Post Secret: Humanitarian art project, or exploiting the isolation of others for financial gain?

I used to be a fan of the Post Secret site, and checked it weekly for a couple of years. I began to notice how many tours, books etc. the site's owner does, and I began to wonder. Is it an art project or just a way to make money from the isolation and pain of others and the voyeurism of the readers, while making the project's originator feel better about his own life?





I could be totally wrong and I hope I am.


Discuss.Post Secret: Humanitarian art project, or exploiting the isolation of others for financial gain?
Wow, great question. It reminds me of a Friends episode where they explored, ';There are no selfless acts.'; Meaning, it is impossible to help someone without the helper getting something in return, therefore making the act self serving.





I too, have wondered...the photographer that goes to a third world country and takes pictures of kids starving to death, only to publish a book and make tons of money off it........isn't he exploiting the kids?





After years of thoughts, and thousands of examples, I decided no. It is possible to ';use'; those less fortunate, which results in personal gain, without it being exploitation.





The site you mention, Post Secret, is very interesting. Did the guy invent it in an attempt to become the next ';dot com millionaire?'; Probably. But he might have created it because he really cares about helping people. If accidentally becomes rich in the process, all the better.





We'll never know. Only God can see into his heart. And that is where and answer to your question lies. In the heart of the person doing the good deed.





People that donate ten million dollars to a college and get a huge building named after them....are pretty self serving. The person that makes an anonymous donation, regardless of the amount, is the person with a good heart.





It is a fine line. The Post Secret guy is milking this for all its worth. We can't see into his heart, but it appears he is helping people. That is a good thing.





Peace.