Pinterest: Not for the Wishy-Washy

Why I Like Pinterest

I have some thoughts on Pinterest. You knew I would, right? I don’t spend a lot of time on Pinterest at all, but when I’m there I like what I see.

I enjoy Pinterest for personal reasons. By “personal” I don’t mean “secret.” Rather, I mean, they are specific to me and my quirks.

Do I Like Pinterest For My Own Quirks?

Now let’s focus on those quirks: I love that Pinterest forces people to take a stand even if it’s about something benign like yellow walls vs. blue ones. Might sound bizarre, but it thrills me to see all those demonstrative statements in one place. Maybe it’s because I’m, shall we say, opinionated? Seeing others declare their “must try” recipes and “doing this today” organizational ideas makes me happy. Yes, it also makes me a little weird, but hear me out.

Is Pinterest Better Than Facebook and Twitter?

Now that I’ve had a blog for a while, my opinions are out there for anyone to consume. I’m active on Twitter and Facebook, and to tell you the truth, even before my “online life” most of the people close to me (or anyone who has been on a committee with me for anything) could probably guess how I would feel about an array of topics. Clearly I have something of a big mouth. I’m not saying this is a good thing. It is what it is though, so what I ADORE about Pinterest is how it weeds out the wishy-washy in basically everybody. On Pinterest, I’m home.

It’s true. On Pinterest, I’m a mere speck in a sea of public proclamations. Sure, the topic at hand might be vintage watches or 36-exercises for inner-thigh shapeliness, but I don’t care.

Sometimes the topics delve below the surface. “AMEN!” someone I know vaguely from my kids’ pre-school might write under a motivational quote stating “Still Time to Change the Road You’re On.” And you know what, now I’m wee-bit obsessed with this person for something like four days. What road is she on I wonder? What road would she speed down tomorrow if she could? Which paths have been full of regret? I want to know! I also want to try those outrageously unhealthy cookie dough cake pops she pinned a few weeks ago and see if she ever puts that whimsical wallpaper in her powder room.

person relaxing with an ipad scrolling through pintr

Weird, I told you.

You see what I mean though? Pinterest forces people to pop off the page. Speaking of real people, Pinterest is full of them. How refreshing to see so many of my real-life acquaintances in one place. (You can’t count Facebook where most non-blogging or what I call “non-virtual” people just lurk rather than post anyway. Can’t blame them.)

Is Pinterest The New Twitter?

All that Pinterest coolness aside, Pinterest is definitely not the new Twitter. (My regular readers know that Twitter is my one and only social media love.) While Pinterest is fun and visual, it lacks Twitter’s unique blend of sharing and 140-character wordsmith wonderment. Here’s why: Even though Pinterest has a “like” button and an area for comments, I rarely see those elements at play. Originality on Pinterest is not valued like it is on Twitter. Often on Twitter when people retweet a statement or a link, they take the time to give a clue as to why. So while I value visual declarations of opinion, I guess I value originality more.

On Pinterest people rarely reword the label under the picture. A mom of three girls might repin a healthy recipe of  Brussels sprouts simmering in a tomato broth without noticing that the original caption says “Making for my son’s bday.” So while we know a little more about said Pinner for her choice to share that particular recipe, we don’t know as much as we potentially could. Is she really serving those Brussels sprouts at a kid’s party (kudos and good luck) or should she have changed that caption to “Dinner side dish. Will try” or something like that?

Captioning problems aside, I still find it interesting to see this subtle insight into others’ creative sides and into their lives. It’s probably why I love reading blogs, writing a blog, and it’s also why I ask a lot of questions when I meet people (good thing) and offer too much information and unmitigated opinion in almost every conversation (less of a good thing).

Do you like Pinterest? Why or why not? 

Photo by Nathana Rebouças on Unsplash


LISTEN TO MY FRIENDSHIP PODCAST: DEAR NINA

JOIN THE DISCUSSION ANY TIME ON THE NEW DEAR NINA FACEBOOK PAGE.  

