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i normally dont really discuss pinterest because it is just like any other social network, you take it in small portions.
HOWEVER,
i came across this pin,
i thought it was a rather novel idea, one that could be replicated but when i clicked on the image this appeared
according to the seller, the item was not a dollar tree tray. hmmmm.. it got me to thinking, what are the ramifications for descriptions when describing something on social media?
i am aware that we can fix all problems with sites such as pinterest, but if you are pinning an inaccurate description, that one little pin could quite possibly be repinned thousands of times thus resulting in false information.
lets DISCUSS it,
what are you thoughts?
6 comments:
I want to give the pinner the benefit of the doubt here. While the Etsy seller might not have been selling a dollar store tray with chalkboard paint on it, you could very easily do that and looking at the original image, that's what it LOOKS like (I've seen a tray at my dollar store that looks almost exactly like this). I would be inclined to believe that the original pinner was writing directions for herself on how she could DIY this. If you use Pinterest as an organizational tool to keep track of your DIY ideas then that little description is apt.
If I pinned an expensive ombre sweater (maybe like this one http://tinyurl.com/cl8tkxj) and then wrote "thrift a gray sweater, dip dye the bottom black" you wouldn't think twice about it. Well, I wouldn't anyway.
Totally agree with Molly... coincidentally, I have a huge stack of those $ store trays in my closet - they look incredibly similar and I could imagine doing the same thing w/a pin to remind myself of a cute craft idea. Certainly not intending to misrepresent a picture/pin. This is new territory for all of us - this concept of pinning etiquette - I think we learn as we go...
Personally, before I finished reading your post, when I had only seen the photo, I thought, "Yeah right! Dollar Store?!" I personally have never seen one at a Dollar Store, although I'm sure they are out there, as your other commenters have noted.
Having said that, and having made some things I've seen on Pinterest, I think you sort of have to take them all with a grain of salt. RARELY do they turn out as gorgeous as the pinned photo the first time you try it. When I blog about projects, I try to be detailed, and note to my readers what not to do, or what I messed up so they don't repeat my mistake. They make everything on Pinterest seem easy peasy.
So, yes, I think it is somewhat misleading, but all crafts take a few shots to turn out awesome, whether the idea is from Pinterest, or an episode of Martha Stewart. :/
Let's face it when you post something to Pinterest - it is no longer "yours" and as such is up to the interpretation of the pinner - yes this particular tray may not have come from the dollar tree - but let's face it, it can be replicated very closely using dollar tree items...and while I am sorry the original pinner was offended by that - copycat is a serious form of flattery!
If that's not a Dollar Store tray I'll eat my hat. I painted mine with chalkboard paint months ago and have them on little easels all over my house. As for Pinterest, I think we have to take it all with a grain of salt.
When Pinterest first started, a lot of bloggers were getting flack for insisting their their photos get appropriate credit. People said they were whining. But I was on their side. Intellectual property is important. They work hard with those DLSR cameras and deserve to be credited for their work. On the flip sid,e when I see something I want to recreate I want to go to the original source to see alternate views and or get additional information. It is so irritating to not have an original source. Especially when it is just a random Google image. So I agree, people should be credited for their work.
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