If there’s been one thing that we’ve missed as children playing in the digital sandbox these past few years, it’s a place to put all the stuff we really want. Now we have it in Pinterest.
I want this. I must have that. I want. Want. WANT. Now the whole world can know what it is we want. Because since we can’t actually have most of the things we desire, we’re in a state of perpetual longing – and Pinterest helps fill that void. Now, instead of being known for who we are, what we create, and generally what we stand for as humans, now our disciples, er, followers can know what kind of person we’d RATHER be. Based on the things we don’t have, but that we want.
Pinterest plays on our egos. It’s stone cold brilliant. I thought Twitter was brilliant with its integration of things like follower numbers, lists numbers, etc. (because numbers play on our ego as well), but Pinterest is even better. Mostly because you can tweet links to the stuff you want. And you can send it to Facebook too. Because everyone who follows you around the world in all your social media silos NEEDS to know what kind of person you aspire to be in a fantasy world where you get everything you want. Besides, there are already hundreds of social media guru blog posts on how good Pinterest is for businesses. So it must be a #realthing.
It’s time for dinner. My wife made spaghetti. But I feel like Pad Thai. Maybe I’ll find a good article on the best Pad Thai in the world and pin it. Because it’s what I want.
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Jesse Luna
Feb 8, 2012
After a while we’ll figure out that we’re just clipping cool photos from a magazine and pasting it to our digital walls. That gets old after a while. We’ll see.
…And besides, I’d much rather see a photo of you eating spaghetti at home.
Allison Wilhelm
Feb 9, 2012
Clipping pictures from magazines might get old for men but not women. We have been clipping articles, pictures and ideas since magazines were invented and this is a much easier and greener way to do it. Now instead of the file folder I have of countless recipes, birthday party ideas, etc they are all right on various boards. I think women will look at it differently than men….as with most things:-) But I tell you this…IF I could get my hubs on it maybe I could get rid of the 500 tool, woodworking, home repair magazines he has in the garage.
Anna
Feb 9, 2012
There are definitely women who use the site as a “want” moodboard. But speaking for myself, I use it as a “to do” sort of list. It’s there to inspire me, but it’s also there to kick my ass into getting things done. I’m moving soon, so I have an “Apartment” board to remind me how I want to improve my space and take myself out of a decorating rut. Similarly, I have a “DIY” board that has already pushed me to try new things. As someone who works 9-whenever (usually late), it’s hard to stay inspired and motivated to create things just for myself—not for a client, not for others to judge. Pinterest has, at least for me, made me more creative.
I should also add that the backlash for Pinterest is making me a little nervous about why bystanders (mostly men) want to criticize a safe, friendly place that women have been enjoying for a while. This article goes into the sexism slant better than I can: http://jezebel.com/5881710/pinterest-succeeds-by-giving-ladies-what-they-want
Jim Mitchem
Feb 9, 2012
I want to make it perfectly clear that my being a man is only a coincidence to what I’ve observed about Pinterest. I have nothing against women, nor how they choose to congregate. I grew up around women. I’m around only women now in my daily life. I love women. I also think it’s silly that women are getting so defensive about the medium being ‘theirs’ somehow. There’s no gender segregation here.
And yes, I’m sure the medium can be used for things other than just accumulating the things people WANT in life, but mostly, it’s just a clusterfuck to me.
Anna
Feb 9, 2012
Absolutely, and I’m not accusing you personally of being sexist. I’ve noticed a lot of random, almost aggressive hate toward the platform in the past week and it baffles me.
Cindy O'Neil
Feb 12, 2012
I agree that many people pin “fantasy” lives and some have a need to share every little thing on FB and twitter.
I do not tweet or share on FB my pins. I also do not pin my “fantasy life” – things that I want to do or be or make SOMEDAY. I do however, pin things that interest me. It’s great to be browsing the internet, like something and pin it to a board so I can easily go back to it and get to the original source. It might be a recipe, or gardening idea, a useful household tip or a great Sangria recipe. And, if I follow people with interests like mine, I can get access to so many more original souces of info that I might have never found on my own.
I can tell you, it is a very handy tool for this kind of activity and it beats bookmarking everything!
Vinny
Feb 9, 2012
I’m with Anna. I see my wife using Pinterest for things she wants to do…and then to promote things she’s done. When she does them, she posts her own pics to show her spin on others ideas.
Case in point: http://pinterest.com/suzanneammirato/black-and-white-animal-party/
Our kiddo wanted a black and white animal party. Wife started a board on it, got her ideas together and then took pictures of her implementation of the shared ideas. Now her pictures are being used as the launch point for other people’s parties.
My novel – Minor King
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