What The Sigma Is Algospeak? - Science Friday Recap

Podcast: Science Friday

Published: 2025-12-29

Duration: 19 minutes

Guests: Adam Aleksic

Summary

Adam Aleksic discusses how social media algorithms are reshaping language, focusing on Gen Z slang and the concept of 'algospeak'. He explores the impact of these changes on communication and cultural identity.

What Happened

Adam Aleksic, a linguist and TikToker known as the 'Etymology Nerd', delves into the concept of 'algospeak', a linguistic evolution driven by social media algorithms. He explains how words like 'unalive' have emerged as creators find ways to evade algorithmic censorship on platforms like TikTok. This has spurred a new form of language development that spills into offline communication, as seen with students using 'unalive' in school essays about Hamlet.

Aleksic discusses how words like 'Riz' and 'Skibbity' gain traction by tapping into algorithmic trends, resulting in a rapid spread of these terms. He highlights the role of social media in amplifying natural human behaviors like meme creation, but notes that the algorithmic influence accelerates these processes, creating new online communities focused on specific terms.

The speed of speech on social media is another factor Aleksic addresses, explaining how fast-paced delivery is optimized for capturing attention and fitting into the platform's format. This has led to the development of 'influencer accents' where the style of speech varies based on the type of content, such as lifestyle or educational videos.

Aleksic compares the influence of algorithms on language to historical inflection points like the printing press, which standardized writing but also introduced new gatekeepers. He argues that algorithms now serve as a new inflection point, shaping language evolution by determining which words gain popularity and how they are used.

He also points out that language has always evolved to capture attention, but now it is compounded by algorithms that reward content designed to engage users rapidly. This has led to a situation where educational content must be entertaining to thrive online, merging education with entertainment.

The episode delves into the concept of 'doom slang', a form of language reflecting cultural attitudes towards topics like consumerism and existentialism, driven by the pervasive influence of algorithms. Aleksic notes that absurdist slang like 'skibbity riz' is a response to this cultural climate, much like Dadaism emerged during World War I.

Aleksic concludes by emphasizing the significance of middle schoolers in driving language changes, as they are highly impressionable and flexible with language. He notes that emojis are evolving similarly to words, undergoing semantic changes that reflect current trends and cultural shifts.

Finally, the episode explores listener-submitted words that could become viral, highlighting the creativity and humor embedded in contemporary language evolution. Aleksic affirms that pop culture, often viewed humorously, becomes a serious subject of study as it transitions into history, reflecting broader societal changes.

Key Insights