I was shopping with my friend, Alyssa, when everywhere we went she repeatedly exclaimed, “That looks like something I saw on Pinterest.” This phrase has recently become all too familiar among those involved in the latest craze of Pinterest. Pinterest is a website where members can create their own visual boards and “pin” pictures of interest that direct you to a linked website.  Categories range from architecture and travel to recipes and DIY, and everything in between.
Pinterest was created in 2010 but just recently became popular. Millions of users have caught on to the latest Internet craze, forming its own realm of social networking. The site has become a resource of sorts for its users by providing an endless supply of self-created visual galleries stocked with ideas and inspiration. Users create themed boards pertaining to their personal interests and, from there pin media from other users’ boards as well as from any website with the click of a button.
It seems like just yesterday Pinterest was a fleeting thought until this addicting fad came to be. Like many other social networks, Pinterest was originally an exclusive, invite-only site. Now anyone in need of a new excuse to procrastinate can join. A seemingly harmful visit to the site can turn into hours of creating and sharing ideas and pinning anything and everything that catches the eye.
Many view Pinterest as a so-called man-haters site since women make up the majority of the “pinner” population. Men have gradually come to catch on, as they begin to find that there are masculine “pins of interest” as well. One male user has found Pinterest as a particularly useful site where he can find inspiration for home improvement.
“Pinterest interests me because there are a lot of cool, crafty ideas of projects you can do around the house. I once made my mom a special shelf to hold her cookbooks as a surprise.”
Pinterest is a growing site with the potential to be the next best thing in social networking. Pinterest has even recently created an iPhone app that users can download for further convenience. Before you know it ,the “board” will be the new “wall,” and the “pin” will be the new “tweet.” As a word of caution: Pinterest may cause an unhealthy addiction to an intangible fantasy. You can’t say I didn’t warn you.