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Secrecy can be fostered for many reasons, from ill will to seeking to spare someone’s feelings. And because of that, there is a wide range of how significant or detrimental secrets are; while some have close to no harm or affect, others can really turn someone’s life upside down.
Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ subreddit recently touched upon the topic of secrets, after one of them, a user going by the moniker ‘Necrocharm’, asked them about what would shock everyone if it came into the light. Redditors shared stories, ranging from personal matters to events of a larger scale, so if you’re curious about what they think would cause quite a havoc, wait no longer and scroll down to find the secrets on the list below.
Below you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with a professor of communications at Syracuse University, Makana Chock, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about keeping secrets, as well as with the person who started the thread, u/Necrocharm.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The amount of homophobes that are actually closeted gays.
Not Who You Think 3 months ago
Grindr usage went way, way up in Wisconsin during the Republican National Convention. Just sayin'...
#2
I secretly run a wildly popular OnlyFans account where I just narrate bedtime stories in different accents.
#3
You're in a pyramid scheme, Kathy. You don't own a business.
Immortal Jellyfish 3 months ago
Yes but this is not like those schemes because..................
Discussing the reasons why people choose to keep some things a secret, Professor of Communications at Syracuse University Makana Chock suggested it can give us a competitive advantage—like having grandma’s secret recipe or keeping our mouth shut about a job search until the right moment comes; it can also help protect our own or others’ reputation or to avoid negative consequences caused by our actions.
“We also may keep secrets as a way of maintaining our membership in a group,” Prof. Chock continued. “For example, if most of our friend group support one political candidate, we may keep secret that we voted for their opponent. Or we may attempt to maintain social harmony, by not sharing secrets at the family BBQ.”
#4
How many well respected people are sexual predators.
Little Wonder 3 months ago
And how many are hidden and "open secrets" because there's money to be made off them or their brand.
#5
I love my cat more than anyone else. She always greets me and is happy when I get home from work. Especially when I have a bad day.
Shark Lady 3 months ago
Ditto, my cats are what keeps me fighting. I don't think I'd be here without them.
According to the expert, our decisions about what—and whether—to keep secret are heavily influenced by the perceived negative consequences of sharing certain information, and the benefits of keeping silent. “How much harm could be done to ourselves and those we care about by making some information public? Who would be hurt?”
#6
I hate existing. I just wear a happy mask, not genuinely I'm not happy and I wish assisted suicide was legal in the States and that my family understood how I have no enjoyment in my life. I got out of an inpatient facility a little over a week ago and found out I'm on the spectrum, and while I'm on meds now, while I'm aware it takes time -- the only thing I'm really holding on for is my family. My mom would probably follow me so I'm stuck living as though I'm starting to get better. It's honestly exhausting.
#7
The amount of people hiding an addiction, whatever that is to them. D***s, alcohol, food, gambling, p**n, sex, watching/following sports… even “healthy” things like exercise, meditation or whatever.
I am beginning to believe that our reward system in our brains have been so hijacked by modern day that we don’t even realize it, and we feel lesser or powerless over time as we dwell on our specific thing.
#8
I don't actually know what I am doing at work. I have no qualifications or previous work experience in the field. I just wing it every day and seem to get results
Edit: Because so many of you are asking what my job is, I will tell you. I'm currently the operations manager at the biggest sawmill in the area.
The only job I had before this was washing dishes at a care home.
I didn't lie on my resume, I guess they just liked me.
Chicken Nugget 3 months ago
...well i mean under your management nobody's gotten their limbs sawed off... right?
According to Prof. Chock, there are sometimes conflicting consequences from keeping secrets. “People may feel betrayed or angry that you’ve hidden (or revealed) information from (or about) them. Particularly if you are keeping secrets about others.
“For example, you’re friends with a couple and one of them is cheating. Your brother dropped out of school and doesn’t want your parents to know. Keeping secrets can involve a complicated algorithm of weighing consequences and ethical considerations.”
#9
If my grandfather dies (virtually knocking on the wood) today I will inherit all of his property and money.
He showed me his last will with his attorney.
I think my parents and uncles might k*ll me if they find out
Context:
When my granddad suffered from kidney failure, no one visited him except me. The reason is that he had many mistresses and still drank heavily when he was 75 to 80, which made his children hate him. Also, they have their own lives. From the day he was diagnosed with cancer until today, I have visited and taken care of him every day.
My parents kicked me out of the house for being a party-goer and wanting to arrange my marriage at a young age (I was 19 back then and a female). I ran away for one month, but when I returned, they officially kicked me out. That’s when I told my grandfather. He gave me a lump sum of money to start over, so I went back to university and rented an apartment near his place.
