livejournal vs. tumblr
Okay, so I've been playing around on Tumblr for about six months now, give or take. There are lots of things I like about it--I wouldn't have an account if I didn't think that it was interesting and fun. It's a small time commitment, there's tons of variety, I think the fandom communities have largely moved in that direction (correct me if I'm wrong!), etc.
On the other hand, Tumblr is super, super impersonal. 120 people follow me, and I couldn't tell you half of their screen-names. You can only reply to posts if you catch them on your dash, and even then you can't reply to anyone else's reply. If you do reply to others, oftentimes the formatting makes it hard for outsiders to understand the conversation. As far as I can see (correct me if I'm wrong!) Tumblr doesn't seem to foster debate or friendships. Basically, it fosters anonymous squee. It's great for feeling like you're not alone, and again, it's fun...but you also rarely feel personally recognized, even if you feel included.
So...Tumblr is where it's at. But I don't know how much I love "it." I often find Tumblr unsatisfying...which only makes it more addictive. For me, Tumblr is exactly like eating lots of candy bars.
With this in mind, I've been trying to figure out a way to make Tumblr friends (the fact that you "follow" other users rather than "friend" them like on LiveJournal seems telling). I've started sending some users silly messages through the "ask" button. Sometimes people reply and we have fun little conversations, which is great. Lots of people I follow on Tumblr post messages asking their followers to message them--so I get the feeling many of us want to communicate.
Cue my latest idea for Tumblr--a Doctor Who rewatch community (link below!), much like you'd see on Live Journal. I feel like it has all the right pieces--people can submit their art/videos/meta/whatever, same as they'd usually post. Only they can do so on an account where they know the other people posting. I want to know who I'm "Tumbling" with...and, honestly, I'd like them to know me.
So far no one has joined the new Tumblr. I mean, I did just put it together over the past day or two. But that's the thing about Tumblr: either something takes off like crazy, or it falls flat. It makes me sad that I might not be able to turn Tumblr into something it isn't...because I'm sorry, I like knowing who I'm squee-ing with. I think that makes it way more fun!
But maybe that's just me...
I know a couple of my LJ friends are on Tumblr--do you get frustrated? Does it bother you at all?
Or, for those who haven't joined,--was it a conscious choice?
Is there somewhere besides LJ and Tumblr fanpeople are going and making friends?
And then, because I have to, there is a link to my comm er, group re-watch Tumblr at the bottom of this post. Just in case you're interested!
ETA 1: If you made it through all of this ranting, I am way impressed! This might be one of those journal entries no one reads, which is fine. Just needed to get it all off my chest. And if you did read + have opinions, I'd really love to hear them! Because I clearly think too much about his topic!
ETA 2: Maybe I should know to use Tumblr for Tumblr things, and Live Journal for actual conversation. Probably true...I just like the idea of making friends everywhere.
ETA 3: Aaaaand one of the most active, Tumblr-popular people I know just quit Tumblr. For the time being, at least. I should really try 2 weeks without Tumblr, just to see how it goes (I imagine I'd keep posting to the Doctor Who rewatch, but that's really not the same kind of time commitment, anyway). It's an idea...I'll keep you updated it that ever happens!
watchingwho.tumblr.com
On the other hand, Tumblr is super, super impersonal. 120 people follow me, and I couldn't tell you half of their screen-names. You can only reply to posts if you catch them on your dash, and even then you can't reply to anyone else's reply. If you do reply to others, oftentimes the formatting makes it hard for outsiders to understand the conversation. As far as I can see (correct me if I'm wrong!) Tumblr doesn't seem to foster debate or friendships. Basically, it fosters anonymous squee. It's great for feeling like you're not alone, and again, it's fun...but you also rarely feel personally recognized, even if you feel included.
So...Tumblr is where it's at. But I don't know how much I love "it." I often find Tumblr unsatisfying...which only makes it more addictive. For me, Tumblr is exactly like eating lots of candy bars.
With this in mind, I've been trying to figure out a way to make Tumblr friends (the fact that you "follow" other users rather than "friend" them like on LiveJournal seems telling). I've started sending some users silly messages through the "ask" button. Sometimes people reply and we have fun little conversations, which is great. Lots of people I follow on Tumblr post messages asking their followers to message them--so I get the feeling many of us want to communicate.
Cue my latest idea for Tumblr--a Doctor Who rewatch community (link below!), much like you'd see on Live Journal. I feel like it has all the right pieces--people can submit their art/videos/meta/whatever, same as they'd usually post. Only they can do so on an account where they know the other people posting. I want to know who I'm "Tumbling" with...and, honestly, I'd like them to know me.
So far no one has joined the new Tumblr. I mean, I did just put it together over the past day or two. But that's the thing about Tumblr: either something takes off like crazy, or it falls flat. It makes me sad that I might not be able to turn Tumblr into something it isn't...because I'm sorry, I like knowing who I'm squee-ing with. I think that makes it way more fun!
But maybe that's just me...
I know a couple of my LJ friends are on Tumblr--do you get frustrated? Does it bother you at all?
Or, for those who haven't joined,--was it a conscious choice?
Is there somewhere besides LJ and Tumblr fanpeople are going and making friends?
And then, because I have to, there is a link to my comm er, group re-watch Tumblr at the bottom of this post. Just in case you're interested!
ETA 1: If you made it through all of this ranting, I am way impressed! This might be one of those journal entries no one reads, which is fine. Just needed to get it all off my chest. And if you did read + have opinions, I'd really love to hear them! Because I clearly think too much about his topic!
ETA 2: Maybe I should know to use Tumblr for Tumblr things, and Live Journal for actual conversation. Probably true...I just like the idea of making friends everywhere.
ETA 3: Aaaaand one of the most active, Tumblr-popular people I know just quit Tumblr. For the time being, at least. I should really try 2 weeks without Tumblr, just to see how it goes (I imagine I'd keep posting to the Doctor Who rewatch, but that's really not the same kind of time commitment, anyway). It's an idea...I'll keep you updated it that ever happens!
watchingwho.tumblr.com