SIGNUP FOR MY NEWSLETTER (COMES 1-2 TIMES/MONTH)

Image Map
The following two tabs change content below.
Nina Badzin hosts the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's been writing about friendship since 2014, co-leads the writing groups at ModernWell in Minneapolis, and reviews 30+ books a year on her website.

70 Responses

  1. Haha! I’m totally guilty of pinning blog posts! But I do use Pinterest as my virtual bulletin board. There’s way too much that I “like” in support of a blogger or an idea or to say “well done!”; I don’t want to weed through all those likes to find that one post that I’m looking for. In a lot of ways, Pinterest has taken the place of my bookmarks bar. Also, if it’s great enough for me to Pinterest, then I hope someone else will go read it, too. Also, I don’t get out much, even on the internet, so I don’t have much else to pin 🙂

    I’m glad you brought up the captions, though, because I’ve wondered about that. I don’t change them unless they are totally unfitting, like the example you used. But I wondered what the etiquette for that really was. It felt almost rude to me, as though I was taking credit. But really, it’s a re-pin, so it’s pretty obvious. I don’t know what put that other notion in my head.

    1. You know, I’m unsure of the etiquette for the caption as well. It’s just that when someone repins, it FEELS to me like the words are that of the NEW pinner. I know it usually isn’t, but it’s hard to tell, isn’t it? That’s a huge irritation to me. Because if I wrote something, I’d want the credit, not the new pinner.

      Meanwhile, I don’t pin all that much. But I like looking.

  2. I started a couple of pin boards, but I always forget to go there. Of course, I often forget to go to Twitter, too. Clearly, I’m not very good at social networking. I do like the simplicity of pinning photos, though. The few times I’ve participated, I found that looking at all of the images was inspiring.

  3. I agree that Pinterest is personal — as in my boards are tools for me to use, not something I ever expect anyone else to look at. So when I get a notification that someone has “repinned” my pin, my general reaction is, “Really? Why?”

  4. Oh I’ve been on the cusp of starting up a pinterest page, but waiting until I had “more time”. I hear all the wonderful things you say about it and that it is a great visual media, which I am a fan of. I know I’d love it! But I’m not mastering using all the others so I’m hesitant to add in another. But I love that people can find you and like you say really get a sense of character. It would be a fantastic place to house all my Jane Austen memorabilia… 😉

    Side topic, and blatant self promotion, but you really ought to swing by my place today because I’ve got NYTBS author Karen Abbott on my blog and she’s offering a book giveaway. I just know you’ll have an opinion matter on the genre and stories involved.

    http://jesswitkins.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/interview-with-nytbs-author-karen-abbott-why-shes-a-better-writer-than-lifeguard/

  5. And, this is why I’m not on Pinterest, NIna…I’m too wishy washy. And, non-crafty. And, lazy. In fact, my feelings towards Pinterest make me think of your other post about giving up hobbies. I would LOVE to be the kind of person who loves Pinterest and finds new recipes, crafts, and clever ways of being on daily basis, and THEN implements them into regular life: “Look at my son’s laser light show birthday party complete with themed-games, matching cupcakes, and free trips to outer space! And, I found all of the ideas on Pinterest!” But, sadly, this is not me. I’ll just be over here on the couch now opening my “Party in a Bag” from Target…

      1. I really like Pinerest, but I’m not actually on it that much at all. Weeks go by and I forget about it. But I AM intrigued by why people pin certain things. I DO think you learn tons about REAL people.

    1. I totally hear that. Other than the recipes I do NOTHING from Pinterest . . . I’m more fascinated with the insights into other . . . it’s kind of a voyeuristic thrill, I guess!

      Hi by the way! Feel like I haven’t “seen” you in ages.

