The Intersection of Pinterest and Subculture Evolution: From Design-Centricity to Exploitation

Hatched by Kazuki
Sep 28, 2023
4 min read
4 views
Copy Link
The Intersection of Pinterest and Subculture Evolution: From Design-Centricity to Exploitation
Pinterest, the popular image-sharing platform, has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2011. With a small team of just five employees, Pinterest focused on perfecting its design and user experience rather than seeking attention from the press or announcing its fundraise. This approach, prioritizing focus over distractions, proved to be a key factor in Pinterest's success. They never even announced the fundraise, showing that focus and prioritization are crucial in the startup world.
One interesting aspect of Pinterest's journey is the fact that they didn't have a full-time technical co-founder. While conventional wisdom suggests that every internet startup should have a technical founder, Pinterest's founders, Ben and Evan, played to their strengths and stuck with their design-centric approach. This decision not only defied norms but also showcased the importance of design in creating a visually appealing and user-friendly platform.
Over time, Pinterest grew exponentially, expanding its team to approximately 1,800 members and generating over $750 million in revenue. Its ability to influence shoppers "mid-funnel" became a byproduct of its pinner community, who used the platform to seek inspiration for their lives. This highlights the power of community-driven platforms and the influence they can have on consumer behavior.
Now, let's shift our focus to the concept of subculture evolution. Before a subculture emerges, there is a sceneāa small group of creators who invent something new and exciting. This could be a musical genre, a religious sect, a film animation technique, or even a political theory. If the scene is particularly captivating, it attracts fans known as mops. These fans contribute minimally but enjoy the experience and engage with others in a more "normal" way.
However, as a subculture gains popularity, issues can arise. Mops, while providing energy and contributing to the subculture, can also become entitled and treat the fanatics (the dedicated fans) as service workers. This shift in dynamics opens the door for sociopaths to enter the scene. Sociopaths quickly befriend the creators, imitate their style, and extract the cultural capital they generate. They become the cool kids in the room and exploit the mops to their advantage, leveraging the subculture for personal gain.
To prevent the subculture from being overrun by sociopaths, geeks and creators often create barriers to entry. These barriers, such as excluding or limiting mops, serve as a strategy to keep the sociopaths at bay. While geeks might need the help of sociopaths to grow the subculture, it's crucial not to let them ruin it. The purpose of sociopaths is to take advantage of the cultural capital created by the geeks and creators to make money. Therefore, geeks must be slightly evil and learn from the sociopaths' tactics to capture more of the value they create while also being vigilant in ejecting true sociopaths.
However, it's important to note that serious subcultures often fall into the trap of eternalistic naĆÆvetĆ©. They believe that their New Thing, their creation, will triumph and give life purpose. This makes them susceptible to exploitation. In order to defend the subculture, a slightly evil approach requires realism. Geeks must let go of eternalist hope and have faith in imaginary guarantees. Instead, they must focus on the practical steps needed to protect and grow their subculture.
In conclusion, the stories of Pinterest and subculture evolution intersect in fascinating ways. Both highlight the importance of focus and prioritization, whether in building a successful startup or nurturing a subculture. Additionally, they emphasize the significance of design and community in creating engaging platforms. To navigate the challenges of subculture growth, geeks must be wary of the presence of sociopaths, while also learning from their tactics. Three actionable pieces of advice that emerge from this exploration are:
- 1. Prioritize focus and prioritize: Like Pinterest, it's crucial to stay focused on perfecting your product or idea rather than getting sidetracked by distractions or seeking unnecessary attention.
- 2. Embrace the power of design: Design-centricity can be a differentiating factor in the success of your platform or product. Invest in creating a visually appealing and user-friendly experience.
- 3. Be vigilant against sociopaths: While sociopaths might initially seem helpful, it's important to recognize their motives and take steps to protect your subculture from their exploitation.
By combining these key insights, we can learn from the experiences of Pinterest and subculture evolution to build and protect successful ventures while staying true to our values and priorities.
Resource:
Copy Link