It is easy to mistake what we do online as centrally about exposure and transparent exhibitionism. The explosive popularity of Pinterest — a social network based around collecting and sharing “beautiful” images — seems to suggest just the opposite: Rather than reflecting the naked truth of ourselves, we also embrace something a bit more pristine. Wandering on Pinterest can prompt a disorienting vertigo, a dizzying sugar high, with so much that is adorable and clean and sweet. Other networks, like Instagram, can similarly hurt the teeth. When digitally connected, we are increasingly scrolling beautiful.

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