When I graduated this year, he called a meeting with his attorney and me. That’s when they told me that I will inherit all of his assets, including the ranch, his cars, basically everything he owns, and his real estate/construction business. When they asked me what will I do with the money I told them that my experiences when I run away when I was 19 opened my eyes to everything that’s happening within our city. It made me realize how hard life is. I use to have 5 cad for 1 week and I have to stretch it out. Most people would think homeless people are dangerous but they are not, unless you provoke them or they are defending themselves.
My plan when I receive the money is to put half a million each towards
- red road healing society
- hope mission in Edmonton
- Edmonton addiction youth services
- WAEC woman shelter
This has been noted on our meeting and currently working on it with his attorney.
EDIT: Hi everyone, thank you for your input and advice! I did mention this to my granddad’s attorney, and for legal purposes, he said I wasn’t supposed to post anything regarding this, lol. I’m just an excited 22-year-old female who wants to make a difference in my community because I have experienced it for about a month. I know how hard it is, and it excites me to think about how many people I know around that area who would be happy to finally have a shelter!! Thank you everyone. Wish me luck!
DEW 3 months ago
I wish you all the luck in the World! My Uncle never married and for years said he was leaving all his money to his younger sister. He is one of 6 kids. Now he got mad at her and now is giving his house and money to his neighbor because they bring him dinner everyday. They brought over an attorney last year for him to sign for paperwork. All he does is talk about his money. He can take his money , rings and watches and shove them where the sun doesn't shine. I could go up there to his house and bring him dinner and desserts but I don't want his money nor anything else from him. He is a very evil man who only can talk about his wealth. Sorry it's just gross to me. Be nice to me and I will give you money. No thank you!!
#10
How close the world actually is to an all out apocalyptic war at every given second.
Annik Perrot 3 months ago
Oh, believe me, many of us are very aware of that, but there's f*ck all we can do about it.
Discussing secrecies of a larger scale, such as government secrets, Dr. Makana Chock pointed out that they might sometimes be essential. “Revealing the details of a prisoner exchange before it’s finalized could jeopardize the negotiations. They can’t reveal troop movements that could put lives in danger. But as some legal cases have revealed (for instance, Watergate), the definition of ‘national security’ has sometimes been stretched to include reputational damage to specific administrations or individuals.”
#12
The Mormon church is a front to a $100,000,000,000 hedge fund specialized in real estate. They use fear tactics to force their cult members to donate 10% of their income and then funnel that ecclesiastical donation through shell companies in order to grow that fund. They've recently been fined by the SEC $5,000,000 for this.
Edit: f****d up the number. Increased. Actuals above $100B are pure speculation due to the lack of transparency.
#13
I spend most of my day doom scrolling and pad my hours because my work doesn’t take as long as people think it should.
Yet, my boss and team love me and always compliment me on how hardworking I am.
The only Plueschopossum 3 months ago
Work smarter, not harder ;) If you deliver good work anyway, there's no problem.
#14
I used to work in politics as an assistant, and between ourselves, we talk. We talk about who sexually assaulted us and when and how. We'll never come out with the sh*t, because these are very dangerous people to out by the nature of the field, but there's a lot of politicians out there who should count their blessings that we're scared. I've heard names whispered in confidence that would destroy people if spoken out loud.
In a recent interview with Bored Panda, the user ‘Necrocharm’ shared that they were curious about the kinds of deep, hidden truths people might be holding onto; that’s why they decided to start the thread.
“We all have secrets, but some of them are so significant or shocking that they could change our entire perception of a person or situation if they were ever revealed. I wanted to see what kinds of things people might be willing to share anonymously, and it turns out there's a lot people are keeping to themselves.”
#15
That I was addicted to m*th for almost 4 years, and no one knew. But I overcame addiction with my gf that I’ve been with for 10 years almost, by ourselves. 🤘🏻.
#16
I once discovered that a close family friend, who everyone believed was a retired teacher, was actually in witness protection for testifying against a major crime syndicate. It blew my mind and completely changed how I viewed them and their 'quiet' life.
#17
I never turned in my 4th grade writing assignment. I just stuffed it in my desk incomplete and ignored it. The teacher never said anything. I’m 38 and I think about that way too much.
Discussing what secrets would likely shock everyone the most if they were to come into the light, the OP emphasized that it’s hard to pinpoint exact secrets. “But I imagine that the most shocking ones are those that involve people who we think we know well, like family, close friends, or even public figures,” they said.
“For example, discovering that someone has been living a double life, has a hidden criminal past, or has done something that goes against their public persona would definitely be shocking. These are the kinds of things that could completely change how we view someone.”
#18
Though it's been public knowledge for nearly 10 years now, people are still shocked when I tell them that every single bit of data, every phone call, and every electronic communication that enters the N America or Europe is captured by US and EU intelligence agencies. This practice predates the internet, going all the way back to the advent of long distance calling in the US. This is called the Echelon Surveillance network and was confirmed to exist by the Edward Snowden.