  6. Love this. Like you, Twitter is my first and primary social media love. I like Pinterest but I may not be following the right people or something as I feel like I get mostly recipes and holiday-specific crafts, both of which interest me in small doses but in the aggregate, tidal-wave way I seem to find things sweeping through Pinterest. I like what you say about forcing opinions, though. Will think more about that … xox

    1. Small doses is all anyone needs. I probably use Pinterest twice a month. Sometimes more if I’m looking for something new to make and I don’t feel like opening a cookbook. But while I’m looking for recipes, I always marvel at what other people are pinning. I DO find it fascinating . . . I probably read too much into things, but I’m a little hyper-analytical like that.

  7. I love it : ) I have been a long-time Pin-vangelist and I am happy I’m not the only one drawn to the “Big Mouth” appeal of it : )

        1. Ha! Clicked and I was already following you. Can’t keep it all straight! I love ALL the colored jeans. Have a light pink pair I have been wearing ALL summer—very Pin-inspired.

  8. Fascinating. I’ve had no time to even look at Pinterest, but I know some photographer friends who love it to post their work. But I didn’t know it was about characters. One of these months, when I have more than three minutes together, I’m going to check it out. You make it sound intriguing!

    1. Not really characters in the literal sense, more like it reveals things about people. Anyway, Pinterest is interesting, but I would NOT say it’s a must do AT ALL. Of all the outlets, it’s for sure the most playful (good) but the least useful in terms of writing, connection, promoting, etc (so feel free to skip it.)

  9. I love Pinterest. I guess because I’m a visual person. I love how I can type in different topics and find pictures relating to it. And it’s interesting to see what kind of boards my peeps have. Very telling about a person! Especially the quirky ones! I don’t spend much time on Pinterest, though. Maybe ten minutes once a week. Am spread way too thin as it is and can hardly find time for blogging anymore. It’s funny that Twitter is your favorite because I find it’s my least favorite. I’m basically a tech idiot and even with Tweetdeck, I have a hard time keeping up with Twitter. My favorite times on Twitter are when tweeps are joking around and just plain old having fun with it. Thanks for the Pinterest reminder. I’m way overdue to pay a visit, and today is my day to catch up with some social media! Oh, I do change the comment in a picture if it doesn’t apply to me. It it says how I feel, or says it better than I could or gives the source, I leave it. Have a great week, NIna!

    1. It is really interesting to see what boards other people put up, and especially what they name them. It gives you a little sideways look into their personality.

  10. I’ve never pinned a blog post. I had heard people do that, but it just didn’t seem worthwhile to me. I’ve always thought of Pinterest as a big table around which everyone brings their magazines to cut out pictures and make collages. It’s kind of a relief for me to not have to be all that social. Let the pictures do the talking!

    1. Lara,

      I’m coming around to seeing it that way (not wanting it to be social). I just have to integrate that way of using a site into my otherwise “social” media stuff. It IS a nice break.

  11. I haven’t yet ventured to Pinterest either. Thanks for the overview. I’m interested in learning more about it.
    It seems that your writerly sensibilities get a workout on Pinterest – collecting odd little details about people’s lives that may one day show up on the page in one form or another. Though I have the NYC subway for that. 🙂

    1. Yes! I think I do see it as writer . . . looking for life details and what not. We have nothing like the subway here in Minneapolis . . . Pinterest gives me something of a new window, even if it’s into people’s kitchens and little else.

  12. I have definitely felt weird pinning my own posts, and think I’ve only tried it twice. I agree about using proper information in the description, or changing it if it doesn’t apply to you. I don’t want anyone to think I’d write, “ZOMGGGGG!!! This is sooooooo gud!” so I try to edit those gems out.

    1. I’ve done it a few times too then felt icky after. It was one step of self-promo too far. If you have a food post or a “how to” of some kind I think it’s legit, otherwise, not so much.

      Laughed about the caption thing—that’s exactly my point!!

  13. I am amazed that I love Pinterest. I don’t think it can do much for us writers as far as selling our work, but I just enjoy it, and now I use it as a reward for doing all the other social media chores I think I should be doing every day. It’s relaxing and something to look forward to. I do have a board with images of all my book covers, but I don’t know why anyone would click that on. Only one repin from the whole board–my daughter did one. Get lots of repins of bookshelves and jewelry and dogs.

