Pinterest has apparently taken over women’s brains, Alien-style. It’s news to me; perhaps it’s old-fashioned, but I believe that women are the architects of their own experience online — and I believe that is a feminist act in itself.

We all know Pinterest is addictive. Or, maybe you know that Pinterest is addictive. (I’m a curmudgeon, after all.) But why?

If you haven’t heard by now, I’ll fill you in– Pinterest is the new Facebook. Or, at the very least, it’s a new way for you to not study for your test, write that brief, or to otherwise waste hours of your day. And the newest member to join the ranks of picture-accumulating procrastinators is none other than Barack Obama.

If you thought it was weird that Target can tell when you’re pregnant, you’ll find it equally bizarre that tampon provider Kotex analyzes Pinterest boards to tailor their giveaway prizes to the female recipients.

Ann Romney, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, has just crossed over to the dark side. The prospective first lady just opened an account with Pinterest, a Tumblr knockoff photo and article sharing site for invitation-only users to enlighten the world of their favorite baked goods, recipes, high heels, and vacation spots, among other things.