Pinterest an online clipboard site allowing the user to virtually 'pin' images and videos that you can share with fellow users.
Pinterest became the fastest social network to reach 10M users, growing 4000% in 2011 alone ( Gilbert. et al, p. 2427). In the past year this social network site has exploded. Revolving around a virtual pin board that organises photos and other visual material found on the web into categories of interest. As a frequent user of Pinterest I feel the freedom to 'pin' whatever I want without having any anxiety about someone discovering my interests.
My 'pins' on Pinterest are of interest to me and allow me to discover new trends and keep in the loop, however, my identity is not portrayed through my pinterest boards. Although Pinterest is similiar to other social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest is an environment made to discover and explore new things rather than to communicate with people. There is always the option to 'like' someones post or comment. Connections are made via common interests. With no limitations and a sense of freedom travelling through Pinterest is almost related to the act of window shopping where pinterest acts as a 'site of seduction for consumer desire' (Barnes, 1997).
The layout of Pinterest is very visual where all posts are made with images. Simple to navigate, it is easy to spend hours on the site exploring and feeding our consuming habits.
It is obvious that the site does act as a Panopticon. Users are given a feed of what they are interested in and what is similar to there recent 'pins'. Information is technically taken from you, of your interests. In a sense the power is yours. But, to what extent? Pinterest acts to show you what you want, to consume you into it. As long as we indulge in these social networks, we are forfeiting data about ourselves.
References
Barnes.G. 1997. Passage of the Flaneur. U.S. Otago University. http://www.raynbird.com/essays/Passage_Flaneur.html
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