Who's Behind 'Stuff GW People Like'? An Interview with the Author

For her, it started as just a screen name, a gateway to follow friends on the growing blog site Tumblr. Little did she know, this screen name would spark a whole new arena of GW gossip. The inspiration for “Stuff GW People Like” struck while a freshman student (who asked to remain anonymous) was waiting lazily at the airport for her flight.

“When I was at the airport I just made a huge list of things that I thought were funny,” she said. “Up until this point, I have been following that same list for the most part.”

Stuff GW People Like has become a GW centerpiece, sparking conversation, curiosity, and controversy. This has all fed the question; who is behind the idea and the conversation?

The writer, who has asked to remain anonymous, has kept her blog separate from other aspects of her life.

“My friends who do know I write it always tell me about kids in their classes who were talking about the blog” she said.

Now, as the blog has reached more than 450 followers on Tumblr, and 1,200 on Facebook, her motivations about the website remain the same; to keep writing until there is nothing more to write about.

“I will keep it going until I really, really run out of ideas,” she confesses. “I don’t really have a plan for the future.”

The reaction to the sardonic swipes at GW culture have not been completely well-recieved. From articles in the The Hatchet to private messages sent to her inbox, some students have voiced an opposition.

“I think it is offensive,” said Christopher Ricketson, a sophomore. “It is taking all of the bad things about GW and making them public to the world.”

Others have been quick to criticize her anonymity.

“I think the blog is funny, but I have no idea who is writing it,” said Melissa Yarmis, a freshman living in Thurston. “It is just weird because the person goes here and we have no idea who he or she is.”

Criticism has peppered the discussion, but according to the creator, she has been happy with the feedback.

“One of the first comments I got was from a girl who told me to basically stop bitching,” she said. But “I get a lot of messages from people and most of them are really good. “

Even though the blog has stirred lots of discussion, good and bad, the writer understands why it is a staple of the GW community and beyond.

“Everyone can understand it,” she said pointing out that she has followers from many states and universities. “I think people see themselves in it a lot.”

Although we may not know what she will post next, one thing is for sure, the blog will continue to fuel discussion for several semesters to come.

“I like GW. I like going here and I am really lucky to be here,” she said. “But like anything there is always stuff to make fun of. I just do it through the best way I know how.”