Unit I: The Tumblr Essay
My critical analysis essay was based on Tumblr. This was challenging as tumblr as a whole has not changed much over the years. Yes, the layout is a bit different, but the concept and use of the site is basically the same. It took some digging to really pinpoint how blogging has changed. Mobile capabilities are becoming more integrated and different formats (video and audio posts, as well as pictures) are more popular than ever, reflecting the visual nature of social media recently-- hence the popularity of websites like Instagram and Vine. I emphasized that, while Tumblr is a social site, many users are hesitant to connect with other social media sites because of this image of Tumblr as a safe-haven for young people away from the "mainstream" where their parents and grandparents are beginning to use the internet. This has created sort of a cult atmosphere with inside jokes and weird humor not understood elsewhere.
Unfortunately, this didn't help much on the final paper, as I wasn't allowed to use research to back any of my assertions up. It did, however, get me thinking about why blogging is so popular and what exactly I gain from this strange website community.
