How the creator economy is making you talk like the internet
Summary
In this TED Radio Hour episode, host Manoush Zomorodi explores how social media algorithms are reshaping language and culture. Linguist Adam Aleksic, author of *Algo Speak*, explains how creators adapt their speech to satisfy viral metrics, leading to new slang like "unalive" and "skibbity." The discussion highlights how platform incentives drive linguistic trends, creating echo chambers and accelerating the evolution of English through algorithmic mediation.
Topics discussed
Intro: Creator economy and Adam Aleksic
Algo Speak: Linguistics and viral storytelling
Censorship and the origin of 'unalive'
How algorithms shape language and echo chambers
Break: Ads and listener reviews
Viral slang: Demure, Skibbity, and Rizz
Language evolution from oral to digital media
Performing for the algorithm and accents
Break: Ads and sponsor messages
Generational labels and aesthetic cores
Media theory and creating viral content
Political polarization and extremist slang
Outro and final thoughts
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