April 8, 2002

12:36 AM

exso - Epinions for ex-significant others? This public service (?) gives you a forum to tell your ex and the world how you rate him/her -- wonder if this can be used for good and not evil. They also offer interesting e-cards to send to your ex. The site seems pretty new, but would you use it?
posted by lnicole (9 comments total)

Why not include sexual encounters and dates? That way the site could alert you to any diseases, even ex post facto: "You have crabs!"
posted by maschnitz at 1:00 AM on April 8, 2002

Wow. What a weird site, though in a way I'm surprised I haven't seen something like this sooner. On first glance I thought it was funny, but then started thinking about how I'd feel if I saw myself up there (don't get any ideas, bingo). Overall, it seems designed for hurting people—even though some of the reviews had nice things to say, the site is a new kid on the web and has plenty of time to get ugly.
posted by gutenberg at 1:27 AM on April 8, 2002

And it actually uses last names, locations, and photos. I think something like this is inevitable, but I doubt this version will last. Seems the only way to do it is a set-up similar to the hot-or-not system, in which the person being rated has to post his/her own name first, giving permission for others to rate and discuss. Otherwise, people are going to start stalking the ones with the good reviews (and with the bad reviews, for that matter).

gutenberg: you'd score pretty high anyway ;)
posted by bingo at 2:01 AM on April 8, 2002

ah, shucks.
posted by gutenberg at 2:08 AM on April 8, 2002

Are you f**king KIDDING me?

This is just about the worst thing I've ever seen. I mean, really: RATING people as partners? The mind boggles yet again.

Hope it results in a big fat lawsuit for those ex-so chumps.
posted by Aphex Kid at 10:23 AM on April 8, 2002

yeah, lawsuit was the first thing that entered my mind too.
posted by dobbs at 10:28 AM on April 8, 2002

Well, I at first couldn't believe that this site was for real; but it appears so. However, looking through it, there aren't very many entries--random searches on age groups (24-29 and 30-35) for both California and Washington State resulted in exactly one match. The other interesting (okay, only semi-interesting) thing is how old some of these breakups are--people are, it seems, posting "reviews" of relationships that ended as far back as '85. Surely a statue of limitations applies? Maybe? If you treat someone badly when you are in your early twenties, do you get to read about it on the web 17 years later? Argh.
posted by jokeefe at 10:49 AM on April 8, 2002

I think everyone will behave like angels, after all, you have to click through the disclaimer which states:

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless exso, its subsidiaries and any other affiliated companies, and their employees, contractors, officers and directors from any and all liabilities, claims and expenses, including attorney's fees, that arise from your use or misuse of this site.

After all, don't disclaimers solve all of the world's problems?
posted by jaden at 11:18 AM on April 8, 2002

Rodii:
looks - 3.5
intelligence - 2
bedroom skills - 4
posted by Settle at 3:54 PM on April 8, 2002