Disastrous - Tumblr Posts

so. FUN FACT

tumblr is apparently rolling out a beta for a new post editor that essentially makes it so there are no longer post “types” (text post, audio post, photo post, etc.), and instead all types of content are better integrated into a single post. pretty neat, right?

…until you read the fine print.

The maximum number of total content blocks allowed in a single post is 250.

i emailed support and asked whether each paragraph counts as a content block. i received this reply:

SO. each paragraph counts as a content block, and i’m only allowed 250 content blocks in one post. the solution provided was to reformat my fics by using shift+enter after every paragraph instead of simply enter. which is already unnecessarily annoying in of itself, but then you come to the second hurdle: 

The maximum character length of a single text block is 4096 characters.

so–what?? besides spending my time writing thousands upon thousands of words, i’m expected to copy-paste it and then reformat everything, counting every single one of those words to make sure they fit within the restrictions? or i’m supposed to chop my fics up into multiple parts, even when i don’t want to? how exactly are writers supposed to write on this platform?? as you all know, my style tends to run pretty dialogue-heavy, so i start new paragraphs (and, thus, content blocks!!!) pretty damn often. i did a quick check, and let it snow, at almost 19k, is 550 paragraphs. with this new system, i would be forced to upload it in three (3!!!!!) posts! even my shortest chapter of ego, at 8.8k, is 350 paragraphs, and i’d have to split it in two.

this is honestly a formatting nightmare as a writer, and this is a decision that is liable to drive content creators away from the site and change fandom culture as a whole. 

please. if you enjoy reading content on this site and want to continue enjoying content on this site, please don’t let tumblr make things harder for writers! since the tumblr team is supposedly eager to hear what everyone thinks, it would really help if you could message support and share your concern about the issue–maybe we can stop this disaster before it starts.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AND WHATS HAPPENING TO THEM!

hi guys! i dont normally make posts like this, but i feel like i need to speak out due to the platform i have on this app. recently, i’m sure you’ve been made aware of the violent and disgusting covid-based hate crimes targeted towards asians lately, not only in america, but pretty much everywhere. this type of behavior towards someone based on their race or ethnicity is absolutely inexcusable and vile. whether the attacks are micro-aggressions or physical assault, it is still harming the asian community and further associating asians with covid-19.

while this post may be informative, i am still white passing, meaning i have not experienced racism targeted towards me before. i can only provide so much information, as i have not been the target of racism-fueled attacks. i highly recommend that you read other resources written by bipoc in order to get a better understanding of what’s happening!

what can you do to help?

firstly, if you see a person getting attacked (verbally, physically, etc.) protect them! calmly intervene if it is safe for you to do so or inform the nearest authority figure near you.

reprimand your peers for their racism! racism comes in all shapes and form; it doesn’t just boil down to hate crimes and slurs. racist stereotypes you may think are ‘jokes’, micro-aggressions, and even drawing harmful assumptions on a person just because of their race are all examples of racism.

amplify asian voices! the asian community is speaking up against the surge of hate crimes, however, a lot of it is covered by media and algorithms! do research, listen to podcasts, watch interviews, repost, etc! the asian community is speaking, we have to listen.

use your privilege for the better. if you are white or white passing, it’s a given that you are born with more privileges based off of your appearance. while this privilege is unfair, we can still use our privileges for the better. if you see someone being discriminated against do not be afraid to speak up and say something! protect anyone you witness being the victim of racism-fueled aggression. use your platform to speak up about hate crimes!!

do not speak over bipoc voices! do not dismiss it if a bipoc person is telling you they would feel more comfortable if you did or didn’t do something; listen if they tell you a certain thing you or another person said or did was racist or wrong; let them use their voice! you can do this by allowing them to speak up on your platform (no matter the size), supporting them if they make a post or statement surrounding their experience as a bipoc, or just by listening to them!

finally, here are some resources that you should go read/support that will help you understand what is happening to the asian community and how you can help! this brief post i’ve made is only the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more you can do!

important + informational websites and articles

- report instances of hate crimes

- bystander intervention training

- learn about america’s long history of scapegoating its asian citizens

- ‘model minority’ myth

- the importance of asian and black solidarity

- stop covid-19 disinformation

- how you can help curb the surge of anti-asian violence

- what you can do about anti-asian violence

organizations

- stop aapi hate

- hate is a virus

- act to change

- asian americans advancing justice

- national council of asian pacific americans

- asian leaders alliance

fundraisers

- support the cause against anti-asian violence

- gofundme for vicha ratanapakdee

- (please message or send an ask if you have a personal gofundme or know of another gofundme surrounding this issue that you’d like me to add)

due to the fact that i am american, a lot of the resources are targeted more towards helping asian-americans. if you’re not from the states and have resources that could help support the asian community somewhere else, i highly recommend that you provide it whether it be in your own post or a reblog of this post!

please amplify asian voices! this post is not as informative as the ones i’ve linked and other posts that the asian community has made! please support those!!