What is a Tumblr, Anyway?

What is Tumblr?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:42:58 -0400

- 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

You can post photos or text

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:41:17 -0400

You can post photos or text

uglyrenaissancebabies: Unknown Artist, Portrait of the Deceased...

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:40:22 -0400

uglyrenaissancebabies:

Unknown Artist, Portrait of the Deceased Boy with Vanitas Symbols (Flemish, 17th c. [not Renaissance. Don’t really care.])

Soooooooooooo emo

You can reblog content from other users and add your own commentary to the post

Tumblr founder, David Karp, explaining what Tumblr is and what...

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:38:48 -0400

Tumblr founder, David Karp, explaining what Tumblr is and what makes it different

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/lgbt

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:37:10 -0400

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/lgbt

Literature Review

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:34:01 -0400

- 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 adolescents think the Internet is more effective in communicating intimate topics

Living Online - Tumblr's Social World

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:31:18 -0400

- 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 not be going through..."

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:29:02 -0400

“It’s a great way to feel connected and supported to people who may or may not be going through the same things as you. It feels like we are all looking out for each other in way.”

- Tumblr Meetup Organizer

"I use Tumblr as a way to escape from Facebook and Twitter. When I want to vent or share something I..."

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:27:00 -0400

““I use Tumblr as a way to escape from Facebook and Twitter. When I want to vent or share something I don’t want my friends or boyfriend to see””

- Tumblr User

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:26:00 -0400

In Conclusion

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:25:00 -0400

- 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