COM 337 Project: Tumblr

@com337tmblr-blog

For our Theory Application Assignment, we have chosen to apply the Social Information Processing Theory on one of the most popular microblogging sites in the world: Tumblr. This project was done by Cornelius Jerome and Gwen Chin from the University at Buffalo, SIM Global Education.

25 posts

Posts

Tumblr is a microblogging website and social networking platform that allows users to post multimedia and text content onto a personalized blog. Tumblr users can share photos, gifs, videos, text posts, links, chats and audio clips with followers of their blog - all according to a common theme.

Tumblr users can join millions of communities on the platform through the use of tags on their posts; starting conversations by reblogging each other’s content.

Microblogging can be taken on the go, as the Tumblr application is available to download on any smartphone!

Tumblr is a creative space for its users to express themselves however they please.

History

Founded in 2007 by web developer and entrepreneur David Karp, Tumblr began as a short-form microblogging platform that merged blogging and social networking; allowing its users to connect and share their content with others in the same community (Tumblr, 2019).

Users can use the platform to create original content or curate (re-blog) others’ content.

Upon registering an account with Tumblr, users can customize everything that goes into their blog - from the URL address to the theme of the blog. Users can also integrate their Instagram and Twitter account, making it so much easier to post multimedia content.

Tumblr users are able to privately or anonymously connect with other users through private messages via the “Ask” box.

Examples of functions - Text

Many writers use the text function to convey their opinions or thoughts to the public. It can be as short as a mere few sentences to stories that can span across pages.

Examples of functions - Photo

For more users who prefer a more pictorial showcase of their thoughts, pictures of themselves or things they like are used instead.

Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?

Melina Marchetta, Finnikin of the Rock

Examples of functions - Quote

Sometimes, it is not the number of words, but the quality of the language used to convey one's message that is important. This highlights the usage of quotes.

Do you have a cute cat picture? Submit it here!

Examples of functions - Link

Some bloggers like to use this function as a way to send the user back to either an old link or a URL that they like. In this case, cute cats.

Examples of functions - Chat

Gwen: Hey Jerome

Jerome: Yes Gwen?

Gwen: What did the Buffalo say to his son when he left for college?

Jerome: I don't know Gwen, what did he say?

Gwen: Bison

Whilst using the chat function of Tumblr, there might be instances of something cute or funny that happens in the chat that you would like to share with the rest of your followers. This is where Tumblr chat is used.

Examples of functions - Audio

Another way for a blogger to showcase their personality is through music. Either from their own creations or downloaded online for sharing, Tumblr allows musicians and music lovers alike can bond.

Examples of functions- Video

Videos are also another alternative for users to connect. Either sharing their own content or videos externally, everyone has the opportunity to showcase their interests.

Relationship Development:

Tumblr allows initial relationship development between strangers who share the same interests and provides a messaging function that facilitates future relationship maintenance.

This platform may also increase the likelihood of bloggers interacting beyond Tumblr; taking the relationship to other new media platforms or even face to face.

Tumblr Users

Discover new interests by following blogs related to the desired theme. They also engage in Dyadic interaction with other blog owners by sending them messages in their ‘ask’ box and exchange information and develop online relationships with other bloggers within their virtual communities.

Verbal Communication:

Text-based messages; ‘Ask’ box questions

Verbal communication is encouraged through the exchange of text-based messages and ‘ask’ box questions to other Tumblr users.

Users can choose to anonymously leave a question in a user’s ‘ask’ box, or identify themselves through their blog username.

Tumblr users can also choose to answer a question publicly or in private.

Using verbal communication may be impersonal, but users adapt to the linguistic code over time and use it as a strategy for impression formation (Walther, 1996).

Nonverbal Communication:

eg. Images (original or curated); Stickers; GIFs; Emojis

On the other hand, nonverbal communication is stimulated via images, stickers, gifs, and emojis.

Pairing nonverbal communication can help repeat, substitute, complement and accent the verbal communication (Reynolds, 2016).

A convo on Tumblr

Gwen: Hi

Jerome: Hey

As Tumblr does not support a video or audio call function, a computer-mediated communication (CMC) channel does not support the social presence that face-to-face interaction characterizes (Walther, 1996). Thus, less attention is given to the presence of the other user. With less social presence, messages may be more impersonal (as cited in Walther, 1996).

Time Considerations:

Walther (1992) proposes that 10 minutes of face-to-face interaction is the rough equivalent of 40 minutes of CMC between users.

As Tumblr does not have video or audio call functions on its platform, time functions similar to what Walther (1992) suggests. 10 minutes of face-to-face interaction is equivalent to 40 minutes before a user replies to a message sent to them.

The Hyperpersonal Perspective consists of 4 main elements:

1) Sender: Selective Self-Presentation

2) Receiver: Overattributtion of Similarity

3) Channel: Communicating in your own Time

4) Feedback: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

COM 337 Project: Tumblr @com337tmblr-blog - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

COM 337 Project: Tumblr