    1. Hi there, Jan,

      It IS interesting to see what gets repinned and what just sits around, isn’t it? I think I use Pinterest like you do . . . as an afterthought/reward kind of social media. I’m really only on there in small bits. What’s nice is how weeks can go by and I don’t have that feeling like I’ve missed something. There’s always cool stuff to look at and there will be other cool stuff a different day. In some ways, the NON-social aspect is a very good thing.

      Thanks for visiting!

  14. Morning Nina!

    I love anyone who takes a stand and expresses their beliefs, likes and values. So I appreciated your views on Pinterest. I like how you see it in a whole different way than I see it. I worry about the constant Copyright infringements (hey, my inner lawyer never shuts up–it is really exhausting to listen to her) and the lack of originality evidenced by these infringements. BUT you make a great point, and one I want to think about some more: how you can follow someone’s interests and know them through what they pin.

    For example, you can see that I love classic movies, literature and sports heroes.

    Hmm. My first love is Facebook, and it will always be my online home. I’ve learned to use it much like you use Twitter. I like the conversations I can have–often silly, often deep–with friends all at once, on the same page. Last night, we joked about sunburn. Another night, about broken vacuums. Another night, we debated moral relativism. It is more like a salon, you know?

    Crap. This is longer than I meant. Signing off!

    1. You’re right about copyright issues and I’m sure that will all come to a big explosion at some point.

      Still trying to get the feel of the page on Facebook . . . getting there, I think. Sort of.

  15. I never thought of it this way, but now that I have I love Pinterest even more! Honestly, I really wish I had more time to spend on it — what appeals to me the most is the the inundation of beautiful images. But I also really like that you can jump from image to image and board to board looking at so many different things contributed by so many different people. It’s kind of like people watching — fascinating to see what people think is important to pin.

  16. I have deliberately been staying away (though on my to-do list is to “set up Pinterest account”). Why stay away? I already feel too distracted by the few social media groups I’m involved with: Twitter, LinkedIn, Good Reads. Seems I am pulled away from my writing too much if I’m involved in too much social media – BUT, that being said, I am a very visual person and I’ve read several articles on ways that authors are actually using Pinterest to help organize their WIPs, and share cover design ideas with publishers… I know I will succumb. But it still may be awhile.

    1. If it makes you feel better, I really don’t see Pinterest as a “must do.” I should have said “like” in the little picture I made for this post, not “love.” It’s fun but certainly something you can skip with no worry that you’re missing out.

  17. There is so much about this post to love. I’m not on Pinterest (it’s my stand against social media overload), but I am on Tumblr, which is basically the same thing for young people plus a little more risqué. And I love what Tumblr reveals about its users, mostly in the same type of visual format, although Tumblr also does quotes and poems and videos. “Let’s leave some corner of the Internet for the regular people, m’kay?” applies there too, so far, which is a huge part of why I use it. Sometimes we just need a break.

  18. I love Pinterest but I have the same issue with the captions as you do. Now I just never trust that whatever is written down there actually came from whoever pinned it. And it’s a little annoying when I take the time to write an original caption, only to realize it’ll probably be repinned without proper attribution.

    I love the visual aspects, though. I think Pinterest indulges my whimsical side in a more private way. The experience doesn’t feel nearly as social as Twitter, so I don’t feel like I have to log in daily or risk missing out on something.

    1. All perfect said and I agree completely! The joy of the less-valuable social elements is that we can fall WAY behind and that doesn’t matter at all.

  19. So, I enjoyed Pinterest in the beginning because the idea of nice organized pin board instead of a messy list of bookmarked sites really appealed to me.

