There seems to be a constant obsession with celebrities' lives. With publications and shows like "TMZ", People and The National Inquirer, access to all of the "juicy gossip" is right at the consumer's fingertips. But when local, everyday people are the subject of such ridicule and speculation, the gossip might become overkill. TheDirty.com is a site where local people from many major cities and colleges become objects to be ridiculed and judged. "I know that they claim to be the first reality life blog," said Tiffany Rogers, 20, an English major at Cosumnes River College. "Anyone can post any kind of picture on the site with any type of accusation about the person in the photograph. Anyone can comment on the picture." People usually are displayed at a moment where they are doing acts that would diminish their character in others' eyes. It is also a way to anonymously talk badly about someone that you don't like. "I think theDirty.com is a way for people to let out their jealousy and anger," said Kyle McGill, 25, a math major. "I feel like it is a waste of time and immature." Although some might feel that it is a negative site, others do not see the harm in this. "I just think it's funny," said Jashneel Singh, 20, a civil engineering major. "It's fun to make fun of people." Some of those who have been on the Dirty said they can find the Web site amusing. "I think it's entertaining when it's not you," Rogers said. "But who doesn't?" Even though there is no consensus on the appropriateness of the Web site, there are those who have been on theDirty.com who do feel that this is a negative place. "I have been on theDirty.com about five times," Rogers said. "One time, they posted a picture from my go-go group and talked about how fat and ugly we were. That was the worst." The site seems to ridicule women mostly for their weight, breast size and their attractiveness. The comments about men tend to mock the men's sexuality or their girlfriends. Rogers said the site does not accurately portray the people on there. "They said I was fat and I need to workout and to put down the cheeseburgers," Rogers said. "If those people knew me, they would know I work out five times a week. I don't even like cheeseburgers!" Even some who enjoy the site are skeptical to the validity of the claims made. "I don't know if it's accurate because I don't know everyone's story," McGill said. "I'm sure it's just people taking out their anger and jealousy on someone else." TheDirty.com has had quite a bit of backlash from the communities that they highlight on their page. There is currently a lawsuit against the Dirty filed by a single mother who had her picture posted on the site. She said she felt suicidal after all of the remarks made about her. The comments on the Dirty might not seem too harsh, but there's a code to the words. "They call Asian girls 'Noodles,'" Singh said. "And when girls need bigger boobs, they say she needs a 'plus 2.'" The creator of the Dirty, Nik Richie, is also the one who created the code of the site. It is not publicized why he made the site or what he feels to accomplish by having this kind of page. "Have you seen the guy?" Rogers said. "He is ugly! He talks about how he would never get near these beautiful girls, but none of them would want to get near him. I think that he is insecure and feeds off of the drama created by his site." There is a lot of drama that is brought into the comments and pages of the Web site. But it seems to many students that the drama translates back into their lives. "People get mad when they're on the Dirty," Singh said. "All I know is that I better not be on there, or it'll be a problem." If a picture is posted on the Web site without the subject's consent, they are able to email the site and request that it be taken off and the request will be honored. Even with the negative speculation about the Web site, the Dirty continues to peak the interest of users. "Honestly people love to hate this site," Rogers said. "I hate it but still continue to look at it. If this site were to get shut down it another one just like it would pop up in no time. People love being able to talk trash with no consequences."
Obsession with gossip drives the Dirty
Published: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Updated: Monday, April 19, 2010 03:04
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