Private secrets shared via postcard
Starting back in 2004, when he was working at a suicide prevention hotline, Frank Warren began collecting people's secrets on postcards. About a hundred show up at his home every week, and written on each one is a stranger's secret – a confession of sorts, sent to Warren anonymously.
"I read every postcard. I keep every secret. I think it's a precious and singular archive – an archive of our hidden selves," Warren told "Sunday Morning" correspondent Lee Cowan.
That archive now numbers well over a million secrets, many of which have been shared on his website, PostSecret.com.
Keeper of Secrets
Frank Warren started by soliciting secrets personally. But the idea, and his blog, grew and grew. "I've seen people include a photograph, a collage, drawings," he said. "Sometimes people send me objects, not even postcards. I've received secrets on coconuts, a purse, a license plate frame, a flip flop. You name it, if it fits in my mailbox, somebody's probably mailed it with a confession on it to me."
Postcards
Every Sunday he scans a few, and shares these strangers' secrets on his PostSecret.com site.
Anonymous
PostSecret.com has become one of the most popular ad-free sites in the world, having hosted a staggering 800 million visitors.
Babar
Love
Window
Embarrassment
Birth Mother
Birth Father
Donations
Vegetarian
9/11
Secret Help
Alice
Plumbing
Abuse
Faith
Proposal
Ring
Picture Frame
Imaginary Friends
Stoplights
Suicide Note
Top Gun
Teacher
Never Give Up
No Outlet
Psychiatrist
Revenge
Museum Installation
PostSecret.com has spawned five bestselling books – and several exhibitions, such as this one at the San Diego Museum of Man.
Have a Secret to Share?
To those considering sharing their secrets, PostSecret.com says: "It can be a regret, fear, betrayal, desire, confession or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything, as long as it's true and you have never shared it with anyone before.
"Take a postcard. Or two.
Tell your secret anonymously.
Stamp and mail the postcard.
Tips:
Be brief – the fewer words, the better.
Be legible – Use big, clear and bold lettering.
Be creative – let the postcard be your canvas."
Mail to:
PostSecret
28241 Crown Valley Parkway, #F224
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
or email secret images to:
Frank@PostSecret.com
For more info:
PostSecret.com
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan