Tumblr Field Guide is now available!
Hi! If you're from Twitter, welcome to the hellsite! I've managed to compile a fairly comprehensive guidebook on the in and outs of Tumblr and its etiquette written by myself and some long-time Tumblr veterans.
When I say "Tumblr veterans", I mean that we've been on this site in some capacity for around 10 years each now, if not more (I myself have been here on and off since around 2011). We're happy to see new people discover the unique nature of what is effectively our digital hometown.
That being said, this unique nature is chalked up to the way that Tumblr has been something of a haven from the corporate and influence-based culture that has seemingly enveloped the rest of the internet. While we're happy to welcome you here, we also wish you respect the fact that this has been a safe haven from corporatisation and influencer culture, and we ask that you help us keep it that way. You can find an explanation on the etiquette and taboos of Tumblr in the guide linked above.
For a summary guide, keep reading...
This place is great if you are an artist, or member of a fandom, or enjoy fanworks or fanart of all kinds, or all of the above. If you identify as any/all of the above, welcome! I do hope you enjoy your stay here.
We, however, are very protective of its "indie" feel and has strived to keep advertisers, "influencer culture", and capitalist interests away.
In a sense, Tumblr takes the well-worn advice of "be your authentic self" and turns it into a moral imperative that is expected of newcomers as well lest you'll be shunned; we don't want the relative safe haven nature of Tumblr, away from corporatisation and influencer culture, to be ruined. Hence, there are a lot of cultural mores, taboos, and expectations that are treated not as polite but as a moral responsibility to ensure the "sanctity" of Tumblr as a space away from said culture of advertisers and influencers.
In short:
Reblog stuff liberally. Don't just focus on posting your own stuff/freeloading, that's just being an arse. You'll also look like a bot. Don't look like a bot.
Don't try to be an influencer, and don't try to peddle. This isn't to say you can't promote your comms or store if you're an indie artist; just again don't be a freeloader or seek attention for its own sake. Help your fellow artists and community members out.
Seriously, reblog stuff, that's the crux of this site's interaction.
Understand the ways in which people comment including commenting in the tags, there's a whole section in the guide dedicated to this.
Don't engage in drama or dunking, leave that shit behind on Twitter, I don't want to see it here.
Absolutely do not engage with brand accounts, not even ironically or to dunk on them or whatever.
Tumblr is otherwise a very cosy and creative space that is at once expansive and rich but also nuanced, social, cooperative, friendly, and intimate. Follow the etiquette and help us protect this space from the onslaught of advertiser interests and infleuncer culture and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time on our happy little hellsite.
And, yes, please read the guide!
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I have a pet theory that a number of the things tumblr considers cringe receive this treatment because they threaten (one might say queer) the straight-queer binary. Vanillas who use kink paraphernalia as fashion accessories. Straight polyamorists. Things that are gay but not queer, like Boyfriends. Bi women who date/fuck too many men and not enough women. Drag hags.
This is expected behavior from, say, Judaism, but to see it in a community that largely defines itself on transgression of boundaries (we literally named "queering" after ourselves) is disheartening. There is no escape from dichotomy.
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MY DESTINY YOU SEE IS TO MAKE YOU INTO THE FIRE LORD I TRIED TO BE ONE WHO'S STRONG WHO RULES THROUGH FEAR. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS I'VE SHOWN HOW RUTHLESS YOU CAN BE. YOU CAN DENY IT FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BECOME JUST LIKE ME. AND THEN IN A SENSE I'LL BE FIRE LO
Other version:
Original:
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Also yes, the personification of the websites is your legacy now.
First of all, WHAT?? Is it real?xD All those fics inspired by my silly art I accidentally put too much effort in?
I guess. It is. Indeed became my internet legacy now, oops.
Second, have MORE then lmao. You did this to yourself, guys, you complimented my chaotic self too much. So here we go-
[PART 3] TUMBLR GUIDING REDDIT AROUND and INTRODUCTION OF TUMBLR's ROOMMATE - TWITTER :DD
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