Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are flooded with posts about the good, the bad and the ugly — but one website gives users “the dirty.”
The Dirty is a self-proclaimed gossip and satire site where users post pictures, often of drunken women in various states of undress, along with captions containing insults and rumors.
Captions are addressed to the site’s owner, Nik Richie, who responds with criticism such as “Her face actually looks exactly like my foot.” Site visitors, called “The Dirty Army,” then comment on the post, adding more scandalous comments.
The site gained notoriety for its release of nude photos of California beauty queen Carrie Prejean in 2009, but it’s also famous for commentary on non-celebrities, particularly college students.
International studies senior Alexis Blanch fell victim to the site in December, when an anonymous post made fun of her looks and friendships.
“The initial shock was probably the most emotional part for me,” Blanch said. “I may have bawled crying for the first 45 minutes.”
Blanch said her boyfriend notified her of the post and she immediately called her friends in search of the culprit.
A friend of Blanch’s, business senior Mary Elise Schlesinger, denounced “The Dirty Army,” by commenting under the post and declaring her friend’s innocence.
“When she called me crying, I realized she was really hurt over this,” Schlesinger said. “I would put myself on the line to protect her from something like that.”
Schlesinger said she suspects a former friend of both her and Blanch posted the photo. She said Blanch was an easy target since she frequented bars in Tigerland.
Blanch said she is content not knowing who posted her photo, but said she is frustrated by the lack of factual basis the site requires from its users.
“I really don’t have much of a problem with who wrote [the post],” Blanch said. “The problem is the man who runs it.”
Blanch said she decided not to take legal action against The Dirty. She said she requested her photo be removed, but she received no response from the site.
Site owner Richie, whose real name is Hooman Karamian, has been featured on shows such as “Dr. Phil” and “Anderson,” Anderson Cooper’s daytime talk show, where he defended his site as a reputable media source.
“I’m waking up the world, because if my site wasn’t around, you would have people saying whatever they want,” Richie said in an interview with Cooper.
Blanch said she despises Richie for misrepresenting the site as a contribution to the greater good.
“It’s slander,” Blanch said. “Don’t try to pretend you’re doing good.”
Sociology professor Wesley Shrum called the site “modern gossip.” He said people will continue to post on sites like The Dirty as means of confrontation without consequence, but sites like this are unlikely to sustain themselves.
“We exaggerate the impact of these sites. They come up for a little and then they disappear,” Shrum said. “We haven’t seen a website that can be considered the Facebook of gossip.”
Blanch, who said she has accepted the reality of her stint on The Dirty, said she still experiences paranoia.
“I would be fine if someone came and asked me if I was on The Dirty, but it’s the looks that make me wonder if I’m being recognized,” Blanch said.
Katie McGee-Barras, assistant dean of students and associate director of Student Advocacy & Accountability, said the disciplinary implications for using a site like The Dirty may vary. Students who post using University computers or post images of a person without consent could be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
“You have to be mindful,” McGee-Barras said. “Think before you post.”
 
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Contact David Jones at [email protected]