Is Instagram a Fad?

Instagram is the latest social networking site to be up on the internet. The question is: is it a fad? And the answer: Heck no. Instagram, like Facebook, is the product of a lot of work, a lot of thought, and a lot of investment. The makers of Instagram connected with a former employee of Facebook who helped them, in turn, launch their application. Ever since, the application has gained popularity in a manner not similar to MySpace. It was like Facebook with a mash up of Twitter: celebrities started getting Instagram accounts to post pictures on Twitter. Soon enough, the application caught on. Whether it is because of the instantaneous gratification of posting a picture and getting feedback, or because the application acts as a way to demystify celebrities lives, Instagram is going strong and it is here to stay.There is something beautiful about the communities auto follower Instagram, even when people are grumpy, they still are interacting in a way that is not available on Facebook or even MySpace. People complement each other, connect with each other, and they can do that without sitting in front of a computer. They can do this from their phones or iPod touches. In an article called Facetagram Photo Opportunity, published in the Economist, the writer says, Instagram has proved irresistible largely because of two big trends that are transforming the technology landscape. The first is the rapid rise of the mobile internet, which is being driven by a proliferation of smartphones and wireless broadband connections. The second is the desire of people to be able to share stuff with their pals from wherever they are. These forces have already spawned a number of mobile-phone-focused social networks such as Path and Foursquare.The writer reflects, Instagram has blossomed precisely because it is cooler, less cluttered and less commercial than Facebook. Not only is it opening doors for other applications, it is also making photography and art easier than ever to share. I would add Vine to the list of applications that Instagram has inspired. It is a video version of the application. There is a newfound confidence found online because people rarely bash each other on Instagram. In my year on the application, I have never seen anyone respond negatively to the other, even with celebs. Instead, people tend to offer constructive criticism and maintain a good respect for boundaries. You can set up your account on private, and thus you can restrict who sees you. You can block or report anyone who bothers you and it is just a safe place.