PostSecret was launched at a time where blogging communities just began to thrive.  This blog traveled unchartered territory to introduce a new method of self-disclosure.  By taking advantage of the ability to post and share anonymously online, PostSecret became a haven for secrets to live infinitely in cyberspace.  The secrets had no chance of being linked to their disclosers and could only be identified if the author wanted it to be.  This opportunity was phenomenal in that it was an outlet for self-disclosure that was still blossoming.

Interpersonal communication has always been at the forefront of the human experience.  People must interact with one another in order to build relationships, alliances, and communities (Bailey, Abigail).  When interacting with others to create a bond, individuals practice self-disclosure.  In the late 1980s, Altman and Taylor developed the Social Penetration Theory, which examined, the process of self-disclosure and gradually sharing oneself ("Self-Disclosure: Social Penetration").  People build networks with those whom they share personal information. 
Individuals come together through revealing facts and stories with each other.  Those who are strong communicators are more cautious and choose their disclosures prudently.  The risk of scrutiny and judgment from peers is influential in the level of trust a person will confide in another.  People must have enough trust to peel back the necessary layers to self disclose as a part of social penetration ("Self-Disclosure: Social Penetration").

Trust is acquired and strengthened over a long period of time through actions that prove solidarity and loyalty from another.  Attempts to establish bonds can often fail due to the tainted nature of humanity through deceit and dishonesty.  Negative encounters with betrayal or fear of rejection is dissuasive of sharing intimate details.  People cannot always allow themselves to trust in other to share secrets and suffer the burden of their truths as a result.  PostSecret offers the
perfect solution by eliminating the chance for judgment by eliminating face-to-face contact and offering anonymity.  Abigail Bailey analyzed the way that this anonymity on PostSecret has affected interpersonal communication and applies the Social Penetration Theory to her research.

As evidenced by the booming success of PostSecret, anonymity has been essential.  Though participation in the project has always been voluntary, people have been generous in donating their time and effort by either sharing secrets or frequenting the blog.  Contributions enabled PostSecret to post over 2,500 secrets in the first two years of operation.  Such exposure enabled the PostSecret community to grow to 80,000 members since its inception.  Many of the members are younger in age and according to the Youth Trends’ report for Febrauary 2008, PostSecret was the 10^th most popular site for female students in America (“Student Noses Buried in Facebooks”).  Readers and secret posters alike have contributed to the continued success of the blog but it has been the ingenuity of Frank Warren who has created this utopia.    

The purpose of PostSecret is upheld by the artistic foundation to the structure supporting the secrets people willingly share.  People are able to share the stories of their lives that torment them with their intimacy.  The stories are told in fragmented selections of self-disclosure.  Others are then able to identify with the secrets because they are faceless and relatable.  The personality behind every secret is depicted in the handcrafting of each secret and ultimately establishes trust (Poletti, A.).  People have felt the relief of sharing a secret and learning from the secrets of others.  Although many people find the readers to be voyeuristic in nature, curiosity may be quenched and coping mechanisms can be learned through others examples of self-acceptance (Bailey, Abigail).  The readers and posters stand in anonymous solidarity and have established a community that has surpassed the layers necessary for people to disclose their deepest and darkest secrets with a sense of therapeutic bliss.

Fortunately, with the expanding influence and exposure to blogs, more people will begin to make PostSecret a part of their social network.  The readers of PostSecret have already cultivated a well-established network.  As previously stated, there are over 80,000 people who actively participate in the PostSecret Community Chat, which is a collection of message board forums.  The forums are categorized by discussion topics including “Best Of,” “PostSecret Events,” and deeper topics including “Secrets of Mental Health” and “Secrets of the LGBTQ Community” ("PostSecret Community Chat Forum").  The conversations cover an array of issues people face and often discuss the influence secrets have had on their personal lives and coping.  My study will examine the perception people have of secrecy as evidenced through the content of conversations on the message boards fostering PostSecret’s community.