April 2012
11 posts
What is Tumblr?
- A microblogging and social networking site rolled up into one
- Began in 2007 - 42.6 million blogs as of February 2012
- Allows users to follow, reblog, or post original content (multimedia or text)
- Posts displayed on user’s homepage (dashboard) in real time
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/lgbt →
Literature Review
- Not a lot of Tumblr focused lit. - majority is centered around Facebook or Twitter
- “Computer-mediated communication” reduces size of one’s offline social circle, decreases communication among members of the same household - Facebook/Twitter
- Blogging creates communities online (LiveJournal) - personal expression and identity development
- 36% of socially anxious...
Living Online - Tumblr's Social World
- Existence of Tumblr lingo: reblog, dashboard, tumblelog
- We put our whole lives online - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.
- Either in addition to or in replacement of “offline” relationships
- Tumblr has created a space unique on the web - you can make it whatever you want
“It’s a great way to feel connected and supported to people who may or may...”
– Tumblr Meetup Organizer
“I use Tumblr as a way to escape from Facebook and Twitter. When I want to vent...”
– Tumblr User
In Conclusion
- Tumblr can be whatever you want it to be which is why it works so well
- This generation was primed to accept a site like Tumblr
- My original hypothesis was proven incorrect - not looking to move the connections offline
