This week I have decided to write about one of my favorite websites, one that has been rated by Time in the top 50 best websites of 2011 (in other words, it's extrememly popular): Pinterest.
What is Pinterest you ask? Well, according to the website, it is a "virtual pinboard" that allows its users to "organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web." With its several categories including topics such as Food, Humor, Kids, Life, Weddings, Art, History, Home Decor, etc., Pinterest allows its customers (or should I say addicts?) the ability to create their own online bulletin boards on which they collect (and thus share) their favorite things. These things can include pictures, recipes, ideas, quotations ...you name it! So, each user creates an identity, if you will, by pinning the pieces of their choice. According to Ben Silberman, the founder of Pinterest, the items which one collects on their virtual pin boards, "says a lot about you." While the site is addicting simply because of its content, it also explains much about the user as seen in his/her pinterests.
Certainly, every consumer can view the activities and pinnings of the followers of this website. Thus, a common question arises concerning the "security" of the profiles. Well, a typical internet user can view the recent pinnings, but no personal pinning or profiles can be made without an invitation to to become a ligitimate "pinterester". But by a simple click of the mouse, users can receive an invitation via email and thus begin their online pinning.
One interesting note is that Pinterest, when sending the invite to users, requires that your account be connected to either facebook or twitter. Its users not only can interweave the web of their online activity (pardon the pun) but also must have their pinterest activity related to profiles in other social networking sites. Though this appeals to some, others are not quite happy about the forced association. For instance, I created a twitter (though somewhat embarrassed to admit it) simply to pin things and not have them show up on my facebook wall. Perhaps this is because my entire wall would be completely filled with my "pinterests," but that is another story entirely.
Whatever one's views of the pinterst website, it definitely addresses the issues of online idenity, online privacy, and social networking. It very much so demonstrates the further development of the digital dossiers of internet users.
So go check it out! (Unless you've got work to do because it can be quite distracting.)
Good job with this post! The use of "Time" magazine and the fact that you have used Pinterest gave you lots of ethos, and your use of the word "addicts" to talk about Pinterest users was a good use of pathos, since it's one of those words that conveys a definite image. I have never used Pinterest (I usually watch over my friend's shoulder as she looks up recipes etc), so I appreciated how you pointed out specific things about it, like how the things you "pin" reflect your personality, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your style made this very fun and easy to read. I also like (back to ethos!) how you used a personal experience as an example of Pinterest requiring you to link up with facebook or twitter. Great job on this post!
I honestly had never heard of pinterest before I read your article...it was a good read though. Nice work.
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