I am probably way behind the times but about a month ago I took a look at the latest phenomenon sweeping the online world – Pinterest. I became aware of it because of several threads about it on the forum of Simple Savings. I had a browse and I just didn’t get what all the hype is about. I discarded any ideas of Pinterest as an inane waste of time with no redeeming features. I thought nothing more about it until I stumbled across 2 blogs in the last week.
Joshua Becker at Becoming Minimalist took a close, first-hand look and came up with this post about the pros and cons of Pinterest.
Yesterday, one of the ‘Freshly Pressed’ featured blogs on WordPress was from Never Contrary about the same subject.
Please read these links as I think they probably put their thoughts far more eloquently than I will but here are my thoughts on Pinterest:
It can be addictive – this is almost the first comment from anyone who has joined.
The concept feeds unrealistic aspirations and can easily promote jealousy and envy.
It is an insidious form of clutter.
There could be serious legal implications.
It promotes consumerism and the acquisition of stuff.
Like everywhere else on the internet the advertisers are tracking your every move.
I have not joined and do not envisage being sucked into this unrealistic, time-wasting world of pinning. The blogs I have linked to have helped to crystallise my views. I would rather be creating something of value in my own home than be living vicariously through random images on the internet.
Have you joined Pinterest? What are your thoughts?
organised castle 
I skipped it for exactly the same reasons. I could image it would be useful for particular projects. I think it would be really helpful when we redesign our kitchen. It would be a great place to put color ideas, pictures of cabinets or countertops, fabrics for curtains, etc.
I’ve heard it’s very helpful for “window shopping” (eg. put stuff you think is pretty in pinterest, but don’t buy it.) I feel like that would just make me want things more.
Yvonne I found that it was a huge amount of clutter and confusion. Not something I was willing to waste time on !
I joined but decided it was a huge time waster. I am happy to read the occasional magazine in the doctors, dentists or whatever’s surgery.
I agree – not something I’d waste my time on either – there’s enough to confuse me as it is, and I just don’t need it – simple as that.
I agree with all of you, I thought it was just me, but I just didn’t get it. I love to sit down and read a magazine, feet up with a cup of coffee, not reading it on my laptop. Is it a young persons thing? I am 47 this year so not sure what ages the rest of you are. They even had an articile on one of those today tonight programs about it.
I use if for ideas while we are renovating our house. I quite like it. I don’t spend a lot of time on it, but when I see something while I’m on the net I can just pin it for later.
I have joined and didn’t GET IT, still don’t in some ways but I have found it fabulous for sourcing ideas for my early childhood kindergarten classes. Haven’t really used to to check out things in my home life. Maybe I should!