Yelp For People To Launch In November

HughPickens.com writes: Caitlin Dewey reports in the Washington Post that 'Peeple' — basically Yelp, but for humans will launch in November. Subtitled "character is destiny," Peeple is an upcoming app that promises to "revolutionize the way we're seen in the world through our relationships" by allowing you to assign reviews of one to five stars to everyone you know: your exes, your co-workers, the old guy who lives next door. You can't opt out — once someone puts your name in the Peeple system, it's there unless you violate the site's terms of service. And you can't delete bad or biased reviews — that would defeat the whole purpose. "People do so much research when they buy a car or make those kinds of decisions," says co-founder Julia Cordray. "Why not do the same kind of research on other aspects of your life?"

According to Caitlin, one does not have to stretch far to imagine the distress and anxiety that such a system will cause even a slightly self-conscious person; it's not merely the anxiety of being harassed or maligned on the platform — but of being watched and judged, at all times, by an objectifying gaze to which you did not consent. "If you're one of the people who miss bullying kids in high school, then Peeple is definitely going to be the app for you!," says Mike Morrison. "I'm really looking forward to being able to air all of my personal grievances, all from the safety of my phone. Thanks to the app, I'll be able to potentially ruin someone's life, without all the emotional stress that would occur if I actually try to fix the problem face-to-face."

Comments

Let's get this out of the way

[smooth wombat]

What could possibly go wrong?

Re:Let's get this out of the way

[willworkforbeer]

I think I just crashed the Peeple server with my submission about Bobby Tables.

Re:Let's get this out of the way

[AmiMoJo]

Correct. The plan is to create a massively controversial site that millions will rush to in order to check their own profiles, slander their enemies and astroturf themselves. Owners rake in advertising revenue, then shut down once the lawsuits become impossible to ignore and walk away rich.

Re:Let's get this out of the way

[gstoddart]

I believe you've just demonstrated the point .... the ability for random people to review other people without their consent is going to lead to libel and slander.

You can't just say "well, someone reviewed you, tough".

This is going to lead to lawsuits and all sorts of crap. What an idiotic thing to be building. I just don't see this being anything other than a series of bad outcomes, all because someone thinks they have a business model.

Trusting the founder of an app who stands to make money from it telling us this will be used responsibly is like having an oil company tell us there will be no spills .. you simply can't trust them to be doing anything other than serving their own interests.

"positivity app for positive people" is a nice slogan, but it's competely bullshit.

Re:Let's get this out of the way

[j2.718ff]

Is it true that Bennet Hasselton smokes crack and molests children?

I'm not saying it's true, I'm just asking questions.

I read the article, and apparently, only positive reviews are visible for a person until that person signs up. Fortunately, I suspect there's a workaround... continuing with your example:

Of all the accused crack-smoking child molesters, Bennet Hasselton is by far the best!

Re:Let's get this out of the way

[WillAffleckUW]

I rated Bennet Hasselton 5 stars in Professional "delivered crack to children in a professional and timely manner"

My first review of Julia Cordray

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

My first review of Julia Cordray on Peeple:

"Peeple co-founder Julia Cordray is a greedy bitch who sees noting wrong with a platform that allows reliable, anonymous character assassination. I have it on good authority that she also has sex with dogs while smoking crack and watching kiddie porn."

Re:My first review of Julia Cordray

[Archangel Michael]

You should modify it to say In My Opinion, because your opinion is free speech. Hearsay "I have it on good authority" means that they can compel your source in court, when suing you for liable or slander. And if you are knowingly spreading false reports (made up shit) you are subject to libel and slander tort.

In My Opinion, Peeple co-founder Julia Cordray is a greedy bitch who sees noting wrong with a platform that allows unreliable, anonymous character assassination. She is a worthless twat and a horrible human being who cares nothing for her fellow humans.

Obligatory Jeff Goldblum...

[Austerity Empowers]

[social network entrepreneurs] were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should

This is truly a terrible idea that can serve no good end except to that segment of the population that judges itself on popularity through conformance. My HOA would love this. I can't wait until this starts being used on job interviews.

I for one intended to get out my personality pink plastic flamingos and get ready for the apocalypse.

This should be fun

[Anonymous Coward]

"once someone puts your name in the Peeple system, it's there unless you violate the site's terms of service"

Can't wait to violate me some terms of service!

Originally "Festival Mobile App"

[willworkforbeer]

"says Mike Morrison. "I'm really looking forward to being able to air all of my personal grievances, all from the safety of my phone."

Let the airing of grievances begin! It's a Festivus miracle!

All You Need To Know About Peeple

[Anonymous Coward]

...is right here in this screenshot. Irony alert.

FaceYelp predicted by Cracked.com in 2012

[tepples]

"FaceYelp" was predicted by Randall Marsh of Cracked.com in 2012. Cracked.com later ran an entire Photoplasty contest of online customer reviews for people.

The downside is that it would make life very hard for people on the autistic spectrum in a world of people who don't understand the autistic spectrum.

Trillions to whoever figures it out.

[trout007]

I doubt these people have the answer but whoever can figure this out will be rich beyond belief. The real problem with this idea is it seems like it's like Yelp which just accepts and store reviews. That is pretty meaningless in real life. There are people in my life who seem to be well loved by many but I can't stand. On the flip side there are some real jerks that I get along with fine depending on what we are doing. Going fishing is great but working on a project not so much.

The real goal would be something like the Netflix recommendation algorithm. If I get along with someone it should see who else that person gets along with and I may get along with them even if not too many other people like them. And that is just for one type of activity and it's not always a one - one relationship.