Tumblr: Chaotic Neutral

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Tumblr: Chaotic Neutral

Everyone and their son wishes they had a super power of some kind so they may take charge of their own fates. Well anything is possible on the internet where anyone can be influenced by the massive collection of social media and networks available. The powers of networks to influence people behaviour is something many have discussed in the past. I hope to shine new light on this topic through the power dynamics of a little site called Tumblr.

I have been using Tumblr for at least two years now. It like any other social media site has its posts, followers, likes and shares. The only difference is there’s no celebrities, no word limit and no end to the stream of information. Some may not know what exactly Tumblr is as it mainly is used by those aged 14-30. But its young demographic and lack of celebrity influence is exactly what gives its users power.

Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon theorises and explains how people behave as if they are constantly being surveyed when they of course are not. In this case it is the lack of that feeling that frees a user from their normal constraints and anxieties, allowing for posts on sensitive topics and for controversial opinions to be shared with no repercussion.

If power is a networked space of relations that allows productive and positive forces in society (Gaventa, 2003, p. 2), then the lack of conventional power sources would give way to what is the chaotic conglomeration of opinionated blogs with any and every subject matter being covered with no hesitation. What we are left with is a society where everyone is left to devise their own power dynamics that change over time.

But of course, no society could be quite as unorganized as that. There are cat pictures too. In fact what I’ve just described is more the perspective of someone on the outside of this networking system. These days Tumblr has become a safe space for likeminded people to share ideas or give advice and support. The major influences are the blogs that focus on single things Like Ones for the LGBT community or ones dedicated to inspirational quotes and stories. Or you can be like me and like or share funny pictures and post with opinions I agree with.

So over the next few weeks of closer observation into the “geographies of power” (Allen, 2003) that Tumblr has to offer, maybe we will see just what exactly drives this fascinating website and better understand its influence on social networking.