infinite scroll How Tumblr Tumbled: The Rise, Fall & Resurgence of Gen Z’s Favourite Platform
Edit: Yahoo bought Tumblr in 2013, not 2023 lol. I misspoke right at the start, apologies!
In this week's episode, I explore the rise, fall, and recent resurgence of Tumblr— the microblogging site that defined Gen Z internet culture for years. I look at the site's origins, why it became so popular, and the lasting impact Tumblr had on the social media user experience and online trends. I also dive into some of the platform's biggest personalities, like Acacia Brinley, and popular sides of the platform both good and bad, like the pro-ana movement and the fuckyeah blogs.
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Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeMBN1l45U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJzJnhs2ghg
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/zh6stb/acacia_brinley_villain_or_victim_the_downfall_of/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/zjerml/acacia_brinley_villain_or_victim_the_downfall_of/
https://www.thecut.com/2017/05/instagram-teen-idol-alexis-ren-on-being-perfect.html
https://www.wmagazine.com/story/barbie-ferreira-model-aerie-interview
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/rise-and-fall-of-jess-millers-pizza-empire-20160512-gotftv.html
McCracken, Allison, Alexander Cho, Louisa Stein, and Indira Neill Hoch, eds. A Tumblr Book: Platform and Cultures. University of Michigan Press, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.11537055.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/tumblr-says-its-queerest-social-media-platform
Oliver L. Haimson, Avery Dame-Griff, Elias Capello & Zahari Richter (2021) Tumblr was a trans technology: the meaning, importance, history, and future of trans technologies, Feminist Media Studies, 21:3, 345-361, DOI: 10.1080/14680777.2019.1678505
https://www.vice.com/en/article/kbbpem/tumblr-says-no-more-thinspiration
https://www.nylon.com/beauty/tumblr-eating-disorder-content-is-on-tiktok-how-to-navigate-it
https://www.vogue.com/article/2014-tumblr-girl-aesthetic
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/how-tumblr-became-popular-for-being-obsolete