Today I made the unfortunate mistake of expressing my desire for Pinterest to be a little more organized and pinners to be a little more conscientious about crediting artists. I did this by posting a picture I created, onto various polymer clay groups on FB, with the request written out. You would have thought I challenged people's belief in god! I was accused of trying to tell people how to organize their boards, what to call them and was also told that pinning is a "very personal thing." Really? A public photo sharing site is so sacrilegious that a request meant to help everyone enjoy it more is attacked? People took my request personally, as if I was standing over them shaking my finger and saying "Bad pinners!" The whole thing is ridiculous.
What's more ridiculous is how personally I took the responses. Reminds me that I can't lean on FB or the internet for human connections, I need to go out and make them in person. And appreciate more the people that do love me and care for me.
I also learned a few other valuable lessons:
1) Don't expect others to understand your intent when making a request for something over the internet. The lack of tone of voice or context can be a huge detriment.
2) Don't expect others to feel as you do or, at least, give you the benefit of the doubt, just because you all love the same thing.
3) Don't fuck with Pinterest.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdbear10/8719522652/in/photostream
Yeah, but remember that it's a whole heckuva lot easier to be righteously indignant online than in person. Don't beat yourself up for trying to do the right thing! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurel! Appreciate the support.
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