Hi, Tumblr. Its Tumblr. Were Working On Some Things That We Want To Share With You.

Hi, Tumblr. It’s Tumblr. We’re working on some things that we want to share with you. 

AI companies are acquiring content across the internet for a variety of purposes in all sorts of ways. There are currently very few regulations giving individuals control over how their content is used by AI platforms. Proposed regulations around the world, like the European Union’s AI Act, would give individuals more control over whether and how their content is utilized by this emerging technology. We support this right regardless of geographic location, so we’re releasing a toggle to opt out of sharing content from your public blogs with third parties, including AI platforms that use this content for model training. We’re also working with partners to ensure you have as much control as possible regarding what content is used.

Here are the important details:

We already discourage AI crawlers from gathering content from Tumblr and will continue to do so, save for those with which we partner. 

We want to represent all of you on Tumblr and ensure that protections are in place for how your content is used. We are committed to making sure our partners respect those decisions.

To opt out of sharing your public blogs’ content with third parties, visit each of your public blogs’ blog settings via the web interface and toggle on the “Prevent third-party sharing” option. 

For instructions on how to opt out using the latest version of the app, please visit this Help Center doc. 

Please note: If you’ve already chosen to discourage search crawling of your blog in your settings, we’ve automatically enabled the “Prevent third-party sharing” option.

If you have concerns, please read through the Help Center doc linked above and contact us via Support if you still have questions.

Path of the Wayward Souls (Arc 0)

It’s said that not all those who wander are lost. But like any proverb, there are exceptions. And now, atop a grassy hill that is only one of many on a seemingly endless plain, there is an exception in the form of two weary travelers.

Or maybe just unprepared ones.

“I think we’re lost.” Nero had been looking at the map for the better part of five minutes before folding it with a huff. The map had been practically useless for a while now, but at least it could be kept for sentimental value.

“We could always ask someone for directions,” Ellie suggested, not paying attention to Nero at all and taking great delight in stepping on a poor unsuspecting anthill. Because she was too busy watching the ants scurry for their lives in the face of a malevolent giant, she didn’t see the very unimpressed look her best friend was giving her. 

“Ellie, we’re in the middle of nowhere,” Nero paused to take off his pack and put the map away, searching for a compass instead, “Who exactly are we going to ask?” 

Ellie had to think for a moment, becoming bored with the ants and settling on kicking the pile to bring about unimaginable chaos to the tiny community, before shrugging her shoulders and looking out across the horizon. Nero just sighed while muttering “Very helpful, Ellie…” 

The sun beat down on the two, Ellie shielding her eyes with a hand as she looked out over the grass, searching for something. Nero was searching too, but only for a compass that had migrated to the bottom of the bag somehow. 

And in only a matter of seconds, he had found the compass and had to steady himself after being nearly bowled over by a rather large wolf. 

“Hirudo-!” Nero had no time to say much else, as the wolf merely kept running toward Ellie, who greeted him with open arms and a very enthusiastic “PUPPY!” Nero dusted himself off while Ellie had her reunion with HIrudo, supporting the red wolf easily and letting him lick her face. He was happy to see the wolf, really, but that didn’t solve their current predicament. 

“Yes, yes, good to see you too, Hirudo. Next time, don’t try and knock me over please.” His hand sank easily into the soft fur of Hirudo’s scruff, and he rolled his eyes as Hirudo only let out a loud boof in response to Nero’s request. Oh well, you can’t win everybody. 

Ellie scratched at the fur of Hirudo’s back, praising him for being “Such a good boy, scouting the area,” before setting Hirudo down. She looked at Hirudo for one long moment, then at Nero, and then back at Hirudo to ask “Which way, buddy?” She purposefully ignored the sound of Nero’s palm meeting his forehead.

Hirudo barked once before beginning to run, circling around the two a few times before stopping in front of them, maw open like a smile. He took off again, stopping a little ways ahead to look back at them, tail wagging and barking again. 

