This document summarizes how the use of the hashtag #FeeltheBern on Twitter was directly correlated with events involving Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. It shows that the largest volume of #FeeltheBern tweets originated in locations hosting Sanders events, such as Iowa and New Hampshire around the time of the caucuses and primary elections. The relationship between the Twitter hashtag and Sanders' campaign events demonstrates the concept of "coded space," where software like social media platforms both reflect and shape real-world political and cultural phenomena.

1. Coded Spaces: How
Software Impacts Events
Involving Bernie Sanders
Nate Cyr
Trinity College
AMST 311 Data Driven Cultures
Final Presentation

2. “#BernDownForWhat was mentioned. We thought,
‘what do the kids like?’ We wanted something that
would carry his name all across the Internet and be
more than just a hashtag.” (2)
– Winnie Wong
digital strategist & co-founder of People For Bernie

3. When was #FeeltheBern Used?
2/3/16 – 2/5/16

4. Key Findings
• Iowa Caucus
• NH Democratic Town Hall
• NH Democratic Debate
• Announcement of Bernie Sanders’ SNL appearance
• Red Hot Chili Peppers ”Feel The Bern Benefit Concert”

5. Where was #FeeltheBern Used?
#FeeltheBern Tweets by Location 2/3/16 - 2/5/16

6. Key Findings
• Largest collection of #FeeltheBern tweets located
in areas hosting Bernie Sanders events.
• Iowa
• New Hampshire
• Los Angeles
• New York City

7. Code/Space
Software and Everyday Life
Rob Kitchin and Martin Dodge
“In coded space, software matters to the production
and functioning of a space, but if the code fails, the
space continues to function as intended, although
not necessarily as efficiently.” (18)

8. Summary
• Overall, the number and location of #FeeltheBern
tweets is directly affected by events involving Bernie
Sanders and his current campaign.
• The relationship between the Twitter hashtag and
events involving Bernie Sanders embodies the concept
of coded space.
(1) Kitchin, Rob, and Martin Dodge. 2014. “Introducing Code/Space.” In Code/Space: Software and
Everyday Life, 3–22. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
(2) Lazzaro, Sage. "The Surprising Origin of #FeelTheBern: Meet the Creator of the Viral Hashtag." The
Observer: Business and Tech. 09 Feb. 2016. Web.