Blog #2 Travelling through Pinterest

As my social network Pinterest, my last blog touched on the freedom it entails.  This blog will delve into the Connections made, the narratives and paths that are created. 

The virtual world and all social networks included are an extension of what we see as 'reality'. Pinterest is used to portray a virtual self, styles you're interested in and decor you want for the house. It is seen as 'pinboard' to publish likes and interests. Information 'pinned' can either be scene as a reflection of character or you can look it as a focus on place of space. The nature of collections on Pinterest motivates the user to add personal information and engage with other users ( C.Hall 2012). Travelling around the social network is evidently leaving footprints throughout it and gaining information of the 'places' you visit and the frequency.

Seven Sisters Songline, by Josephine Mick, Pipalyatjara, 1994.

The connections made within the Pinterest network can be related to the Indigenous Australians 'Songlines'. Described by Chatwin (1987, pp 13) "But as long as he stuck to the track, he'd always find people who shared his Dreaming?... From whom he would expect hospitality" Pinterest has created a similar connection on a virtual scale that 'songlines' relate to the connections made through similar interests and that users do not likely stray away from those interests and connections they make or encounter. The virtual 'songlines' are left through 'pins' in this case 'likes' and comments on corresponding interests.

The links made through reality are in turn portayed through a virtual network. With sense of limitations.

References:

Chatwin, B., & Beryl Phillips Indigenous, C. (1998). The songlines. London: Vintage.


Hall, C., & Zarro, M. (2012). Social curation on the website Pinterest.com. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Volume 49(Issue 1), 1-9. Retrieved August 30, 2013, from Online