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towardsagentlerworld:

  • people typically use tumblr for personal blogging, which includes venting about issues that affect them.
  • people reblog venting that they find relatable, and angry posts that resonate with them.
  • because of this, the posts that spread the furthest are frequently pithy expressions of pain or anger, often related to a specific issue.
  • and because of that, the most commonly-seen posts about any given issue are typically personal ranting or venting.
  • this normalizes venting as a style of discourse on tumblr.
  • this then leads tumblr users to write discourse – actual arguments about specific issues – in the style of venting.

…the problem with this is that venting has – and should have – different norms than discourse and debate. if you’re venting, you’re not trying to discuss the subtleties of an issue, or make policy recommendations. you’re not interested in debating at all. typically you’re just trying to express a single point: “this hurts me, and i wish it would stop.”

so it feels like derailing or nitpicking when someone takes issue with your specific wording. and it feels hurtful and inappropriate when someone tells you that your tone is too strong, or that you should be nicer, or that you’re being uncharitable. 

but if all discourse on tumblr is written in this style…

…then you see posts expressing strongly-worded sentiments you find alarming, posts that make sweeping generalizations that seem dangerously wrong, and…

…and you don’t know if you can engage. if those posts are just personal venting, then it’s unkind and unhelpful to turn them into debates when they were never meant as such.

but if you see those same posts being reblogged and changing other people’s minds… 

then you only really have 3 options:

  1. ignore the post, even if you’re scared that it’ll keep circulating and changing minds in a way that’s harmful,
  2. try and express your disagreement, even though your disagreement might be seen as insensitive nitpicking, and may be hurtful to people who were just trying to vent,
  3. or express your disagreement in a way that’s also venting – talk about how the post has harmed you in particular, so that others won’t think that you’re nitpicking or being insensitive – you’ve been hurt as well.

if you choose 3, it’s very likely that your post will be reblogged and circulated by everyone who finds your venting relatable.

….and so venting continues to be the most common form of discourse on tumblr.