Megan

Tumblr's Impact

I just made an update on tumblr if you guys want to read it! I discuss how communication is done on tumblr, similar to Ally's hashtag research but primarily the language used on tumblr alone.
I'm going to post the full thing here, as well:

Is Communication Improved or Impaired?

There are many ways to interact and have a conversation with tumblr users. You can send a short 500 character message to a user’s inbox; you can reblog a post and add commentary; you can reply to a post (particularly if you have the Missing E extension, though tumblr does not approve of the add-on; that is another story).

However much of this communication involves an entirely new dialect, possibly even a new language. New terms and phrases have been created that are only known/used/understood by those immersed in the “tumblrverse” as aptly named by the users. 

• a bucket for my creys: something has made me very sad, so sad that I require a bucket for all of the tears I may shed
• yolo: you only live once
• U MAD?: often used against someone who is losing their temper over something, to taunt or troll *
• forever alone: based upon the rage comic character to express a deep feeling of loneliness, particularly in terms of being single or not in a romantic relationship
• FFFFFFFUUUUUUU: also based on a rage comic character, portraying a situation of extreme anger or exasperation (short for the “fuck” expletive)
• ASDFJKL;IHUADKVIVUFS: when a person is unable to decide what to write/say so they keyboard mash (typically starts with ASDFJKL); often demonstrates frustration or embarrassment
• WHAT IS AIR: meant to describe someone who is laughing so hard that he or she cannot breathe

* Trolling involves pestering someone(s), usually through negative and sarcastic remarks, sometimes intended for humor but other times intentionally rude.

** Many of these terms were defined on Know Your Meme. There are many more than those listed here, but these are a few common examples.

These are not phrases that would be used in day to day conversations outside of tumblr, in the “real world” as it is commonly called (IRL). Rather they are meant to remain within the realm as a code. They are shortened terms and phrases that can be extremely expressive and communicate the thoughts and feelings of an almost anonymous individual who may or may not live all the way across the planet.

The many mediums and phrases have made tumblr one of the most unique and innovative forms of communication on the internet. But the expansion of tumblr communication has also taken away from “IRL” communication. Many tumblr users have fallen into the stereotype of abandoning social life to interact with bloggers. There’s nothing wrong with being a part of a blogging sphere, but people should also embrace the life they have outside of technology. An equal balance of both could truly augment reality.