Blog Four
Van Luyn (2015) stated that ‘self-narratives are constructs for a particular purpose and context’. This is especially true in relation to social media, and Tumblr is no different. We, as consumers of online media, present ourselves in a different light depending on what we are participating in. For instance, when discussing a show I enjoy, I may present myself in a less formative manner than when I am trying to make an argument in an academic setting.
Like Facebook, which McNeill (2012) describes as a means of constructing a collective identity, Tumblr facilitates a similar function in a much less linear fashion. The discussion on Tumblr is as diverse and varied as the bloggers that use it. Conversation is constantly going on between users, most often through ‘followers’ (other users who subscribe to be updated to any content you post). With the many kinds of people that inhabit the space of Tumblr it is not difficult to anything from ‘issues about representation in media’ to ‘meta discussing the latest tv show episode’ and everything in between.
Amongst all this chaos of information there are voices that I respect and appreciate more as they have proven to be sensitive to culture and diversity. These super connectors serve as a hub of communication for the many people in each group, directing opinion and enabling more complex discussion to occur. As such the distribution of power in various groups is unequally shared. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as these hubs with many followers can and do spread important information quickly and reliably.
References:
McNeill, L. (2012). There is no "I" in network: Social networking sites and posthuman auto/biography. Biography 35(1), 65-82. University of Hawai'i Press. DOI: 10.1353/bio.2012.0009
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002 Week Six Lecture Slides. Retrieved from https://www.learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Image Reference:
Diversity Puzzle. [Image] Retrieved from http://juliesondradecker.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/diversity.html
I feel it’s worth mentioning another type of power on Tumblr, one which frequently and effectively changes notions of collective identity. The option to anonymously send messages to any public Tumblr user is something that has been exploited largely in the name of sending “hate mail.” Until recently I thought this was something that only the sender could gain power from; having the ability to say whatever you like to whoever without consequence is power indeed. But more and more often now, Tumblr users are beginning to use hate mail as a way to publicise and reflect on social issues. When a user publicly replies to a piece of hate mail with an argument or retort that challenges the hate, it creates a sense of resilience and empowerment for everyone who sees it. Anonymous hate reshapes the identity of the entire Tumblr community, and even contributes to the respect and appreciation which, as you said, is given to certain voices.
ReplyDeleteReference
Response to anonymous hate [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2014-09/9/12/enhanced/webdr04/enhanced-13488-1410281864-1.jpg