#Hashtags

Twitter, Instagram, television contests: the hastag is everywhere!  We cannot escape the hashtag no matter how much we would like to.  The hashtag has even become the catalyst for many jokes.  Let's face it we all know the over hashtagger, who underneath all their instagram pictures, writes every description possible using hashtags. #selfie #selfienation #selfies #TFLers #me #love #pretty #hansome #instagood #face #fun #smile, and yes I did copy that from someone's picture, and yes I didn't even copy them all.  What about he hastagger who uses the hashtag to cram their sentences into one word #lovesthecrinklybedpaper, although I must admit I have done this before as a joke.  The reality of the situation is we are giving the hashtag a bad reputation.  So why was it originally created?

After discussing in class the idea of how we can spread art and digital media, I automatically thought of the hashtag.  It can be such a useful tool if used correctly.  I decided to see how ideas and art can be spread through the hashtag.

Twitter
This social medium allows people to explore and find new contests that they probably wouldn't have heard of without the hashtag.  I decided to search #artcontests and through that I  found Contest Watchers and Revolution Art Magazine, which are international contests that allow you to enter your art to win prizes and get recognition for what you do.

The hashtag can also guide us to find new information, or guide us to sitest that teach us how to learn new things.  I hashtagged #slampoetry and found this link that had a video teaching the 5 easy steps to becoming a slam poet.

If I wanted to do a DIY project, but don't know what to do, I could easily hastag #DIY and find a list of artist who are willing to share their secrets. Painted palette garden & craft ideas 

Even with Instagram I can hashtag anything I may be interested in, whether it be art, hair tutorial videos, or whatever else interests me.

We may be afraid of the hashtag, but we shouldn't be.  The hashtag really is a great tool that can help us explore new venues and learn how to do new things.  We can even connect with other people that may inspire us, or that we may inspire.  Instead of misusing the hashtag, we should learn how it can be a powerful tool in catapulting as to inspiration, creativity, or exploration.