“Well, you heard the baby, Nero. Hirudo says we’re going this way,” Ellie snarked, chuckling at Nero’s eye roll (fond as it may have been) before grabbing her pack where she left it and starting her trek down the hill. 

“Alright then,” Nero walked after Ellie, hand over his eyes and calling out, “Lead the way, Hirudo!” The grass was tall enough to come up to Nero’s waist, Hirudo a bright spot of red in a sea of green making the grass swish and sway with the movement. The sun was still high in the sky, bearing down on the adventurers with their focus on the journey ahead. “We’ve got a long way to go.” 

Where

You two hold me tight, hands clasped and it feels right.

Your strength unwavering, your kindness unending

Your loyalty, your gentle hands, with the callouses that don't catch and the claws that never left a mark.

Tell me, how can I not love it all?

You two teach me, to defend and protect and just be.

Your guidance calming, your wisdom all knowing

Your strong hands in mine, your kisses on my crown, the warmth so sweet an ache.

Tell me, how can I not love it all.

But I see your smiles and gestures, I see the emotions behind your eyes.

I see the gems that adorn you,

Ears, fingers, hearts.

I see this immortal love, what warriors and gods and men could never break. Is there a place for me here, in this ode to devotion, this worship of love?

It is an ache in me, for I know I have no place.

I cannot set foot on this holy ground, bringing blasphemy and ruin in my wake.

I would never forgive myself.

I stay in my role, I stay by your sides, but I can't help but wonder;

And I ask, with tears in my eyes

One day, will I be left behind?

I Met Him in a Dream (Poem)

I met him in a dream, long ago if I remember

He was bigger, he was taller,

But his face was just too real.

I'm waking up, it's just a dream

Before I go, he says

"Hey, it's me."

I met him in a dream again, I remember it this time

His hair is short, his chest is flat

But his voice sounds a lot like mine.

Before I woke I'm calling out,

So he said,

"Hey, it's me."

I met him in the mirror, for the first time in forever

His chest's not flat, his hair's too long

But his eyes are just like mine.

I'm seeing myself for the first time ever, so I'll look with everything I've got.

And hey, it's me.

was trying to find body positivity posts for trans guys that look like me and couldn’t. so here’s a post for all the trans guys with wide hips and dad bods. you are hot, you are desirable, and you are doing great

Mask Seller

The Mask Seller comes every year, no one knows his name or face. But they come with her car and his dogs all barking and pulls out the masks to sell.

Pretty masks, ugly masks, young and old, thin and wide, people clamor for masks of all kinds.

"Make me beautiful!" the neighbor's wife yells, and the Mask Seller sells one for only ten dollars.

"Make me younger!" cries the old man, and the Mask Seller sells it, but only for a quarter.

Today I am brave, and I asked what he has, "Masks of all kinds, for every shape and size."

They lean forward but not too much, and there's a smile beneath her veil so he asks me, "What would you like?" I don't know, I say. I just hate my face and I want something else, so they hum and she nods, listens to my tale. He taps me on the forehead, face still hidden by the veil.

"You've already got a mask," the Mask Seller says, suddenly old and wise. "I can't take it off, so you have to instead."

I thank them and I leave and mull it all over, I pull at my chin, my ears, my nose. But it doesn't come off, maybe the Mask Seller was wrong.

I stay for another time, until the Mask Seller comes again, and they say, "You still have that mask on, how about a deal?"

If I can take it off, before she leaves town, he'll buy it for a handsome sum. I don't care about the money, but I shake their hand and nod.

I stare at the mirror and catalogue my face, mulling over everything I hate. This isn't me, I say out loud, and with a pop the mask comes off.

I take it to the Mask Seller without looking in the mirror, and shout at her with glee, it's off, it's off, I'm finally free!

She takes the mask away, pats me once then twice. He's gone by morning, but I feel very light. The mirror's face isn't different, but it's happier than it was and oh, this is me.