"Many
other networks have the same structure as the 'small world'"( Buchanan, M.
2002 ), especially in the online world, but more specifically; social media
sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. Though this blog will be focusing
on Tumblr and its connections with power, the idea and concept of space and
place.
http://imgur.com/UjLIBsV
According to Tumblr, they have created a blogging and social networking site that was
founded in early 2007. Tumblr allows users to post multimedia (text, audio,
video, picture) content to their created blog. Users can then follow and track
certain blogs that they share the same interests with, for example movies or TV
shows.
"Power is not a 'thing'. It is 'relational' it is a
result of connections and relationships." (Kuttainen, 2015) The power
Tumblr has to networking is that it connects people from all over the world
together on a single site. Anyone can follow anyone (Unless the blog is
private). Anyone can message anyone (other than those who block certain users)
no matter where you log in from in the real world. Tumblr being one of the top
social sites also has the power to create movements within certain topics and
debates. Multiple users have helped put the spotlight on many sensitive topics
such as racism, feminism, and other political issues that have within the
world.
The concept of place and space within Tumblr allows all
users the ability and choice to form another identity for themselves on the
internet. It enables them to take part of a place like a community of a certain
fandom for different topics and interests of theirs within the space of the social
networking site. Giving the blogger a metaphorical shield of confidence as they
can talk about topics easier since the user doesn't have to deal with social
anxiety with physical presence, no one is able to notice and comment on their
looks, or their body language. Users can choose an cartoon avatar or even an
alias so no one will find out personal details unless they give them the
information directly.
Reference List;
Buchanan, M. (2002). Nexus:
Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Science of Networks.
Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002:
Our Space: Networks, Narratives, The Making of Place, Lecture 2: Power: The
Panopticon. [Power Point Slides] Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Unknown (2015). Retrieved from http://imgur.com/UjLIBsV
Tumblr (2015). About
Tumblr. https://www.tumblr.com/about
I agree with the idea that the social-networking website Tumblr has the power to create movements in particular topics. I also agree with the comments made in the blog about space and place being directly linked to identity. Tumblr provides a space for people to develop a sense of identity. I believe this was explained very well in the blog. Networking is an additional key concept which can be linked to Tumblr. Due to the fact that Tumblr contains multiple ‘fandoms’, it is extremely networked. According to Kuttainen, v. (2015), “Some people are more connected than others”. Blogs that have more followers are essentially more networked; thus, more powerful. More popular blogs have the power to connect other blogs which extends their network. In addition, Tumble enables it’s users to create more than one blog. This provides the opportunity to explore different networks and even different places within the one space.
ReplyDeleteReference List:
Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, The Making of Place, Lecture 2: Power: The Panopticon. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au on 16/08/15.
From the argument you are making about Tumblr, you could argue that despite some of the content that gets posted, it is largely a community, almost like Facebook, but in it's own way. Much like Facebook, it appears as though you can create your own identity to achieve a sense of belonging or place, an online society where people develop identities in the form of an "avatar or 'second self'" (White, 2014), as happens all over the internet and social media sites. But I would like to ask you something about your statements of power being communal: do you think there still exists the presence of, as Kevin Allocca would say, "tastemakers"? In other words, people who "introduce us to new and interesting things and bring them to a larger audience"? I haven't been exposed to much in the way of Tumblr, however from what I have seen, it is not uncommon for things to go viral on Tumblr. Just a thought I had.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
White, P. (2014) The Impact of Social Media on Identity Construction. Retrieved on August 13, 2015 from https://prezi.com/esyd90erfu4n/the-impact-of-social-media-on-identity-construction/
Allocca, K. (2012) Why video go viral [video lecture] Retrieved on August 13, 2015 from https://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_allocca_why_videos_go_viral/