#19
When I was still a virgin I went to a Punk concert in London on vacation...ended up talking to the girls of the band, got along and went to a 'club' with them. Turned out to be a staircase in the industrial complex leading down, down, down...to a dominatrix dungeon party.
I had the time of my life stepping on guys who were begging for it, some were actually super cute.
My friends would never guess that. I even let one of the men pay me 300 pounds to let 'April', a fem male sub who works there as a stripper, give me a lapdance in the back rooms on a suspicious leather couch.
Nowadays I'm still looking for a cute sub or switch male. That experience really brought out the beast in me lol.
#20
The amount of information that our own United States government tracks and keeps of us forever
EDIT:
Since for whatever reason this has high visibility and people don't agree with this statement, go find and read this Wikipedia article on the Utah Data Center
Thomas Grant 3 months ago
Its amazing how often people will ignore ACTUAL facts becuase it doesnt fit with their premade ideas. Government all track. The UK has the highest coverage of CCTV in the world. The US has been proved to track their citizens (honestly not too sure about how other countries monitoring works haha). Main point, this is a fact. Its like trying to disagree that clouds exist by not looking up.
“The responses were both fascinating and a bit unsettling,” the redditor continued, revealing what they thought of the response the thread received from the online community. “I was surprised by the sheer variety of secrets people are holding onto: everything from personal regrets and hidden identities to dark family secrets and past crimes. What surprised me the most was how open people were in sharing these things, even though they were doing so anonymously. It really shows the power of platforms like Reddit, where people feel safe enough to reveal things they might never tell anyone in their real lives.”
#21
The last puppy I brought home I told my family it was just left by the dumpster at Walmart but really someone was giving it away and pressured me to take it.
#22
None of the sky daddy's are real.
Billions of people would have an epiphany.
#23
So many years ago my husband and I were hosting my family at our home. The plan was burgers and all the standard "summer sides", think fruit, salads, chips, ice cream for dessert. My grandma for whatever reason requested HOMEMADE potato salad. My grandma was a saint and didn't make outlandish requests often, if ever, so I did plan to accommodate her request. Unfortunately life was crazy busy leading up to the get together date and ultimately I didn't have the time/energy/supplies to make home made pasta salad. So instead of coming clean I decided to run to the grocery that had a decent deli and get their loaded baked potato salad, it was a little bit more elaborate ingredients wise then the standard potato salad. I put it in one of our glass bowls with a lid and served it as my own. No one questioned it.
Now years later, grandma has since passed, my family will request that I make my homemade potato that grandma loved for potlucks. I don't have the heart to tell them it's store bought.
If these secrets have awakened your curiosity about what things some people would rather those around them didn’t know, continue next to this list of deeply disturbing secrets people have found out about someone or these dark secrets individuals wanted to get off their chest themselves.
#24
4 out of 5 dentists don’t recommend trident.
#25
The whole world economy is over leveraged to the max. GDP growth can't keep up with inflation. It's a house of cards and when they start falling the human cost will be immeasurable.
#26
My mom has a secret child. She doesn't know I know.
#27
I didn't pass my exam, and I no longer have my scholarship. But I'm working to pay my tuition.
#28
How easy it is to lose everything with your bad password habits.
Enuya 3 months ago (edited)
If someone would hack into my bank account, they'd probably have bigger problem than me. I have almost nothing to steal and maybe even would get some compensation money out of it. The thief would risk jail time, reputation and job. (Just kidding, I know that there's more at risk than money)
#29
I’m a married “straight” man. My wife is the only one who knows that I’m bisexual. She’s supportive too.
#30
That I can’t cook, but I’ve mastered the art of convincing people that takeout is gourmet.
What's a secret that you think would shock everyone if it came out?
Multa Nocte 3 months ago
These became less likely and/or more silly as the list went on. Does no one at BP read these before posting them?
General Anaesthesia 3 months ago
A click is a click in yellow/tabloid "journalism"".
Load More Replies...
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 3 months ago
I have a secret. I'm not really two cats and a soft can-opener all rolled into one. Don't tell anyone, especially Bouche and Audi.
Bat cat in a hat 3 months ago
Yeah right, that's exactly what two cats and a soft can-opener rolled into one would say!
Load More Replies...
Multa Nocte 3 months ago
These became less likely and/or more silly as the list went on. Does no one at BP read these before posting them?
General Anaesthesia 3 months ago
A click is a click in yellow/tabloid "journalism"".
Load More Replies... Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 3 months ago
I have a secret. I'm not really two cats and a soft can-opener all rolled into one. Don't tell anyone, especially Bouche and Audi.
Bat cat in a hat 3 months ago
Yeah right, that's exactly what two cats and a soft can-opener rolled into one would say!
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