope that the young creators and their financiers have a bit more to them intellectually, creatively and compassionately so they can redirect Yik Yak into something that helps the environment, the community or someone other than themselves."
Somebody's stealing your unicorn, Wendy.
Somebody's stealing your unicorn, Wendy.
3
It seems to me that it is the users who direct the flow of use via their flow of speech. 'Help me' posts, informative posts, educational/funny posts, also allowed.
it's the users, and the mentality of society that these users emerge from, that is the problem.
The modern American life breeds this. Reap what you sow.
it's the users, and the mentality of society that these users emerge from, that is the problem.
The modern American life breeds this. Reap what you sow.
Try ignoring threats of physical harm from someone you know is nearby. Not so easy to do.
9
Tibetan prayer flags are shown hanging all over the office, in the photo of the Yik Yak founders that accompanies this article. These are symbolic representations of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, teachings of wisdom and compassion. Greed, anger, and delusion, the very antithesis of the teachings, seem to be playing a significantly more prominent role at Yik Yak. Perhaps the flags should come down, and dollar bills should go up?
496
Buddhist flags! Oh Boy! This gets richer by the minute. Who else was floored when they read Droll and Buffington said they created this for "the disenfranchised" Really? Hahahahaha! It's getting deep in here. Better pull your manure boots on. Get real boys.
37
you're killing the messenger
1
Better than hanging dollar bills perhaps they should put up Mitt Romney's vintage photo at Bain where all these masters of the universe are stuffing bills into their mouths and suit pockets?
http://fortune.com/2012/05/30/about-that-bain-capital-photo/
http://fortune.com/2012/05/30/about-that-bain-capital-photo/
2
Wish List: Hateful opinions could be routed to the parents of the unloving yik-yakker.
53
Son, your opinion was routed to me by an unloving yik-yakker. I am proud of you and raising your allowance.
Well, seriously, since offspring can be included on parents' insurance policies until age 26... why not!?
1
I suspect the hate was learned at home, at a young age.
2
'“We made the app for college kids, but we quickly realized it was getting into the hands of high schoolers, and high schoolers were not mature enough to use it,” said Mr. Droll.'
I'd love to know, now that I've read the article, if he was actually saying that with a straight face. The college students in the article don't exactly come across as budding little Aristotles.
I'd love to know, now that I've read the article, if he was actually saying that with a straight face. The college students in the article don't exactly come across as budding little Aristotles.
419
Perhaps Yik Yak should address the notion of lack of respect some of its users seem to have. This being a problem fostered by some of our media. Yik Yak merely allows mass participation in this problem.
6
Breaking: people that can hide behind anonymity say hateful (and stupid) things.
51
And how are we ever, ever going to change that? Slanderous, hateful and stupid anonymous comments are best ignored by all.
1
Sometimes they also say political things that don't sit well with their boss. I still don't want to lose my job for being a Democrat.
3
For a college to block access to a social network app is "arguably tantamount to curtailing freedom of speech"? Hardly. It's a perfectly reasonable condition of admission.
Oops, I forgot - the secondary school system in America is now concerned primarily with the happiness of its students, with their education coming in a distant second.
Oops, I forgot - the secondary school system in America is now concerned primarily with the happiness of its students, with their education coming in a distant second.
138
"Secondary school system" = colleges?
Not how most use the term.
Not how most use the term.
2
Mark,
Conservatives are more concerned about the profit that can be made from privatizing education. Keeping the kids happy keeps them coming, and thus, keeps the dollars flowing.
Conservatives are more concerned about the profit that can be made from privatizing education. Keeping the kids happy keeps them coming, and thus, keeps the dollars flowing.
3
If the secondary school system in America would be concerned with teaching students about the First Amendment, perhaps more people would understand that the correct response to offensive speech is not to suppress it, but even more speech.
And that that would serve society better than the calls for censorship in many of these comments.
And, yes, the First Amendment restricts the government from outlawing 'offensive' speech, as 'offensive' is in the eye of the beholder. Private colleges and universities may do as they wish, although the fact that most colleges are funded by the taxpayers, either directly through grants and tax exemptions or through student loans, does beg the question of where one stops and the other starts.
And that that would serve society better than the calls for censorship in many of these comments.
And, yes, the First Amendment restricts the government from outlawing 'offensive' speech, as 'offensive' is in the eye of the beholder. Private colleges and universities may do as they wish, although the fact that most colleges are funded by the taxpayers, either directly through grants and tax exemptions or through student loans, does beg the question of where one stops and the other starts.
the internet has been destructive for civil discourse. this is just another nail in the coffin.
56
"nail in the coffin" of civil discourse? Oh, please...stop exaggerating.
3
He/she says on the Internet.
1
Yik Yak's founders don't really want to make a more positive community. It's the bad and ugly stuff that attracts eyeballs, just like in the "real world." It's writing on the bathroom wall, except that everyone can see it.
165
And you can't get caught.
5
The use of the app and the content reflect the problems we have as a culture in the US. The app itself only exposes the deeper issues with how people handle their negative emotions.
40
Yik Yak’s founders say their start-up is just experiencing some growing pains. “It’s definitely still a learning process for us,” said Mr. Buffington, “and we’re definitely still learning how to make the community more constructive.”
Yeah, or inflicting stupid pains? What's the point? What exactly is the purpose of Yik Yak---cute name, though. And the app's popular... so, apparently they're just serving a market demand.
Yeah, or inflicting stupid pains? What's the point? What exactly is the purpose of Yik Yak---cute name, though. And the app's popular... so, apparently they're just serving a market demand.
17
"Social" media alright. Time to hold the developers criminally liable for not enforcing basic standards, and, if anti-abuse policies are in the terms of service agreements, that they be held civilly liable liable by victims.
41
Terrible idea to hold app developers civilly or criminally liable. It turns the web into a police state where even the most innocuous post is censored out of concern for remote legal consequences. Is this what we want?
8
It's anti-social media. And it's encouraging incredibly destructive social norms among people. Many are consumed by these doings, both buying into it and by practice. To where the glib reply is, "if you can't take it... you're the problem." I feel sorry for the kids who have been assaulted by these phenomenae. When I was a kid, and later a teacher (at the cusp of this social media inslaught), verbal abuses among kids were bad enough, but to have such "captured" and presented in a media fashion... Used to be a fist fight or rumor... And we worry about ISIS? Seriously.
11
Agree. They, the app owners, need to pay to all anonymously defamed people handsomely. It is already ugly to send someone insulting anonymous letter. But anonymously insulting someone for everyone to read is criminal offense and the enablers are not anonymous. There is very good case here in my opinion.
1
Because we just don't have enough oultets for unfettered nastiness..
246
I am afraid for our future. The founders state that high school students were deemed too immature for their app. It seems to me that their college users are too immature for college. Exaggerated self-importance is for toddlers only.
261
Some l people abusing technology is not the same as everyone abusing technology. You telling us what behavior is fit for only toddlers could be considered exaggerated self-importance.
2
This is just children scribbling idle cruelties and pretending they are somehow protected because they are college students.
Not even Mario Savio would have agreed.
Privileges come with concomitant responsibilities.