Group chats on Twitter

摘要: We report on a new kind of group conversation Twitter that we call chat. These chats are periodic, synchronized conversations focused specific topics and they exist at massive scale. The groups the members these not explicitly known. Rather, agree hashtag meeting time (e.g, 3pm Pacific Time every Wednesday) to discuss subject interest. Topics numerous varied. Some support groups, for example, post-partum depression mood disorder groups. Others about passionate interest: include skiing, photography, movies, wine foodie communities. develop definition is inspired by how sociologists define present an algorithm discovering prove our algorithms find all under certain assumptions. While course known people who participate in discussions, what do believe scale variety provide some insight into nature based over two years tweets. Finally, show growing phenomenon hope reporting their existence propels growth even further.