I am a male. A very straight male. So why am I constantly going into my Pinterest app on my smartphone and eagerly searching for pictures from other boards that tickles my fancy the right way to a point where I repin the picture into my own boards? I asked myself this question today, and I think I found out the answer. With that said, if you had no idea what I just said allow this post to convince you to start using Pinterest and find out yourself.
Look at this! I’m going to learn how to do this and do this in everyone’s washroom! It’ll be my own special power
The most glaring characteristic that defines Pinterest from social networking sites is that it plays on the topic that online users are attracted to visual aids such as pictures and videos. Hence, why websites like Instagram and YouTube are ridiculously popular. Think about it, when you’re scrolling through your newsfeed on Facebook you take greater time looking at pictures your friends have posted than a text status update about how they’re going to pull an all-nighter. Same goes with Twitter, you are more inclined to click on a Tweet that has a picture icon associated with it. Pinterest uses that aspect of social media and blows it up to make it it’s primary feature.
Personally, why Pinterest is amazing for me is that it revolves around the user. You’re not putting out content for your friends and followers to see and comment/like (though that is a feature Pinterest has, but I hardly use). Instead, you are collecting pictures found in other Pinterest “boards” and “repinning” them into your own “board” to review later on in the future. It makes me feel that I am doing this just for my own self development and interest and not to generate awareness from other people. Of course, if you are someone who feeds off of everyone and is an absolute attention seeker, this may not be your thing.
It ain’t always about the DIY and crafts
Pinterest is obviously not for everybody. Same how Facebook and Twitter is not for everybody even though it seems everybody has it. But it does have it’s own place in the social media world. If you love pictures, gathering things to your own collection, and just doing something just for your self, Pinterest is totally something to consider.
