Are you fluent in ‘Algospeak'? Social media has spawned its own vocabulary and syntax, and a new book argues that we should all pay attention

Boston Globe

2 days ago

He began writing a blog called
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For now he's a full-time content creator whose work has him on TikTok all day for research, and as of this week, a debut author. Aleksik's book, '
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'I'm looking at other people's videos,' says Aleksik. 'I'm looking at my own videos. I'm thinking about how my language is being affected by these platforms. And the more I started thinking about that, the more I began to realize algorithms are really driving everything.'
And the algorithms that decide which videos we see and which words we hear (and don't hear) remain obstinately opaque not only to those of us who consume content but also to its creators. All of which makes Aleksik's book both entertaining and somewhat worrying.
'It's happening faster than ever,' he adds, 'because these algorithms are here and because they amplify memes and trends, because they create in-groups that feel like they're speaking to their audience. And I'm hoping people look at this book and more critically think about the language that they're using and more critically think about
Adam Aleksik will read at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at
And now for some recommendations….
In '
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'
If you follow every twist and turn of Southern true crime stories — looking at you, Murdaugh family murder fans! — you really should check out '
Kate Tuttle edits the Globe's Books coverage.
Kate Tuttle, a freelance writer and critic, can be reached at