Rough and Tumblr: Blogging Newcastle

Abstract

This auto-ethnographic essay responds to the recent phenomenon of “place blogging” within the context of Newcastle, Australia. My ambivalence toward Newcastle off-line contrasts with my fascination with the way others aestheticise it online. In order to feel a sense of belonging in Newcastle, it seems I need to live vicariously through the viewing of others’ “spatial selves” on social media (Schwartz and Halegoua).