Tumblr is a unique blogging and social media platform that is probably best known for it’s passionate fandoms and unique content generated to be shared via social media. These content types include memes (using images and superimposed captions to create a humorous picture), animated GIFs (moving pictures that usually construct a scene, with captions appearing as well), and static images.
My topic is fan magazines, their evolution and application in the past and present. I believe Tumblr is a strong substitute for the modern fan magazine, and in many ways is better than it’s paper counterpart. It can also add to the paper magazine’s content and keep it relevant.
With the ability to post stationary and moving images, there is a flexibility rarely seen before in social media, blogging, and journalism, with more ways to convey information and capture the increasingly disinterested modern reader’s attention. Can you imagine fan magazines being able to go on Tumblr and create a blog? I can totally see an animated GIF of Vivien Leigh, for example, in one of her “Gone for the Wind” scenes, with a link to a feature story from Photoplay. Luckily, other Tumblrers have done this for me, minus the article:
http://hchickrocks.tumblr.com/post/98746563578/sir-you-you-should-have-made-your-presence
Strangely enough, modern fan magazines like US Weekly and People do have Tumblr accounts, but don’t do as much with them as I believe they should. I scanned the first ten US Weekly posts, and they were all static images. I expected there to be some GIFS and memes—why not, if the ability is there? All I can think is that they might have to pay to use those images, since they are media?
Tumblr is not just for fans—celebrities have also started using Tumblr. One notable example is Beyonce, whose characteristically flawless Tumblr is a conglomeration of images, promotional information, and GIFS.
In conclusion, I believe Tumblr is a great platform for fans of pretty much anything, as well as celebrities. It can also be a powerful force for promotion and can help present day fan magazines remain relevant in today’s technologically advanced environment.
-C
TechnoLife 