Rules of Tumblr

Hey guys.

Sorry for the super long and very unexpected hiatus. Thank you so much to the 5,000+ of you who stayed with me, I really appreciate it.

Although my personal life is still super busy, I am excited to resume posting Rules and Facts, and so are my wonderful helpers Muffy and Adina.

Thank you so much, again! Cheers to the end of a huge hiatus!

edit: If you haven't already, please go follow the Facts blog. Most of the submissions are ending up there anyway- sorry about that!

That's not a rule; it's a statement of opinion.  

People like us and our followers aren't true Tumblrs?  Look who's imposing rules now.

Why do I get the impression that you’re the same anon as the previously published message?  If you are, your grammar and punctuation has degenerated rather rapidly.  

I’d argue that Tumblr allows for a greater deal of anonymity that YouTube does not, hence why Tumblr users tend to be more secretive.  Yes, it’s a website and the internet is public.  As you can no doubt attest, having the ability to interact with others anonymously is quite liberating and some people want to protect that.  Is that really such a terrible thing?

If you scroll through the Rules, you'll find that they aren't actually Rules.  Mostly silly and fun collections of unofficial "rules" we've come across while on Tumblr and/or have been submitted by people who follow this blog.

Tumblr has no real rules but there are a number of things that are just generally accepted.  That's what we're compiling here.  You don't have to follow these things.  I'm probably one of the biggest culprits of talking about Tumblr in my everyday life.  Hell, I've written about it in a university paper.  

I suppose you could if you really wanted to.  It's the internet; you're free to do whatever the hell you want.  

HOWEVER: Consider the following before you send that (presumably anonymous) message:

Why am I sending this message to this person?

How will sending this message affect them?

Why are they producing this reaction in me?

Is it really worth my time?

Sending hate, anonymous or not, can really hurt and have very real and serious consequences.  Hiding behind an anonymous online profile is not only low and cowardly, but it's bullying.  Flat out, pure, simple bullying.  There is a real human being on the other side of that screen who has feelings just like you.  Don't write anything you wouldn't say to their face.  Or better yet, don't say anything you wouldn't want said to you.  It's just common human decency.  

If the message is going to be directed at someone who is being abusive towards you, BLOCK THEM AND REPORT IT TO TUMBLR.  Tumblr Support will help you manage the issue and, in some cases if the harassment is extensive enough, terminate their account.  

Don't send hate.  It's childish and it makes you look like a giant bags of dicks.  

Never try to do your homework while on Tumblr. Tumblr always wins.