    I’ve since moved on to a different site – LoveIt.com. It is very similar, but a few key differences sold me. 1) I can have a PRIVATE board. If I want to plan a party and don’t want to ruin the surprise for guests that may also be online, I can keep that board to myself. If I want inspiration for my writing to be just for me, I can keep it that way. 2) Interaction. I’ve met and interacted more with people on LoveIt in a week than I every did on Pinterest. 3) Variety. I find a lot more geek and non “soccer mom” stuff on LoveIt. Granted, I enjoy my crafty DIY stuff as much as the next person, but sometimes I want to have a board of nothing by awesome Doctor Who stuff. 4) Original links. LoveIt’s been designed to keep the origins of the photos/posts intact (and highlight them) so I feel better about artist’s getting credit. 5) Suggestion engine. LoveIt does a great job of making recommendations based on the current thing your are “loving”.

    I like your point about being able to see more about people through what they are pinning…which might possibly be what I love about having private boards. I’m happy to share who I am – but maybe just not all of me. 🙂

    1. Amber, I had not heard of that site before you mentioned it and I will for sure check it out. Pinterest must have some reason for not allowing private boards . . . not sure what it is but it’s seems they’re missing the boat with that. Though, I guess if every board was private there would nothing to see!

  20. My interest in Pinterest is wavering. Or rather, it is circumstantial. When I got engaged a year ago, Pinterest became my obsession. It was useful for finding wedding inspiration, but I used it more just to store all the different flower, dress, invitation, etc. ideas I was finding online. And I have to say, I found it actually fed my wishy-washiness. I pinned all types of ideas and options and it became a little overwhelming. Now, as my engagement year is over and the wedding has come and gone, I find myself going to it less and less. I could use it to find recipes for all our new kitchen gadgets and such, but I know I will probably never use them (the recipes or half of the gadgets)! However, when the next baby or bridal shower hosting duty comes along, I am sure I will be right back there. And I’m so guilty for forgetting/being too lazy to change the caption — I wish the default was a blank box instead of the current caption!

    1. Yes! The blank box would be so much better. You know, my interest is a bit more circumstantial too. As I mentioned in a different comment above, I should have said “like” Pinterest instead of “love.” I tend to log on when I’m tired of what I’ve been cooking and need some ideas. While I’m looking, I happen to see all that other stuff I mentioned. (wallpaper, etc.) I DO find it interesting and revealing though!

  21. Score! If I go log into wordpress first, I can comment. If I don’t it won’t let me. Weird.
    I LOVE pinterest. But until this post I had never thought of it as Social Media in the way I think of blogs, facebook, or twitter. It was just a place for me to find new crafts, recipes, ideas, and get a good laugh. In fact, if I really like something, usually nerd worth stuff, I’ll copy it and post it to twitter or FB because even though my friends/followers over lap it’s pretty easy to miss pins on pinterest. I’m not nearly obsessed with it as I was when I first got on, but I still use it as a way to relax and unwind.
    I whole heartedly agree in theory about rewriting captions but I’m completely guilty of just pinning without even noticing the previous persons captions LOL. It’s usually as I’m hitting “pin” I’ll notice that a person I don’t know is tagged in the caption. Oh well. What I would love from pinterest is feedback. How to make that possible is beyond me, but especially on recipes or projects I want to know if someone did them and if they were any good.

    1. Tanya,

      You bring up THE missing piece of Pinterest. It’s that I’m looking for yet another social media outlet, but some communication (at least on the recipes and projects) about outcomes would be NICE. I’d love to see a comment that says, “Tried this. Was great. Can use half the amount of sugar.” You get the idea. I suppose some of that commentary could be in the original blog post with the recipe.

      Pinterest is fun . . . not convinced it’s here to stay though.

      And missed you on my blog! Glad to see you back!

  22. I pin some of my posts, but I see how it can get out of control. BUT I think we notice it more because we have a lot of blogger connections from twitter and FB , and those are some of the methods that help you find people on pinterest. I’m not sure if a lot of non blogger people even notice the influx on regular (like non how-to or non recipe) posts.

    My beef is with the PInterest incest — seeing the same pin all throughout your timeline — and people who PIN PIN PIN but never do. I swear I will log on and my screen will be flooded with pins from my sisters preschool crafts and recipe boards.

