Follow the Yellow Brick Network -by Madeline Simpson

Image 1. Divergent Options (2017). The invisible connections in the Virtual World. Retrieved from https://divergentoptions.org/2017/03/12/call-for-papers-options-in-cyberspace/

Continuing on from our previous discussion regarding Space and Place, this next blog will discuss the link between Maps, self/community and Tumblr. “Cyberspace is an alternate geography that needs to be seen, witnessed, and experienced in order to exist” (Barnes, G. 1997. p.1).  It is important to compare the virtual world to the real world when becoming a participant observer of a social media site. How do individuals behave and think on Tumblr in relation to their real lives? How does the Tumblr community differ from real life communities? While participating, I followed blogs with similar interest to my own, for example: shoes. Through further exploration I found that these blogs, although based on the same theme, were created by a completely different range of people including a 44-year old woman from Hungary and a 14-year old girl from New Zealand. However, it is only in virtual life that I have made connections with these people, I would not necessarily be friends with those people in real life. 

The way in which we navigate a social media site has been expressed by many academics to compare to a map of the physical world. Woods, Kaiser & Abramms (2001) stated “every map is a purposeful selection from everything that is known, bent to the mapmaker’s ends. Every map serves a purpose. Every map advances an interest” (p.3). But what about imagined maps and imagined geography? How does this relate to Tumblr or social media at all you might ask? Well, as explained last week, the Space where Tumblr was created is now a Place with meaning and purpose. Through reading the work of academics such as Wood, D et al and Poutry, R and closely following the lectures of Dr Victoria Kuttainen I have come to understand that participants of Tumblr, myself included, are the way in which this ‘cognitive map’ exists (Barnes, G. 1997. p.1). The reason for these cognitive maps is to navigate our way through social media sites. 

Tumblr is evidently inclusive, and ethnically diverse with perhaps the only limitation being the demographic that is most attracted to Tumblr. Business Insider (2013) reported that 46% of Tumblr users were between the age of 16 and 24 (Smith, C). Tumblr gives you the option of using a ‘search bar’. The categories seem endless with everything from dogs to architecture to fashion to romance. No matter your interests or passions, there is something for everyone. Tumblr is the opposite of exclusive, as it is a social media platform that includes people of all ethnicities and backgrounds with a range of values/likes/dislikes. As a participant observer, it has recently come to light that some Tumblr profiles are solely based around the users chosen religion including but not limited to Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Through examining Tumblr in an active manner, I have begun to create a map of this virtual world. I know where to go-or rather-where to click, to achieve in finding the profile I desire.   

Even though participants of Tumblr may be seas apart on a physical map, they are only one click away in the virtual world. Individuals and communities do not often behave the same way in both worlds. However, this is not necessary a negative thing. People are connected by the categories they are interested in and form bonds on shared likes/dislikes/passions. Tumblr is made up of people all around the world with everything or nothing in common, yet we feel so close geographically through the cognitive maps we have created for ourselves. 

Reference List: 

Barnes, G. (1997). Passages of the Cyber-Flanuer. Retrieved from http://www.raynbird.com/essays/Passage_Flaneur.html

Divergent options. (2017). CyberSpace. Retrieved from https://divergentoptions.org/2017/03/12/call-for-papers-options-in-cyberspace/

Prouty, R. (2009). One-Way Street: A Turtle on a leash. Retrieved from http://onewaystreet.typepad.com/one_way_street/2009/10/a-turtle-on-a-leash.html

Smith, C. (2013). Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com.au/tumblr-and-social-media-demographics-2013-12?r=US&IR=T)

The Audiopedia. (2017, Feb 9^th) What is Cognitive Map? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM6HzjDFjtc

Tuan, Yi-Fu. (1977). Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience. London: Edward Arnold (Publishers). 

Wood, D. Kaiser, L. W. Abramms, B. (2001). Seeing Through Maps: Many Ways to See the World. Amherst, MA: New Internationalist Publications.