Why Tumblr Works (for me)
When I consume content — be it on the internet, in a theater, or in a library — I am, like I imagine others as well, looking for a bit of myself in whatever is in front of me.
When I read a book, I’m looking to connect with one of the characters. When I watch a show or view a film, I’m hoping something hits home and impacts me emotionally. And when I’m online, reading blogs, I’m searching for something to relate to, for someone that’s feeling what I’m feeling, that can validate or confirm my opinion, and make me feel good about myself.
On blogs there is basically no barrier between reader and writer. There is interaction in emails, comments, links, videos, and bookmarking, and it goes both ways - unlike a television set or a book on a shelf. When I’m online I’m looking to bond and connect with other like minded people out there, be inspired by the very cool things they’re out there doing themselves to get out there and do things myself, to find support in the life problems I’m having, and to build my arguments stronger in educated debate in forums and message boards.
What makes Tumblr work, what makes this online publishing platform special, is that it is so easy, so earnest, so transparent, and so hopeful. Sure, not everyone uses the internet to build each other up, but a majority of Tumblr users do - they get it.
If all we’re looking for out there is for someone, in an introspective moment of raw honesty, to post something real and for someone else reading it to immediately relate and feel like this stranger said it better than I ever could and with two clicks (reblog, post), they’ve copied it to their own site with the underlying message that yes, I support this person, like their post, and want to be a part of it. I want it on my page, I want to contribute and add on to it, and I want the person that put it out there to know that they are not alone.
And sometimes blogging can feel very solitary, but Tumblr is based around the principle that we really aren’t alone, that there are other users feeling the same way, and we can all make it through this together, building each other up, finding solutions to the problems of others, and cheering everyone along in this journey.
Plus, you get to see really cool pictures, meet interesting people, discover really amazing places and things to visit and do, bounce ideas around, find awesome things to read, get your news subjectively and immediately, and be jealous of someone else’s life on a daily basis. So, really, if you don’t have a Tumblr, you probably should. Fix that, now.