    1. Yup–that seeing the same pin over and over is a problem! And you’re probably right about the blog post thing . . . I’m sure non-bloggers see less of that as they don’t follow bloggers.

  23. Oh, I’m glad you didn’t say “everyone must get on Pinterest immediately!” in this post, because I might have a nervous breakdown, LOL

    I really enjoyed reading your take on it; I have been really curious about it, and people say they love it. For me the problem is the NUMBER of different sites people are on – I really like to have things consolidated in one place. I don’t want to log into 20 sites (Twitter, Good Reads, Bloggers, FaceBook, Pinterest, etc. etc.) to be on top of things. I guess I rely on my inbox the most!

  24. First I get sucked into your blog (BIG fan!), then you talk me into Twitter and now you’re tempting me with Pinterest…;)
    I’ve looked, been tempted but haven’t taken the plunge… yet. Seriously, you should do commercials for these guys.

  25. I’m obsessed with Pinterest lately — all the time. Like Julia, I think it’s a form of people watching, gathering ideas and stories from . . . everywhere. I also love the imagery, being in a completely visual medium. Sometimes I completely ignore any pin with words and just look at images. It’s a good diversion when my eyes won’t focus on language anymore.

    I have a bunch of boards, but my favorite one lately is my “Story” board. I use it to pin images that seem to have a story lurking somewhere inside of them, something that I want to write.

    As for captions, I confess to being flagrantly lazy. I just madly pin, without adding comments. Like I said, for me, Pinterest is often an escape or break from words, something I’ve needed in the last few months.

    1. Nobody comments! You’re doing anything wrong. I don’t know why they even have that feature. As Tanya said above, the only comments that would be nice would along the lines of “tried this, it really IS amazing” or something like that.

  26. Where there’s an etiquette, I know you’ll find it, learn it, and teach it, baby! Love!

    {I also know *exactly* what you mean about the curious/nosy part of pinterest! Paint colors, recipes, etc. It’s just plain fun seeing what people love, err- commit to! :)}

    xo

  27. I LOVE pinterest. Not only do I maintain a personal pinterest account for all my favorite recipes/crafts/etc, I also have a separate account for my writing life for story inspiration and lead my library’s pinterest efforts as part of our social media team (I’ve blogged about it from both a writer and a librarian standpoint). I’ve been on the site since it was in beta and I’m someone who always personalizes the captions and pins original content father than just ‘repinning’. It’s the place where my ‘real life’ and social media/writing friends all converge. I’ve learned a lot about close friends and acquaintances by what they ‘pin’. It’s fun. It’s functional. But it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. It helps me organize my web content and share my interests, but the format might not be right for everyone.

  28. I love Pinterest– I like to use it to fantasize about how my yard might look one day, or to find projects I can suggest to my husband that he will politely ignore. I also like creating boards for my books, collecting lots of images that I can use for inspiration. All that being said, I’m infrequently on Pinterest. I’ll have a rush of pinning for a day or two, and then ignore it for weeks.

  29. I was surprised to discover that I enjoy using Pinterest. I use it in spurts, but I have found lots of material that spurs my creativity and that is enough for me to want to visit.

  30. Hee! I like your weirdness!

    I do love Pinterest. It’s my weekend indulgence, where I stalk food blogs and Pin all the stuff I want to eat (and some I want to make if it’s not too complicated and I can get the ingredients). I’ve ended up with FIFTEEN food boards alone. So what does that say about me?

    (oh and I’m all about captioning properly too – except for the funny slogans/ inspirational messages etc, I haven’t had time to recaption them!)

  31. For most up-to-date information you have to go to see world wide web and on internet I found this web site as a best website for newest updates.
    here recently posted..hereMy Profile

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

Get The Newsletter

I send an email once or twice a month with the latest friendship letters, podcast episodes, book reviews, recipes, and more.

Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

Get The Newsletter

I send an email once or twice a month with the latest friendship letters, podcast episodes, book reviews, recipes, and more.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.