The refraction chamber: Twitter as sphere and network

Authors

  • Bernhard Rieder University of Amsterdam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v17i11.4199

Keywords:

Twitter, sampling, methodology, information diffusion, shared meaning, refraction, epistemology

Abstract

In this paper, we outline a study of the Twitter microblogging platform through a sample of French users. We discuss sampling methodology and compare three “issues” taken from the collected set of tweets. Based on the empirical findings we make a case for extending the notion of “information diffusion” to take into account questions of meaning, values, and ideology. We propose the concept of “refraction” to take a step toward this end.

Author Biography

Bernhard Rieder, University of Amsterdam

Department of Media Studies Assistant Professor

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Published

2012-11-04

How to Cite

Rieder, B. (2012). The refraction chamber: Twitter as sphere and network. First Monday, 17(11). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v17i11.4199