Data Mining a ‘Month of Madness’ on Twitter: Analyzing Grief Expression and Slacktivism in the Aftermath of the Orlando, Dallas, and Nice Tragedies

• In Event: CAT Interactive Paper Session 5

Abstract

Under a self-presentation theory framework while focusing on two aspects of Twitter usage — the expression of grief after a tragedy and the concept known as “slacktivism” — the purpose of this research is to analyze temporal changes in online reactions to mass tragedies. This research will use data mining techniques to examine trends in language use and grief expression to determine if and how online reaction to tragedy changes over time.

Author

• Stephenson Waters, U of Florida