About the project

Tell the Universe

A tiny cosmic message board where thoughts drift like stars — anonymous, moderated, and designed as a quiet alternative to algorithmic feeds.

Anonymous by design No account, no profile, no public identity layer.
Short posts, open replies Floating posts stay concise. Reply threads allow more space.
Cosmic but curated The platform stays open in tone, yet moderated for quality and depth.
Overview

What it is

Tell the Universe is a playful, minimalist space to let go of a thought. You post a short message, it becomes a floating glowing star, and visitors watch a living constellation of human snippets drift through space.

The project combines restraint and atmosphere: a limited post format, a quiet visual language, and an interface that invites reflection rather than speed.

Recent evolution

Latest updates

  • 🖼️ Image uploads added: posts and replies can now include one optional JPG or PNG image.
  • 💬 Reply features added: each floating post can open its own dedicated page for responses, and floating posts now show X replies once a thread exists.
  • 📤 Share as image added: floating posts can now be shared as an image, for example on social media.
  • 🌠 Shooting-star rating: tap the star on a post to give it a shooting star.
Core principles

DOGMA of Tell the Universe

  • Full anonymity: the platform is fully anonymous. No data is generated or stored that would allow a user to be identified.
  • Floating posts: floating posts are limited to 100 characters and may include one image upload in PNG or JPEG format, with a maximum file size of 5 MB and a displayed size of 150 × 150 pixels.
  • Replies: replies to posts are not subject to a text character limit. Image uploads are also supported, subject to the same file restrictions of PNG or JPEG format and a maximum size of 5 MB, and are displayed at 500 × 500 pixels.
  • Moderation: all content on the platform is moderated by a board of qualified moderators. The aim is to maintain a high standard of quality and depth.
  • Sharing: the platform includes features such as shareable floating posts as images and fixed URLs via the reply function, allowing content to travel beyond the platform itself.
  • Guiding idea: we follow the idea that “we need an antidote to the algorithm — a cabinet of curiosities,” a concept proposed, for example, by Alexander Kluge.
Mechanics

How it works

  • Write a short message and submit it. It becomes a floating post in the universe.
  • You can also add one optional image via Add image. JPG and PNG files up to 5 MB are supported.
  • Posts can be text-only, image-only, or both.
  • Images appear below the text in floating posts and open the dedicated reply page when clicked.
  • If a post has no replies yet, it shows a Reply button.
  • Once a thread has started, the floating post shows X replies instead.
  • On the reply page, visitors can write longer responses, add an image, and see the reply appear immediately after sending.
Handling data

Privacy & data

  • No account is needed; there are no public user profiles.
  • Post text is stored for display, so avoid sharing sensitive personal data.
  • Uploaded images attached to posts or replies are stored publicly as part of that content, so only upload images you are comfortable sharing publicly.
  • Replies are stored together with their parent posts so threads can be displayed.
  • Shooting-star ratings store a count per post and use a hashed IP check to reduce repeated voting. Raw IPs are not stored for this purpose.
  • Basic server logs may exist briefly for security and maintenance.

Need something removed? Use the contact details on the Imprint page and include the text plus the approximate posting time.

Technical setup

Tech bits

  • Frontend: vanilla JavaScript with floating post rendering, image previews, and a canvas-based universe background.
  • Backend: lightweight PHP endpoints with upload validation for image attachments.
  • Storage: SQLite for posts, replies, image metadata, and rating counts, plus public image files on the server.
  • Layout: floating cards with inline metadata such as date, stars, replies, share actions, and optional images.
Governance

Moderation

Content that is illegal, hateful, harassing, doxxing, or spam-like may be removed. The project is intended as a calm, open space for brief thoughts and responses.

The aim is not volume for its own sake, but a distinctive and meaningful stream of messages.

Common questions

FAQ

What is Tell the Universe? It is an anonymous, moderated message board where short floating posts drift through a cosmic interface.
Do I need an account? No. There is no sign-up, no profile, and no public identity layer.
How long can a floating post be? Floating posts are limited to 100 characters.
Can I add an image? Yes. Posts and replies can each include one optional JPG or PNG image up to 5 MB.
Can a post contain only an image? Yes. Posts can be text-only, image-only, or a combination of both.
Can I reply to any post? Yes. Each post can open its own dedicated reply page where longer responses can be submitted.
Do replies appear immediately? Yes. After submitting, the reply appears directly on the reply page below the original post.
Why does a post sometimes show “Reply” and sometimes “X replies”? “Reply” appears before any responses exist. Once a thread has started, the post shows the number of replies instead.
Is the platform really anonymous? It is designed to be fully anonymous for users, but you should still avoid posting sensitive personal information in public content.
How can I request removal of a post or reply? Use the contact details on the Imprint page and include the text plus the approximate posting time.