Digital Spill: Black Data and Meaning-making in New Social Media

Abstract

Digital practitioners from Black Twitter are trying new social media platforms in the wake of Twitter’s platform collapse. In this thesis, I examine one of those platforms, SPILL, to understand the interface, practices, and beliefs and perceptions of the app as it functions in its introductory period. Toward that end, I utilize critical technocultural discourse analysis in this thesis. I argue that SPILL has inconsistent messaging and non-user perceptions that mark it as undesirable, which could spell its future demise. On the other hand, I argue SPILL is redeemable in its aims for a cultivated, safe experience and a popular live audio-visual option. However, I argue it is inconclusive whether SPILL can supplant the vital discursive publics of Black Twitter and the SPILL team should be careful of its many pitfalls