Are We Cooked? How Social Media Shapes Language | Adam Aleksic | TED

Summary

This video explores how social media algorithms, especially on platforms like TikTok, are shaping the evolution of language. It focuses on how new slang terms like 'unalive,' 'rizz,' and 'gyat' spread rapidly through viral memes and trends, often originating from marginalized communities. The speaker highlights how algorithms drive the commercialization of niche identities, like 'cottagecore,' and how they accelerate cultural appropriation. While acknowledging potential concerns, the speaker suggests that language is constantly evolving, and these changes reflect the diverse, dynamic cultural moment we're living in.

Takeaways

• 😀 The word 'unalive' has emerged as a euphemism for 'kill,' especially among middle schoolers who use it to avoid discussing death directly.
• 😀 The rise of 'unalive' is linked to social media algorithms, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where content is censored to avoid violating community guidelines.
• 😀 Social media is reshaping language by pushing trending words and memes that spread rapidly due to algorithms promoting repetitive content.
• 😀 Words like 'rizz,' 'gyat,' and 'skibidi' became viral in part because of the algorithm, which rewards repetition and engagement with trending content.
• 😀 Language change has always been driven by social networks, but social media now accelerates this process, causing words to spread at an unprecedented rate.
• 😀 The suffix '-core' (e.g., 'cottagecore,' 'goblincore') gained popularity because of TikTok's algorithm, which promotes niche identities and aesthetics.
• 😀 Social media algorithms push creators to use trending hashtags and audios to maximize engagement, leading to the widespread adoption of certain slang words.
• 😀 The commercialization of language through social media leads to the mass production of specific identities (like 'cottagecore'), which businesses then exploit for profit.
• 😀 While social media-driven slang can be creative, it also risks appropriating marginalized cultures, such as queer and Black communities, diluting the original meaning and context of words.
• 😀 Although there are some concerns about language evolving in harmful ways, the speaker believes that newer slang, like 'unalive,' 'rizz,' and 'gyat,' reflects the current cultural moment and will not harm younger generations' ability to communicate.

Q & A

What is the word 'unalive' used for, and why is it popular among middle schoolers?

'Unalive' is used as a euphemism for 'kill' to avoid the taboo or discomfort around discussing death. It's popular among middle schoolers, especially on platforms like TikTok, because it sounds less scary than 'kill' and provides a way to talk about sensitive topics like death in a more comfortable manner.

How did the word 'unalive' come into existence, and what role does TikTok play in it?

The word 'unalive' originated as a workaround for TikTok's algorithm, which removes or suppresses posts that might violate community guidelines, particularly regarding sensitive topics like death. Creators and users adopted 'unalive' as a euphemistic way to bypass censorship while discussing these topics.

How do social media algorithms influence language and slang usage?

Social media algorithms play a significant role in language evolution by promoting viral content, including memes, songs, and phrases. Words like 'rizz' and 'gyat' gain popularity because the algorithm pushes content that engages users, leading to rapid spread and mainstream adoption of certain terms.

What is the 'Rizzler' song, and how did it impact the spread of slang?

The 'Rizzler' song became viral due to its catchy nature and use of current middle-school slang like 'rizz,' 'gyat,' and 'skibidi.' The song's popularity was fueled by TikTok's algorithm, which promoted the song to a wider audience, spreading the associated slang words quickly across the platform.

What is the significance of the suffix '-core' in Gen Z slang, and how does it relate to social media algorithms?

The suffix '-core' is used to describe specific aesthetics, like 'cottagecore' or 'goblincore.' These terms gained traction because TikTok's algorithm encourages creators to produce content that aligns with popular trends, which leads to the viral spread of these terms. Ultimately, this system allows the algorithm to target hyper-compartmentalized audiences for commercial purposes.

Why is the commercialization of identity-building labels concerning in the context of language?

The commercialization of identity-building labels, like 'cottagecore,' is concerning because it manipulates people's sense of identity to sell products. Social media algorithms create niche communities and encourage users to identify with specific labels, which then drives commercial content targeted at those identities.

How do marginalized communities influence language on social media?

Marginalized communities, such as Black and queer groups, have historically used language as a form of creative expression and reclamation of power. Many popular internet slang terms, like 'slay,' 'bussin,' and 'gyat,' originated in these communities. However, as these words spread on social media, they are often appropriated by mainstream audiences, losing their original meaning and significance.

How does social media contribute to the spread of extremist rhetoric through language?

Social media algorithms can inadvertently amplify harmful rhetoric, such as incel ideologies, by allowing niche groups to create and share content. Words like 'black-pilled' or 'sigma' are spread through memes and viral content, often without users understanding their harmful origins or implications.

What is the potential harm of using terms like 'unalive' and 'rizz' without understanding their origins?

Using terms like 'unalive' or 'rizz' without understanding their origins can perpetuate the spread of language that might be rooted in problematic or harmful ideologies. For example, 'unalive' was created to bypass TikTok's censorship, while 'rizz' and 'gyat' may have origins in marginalized cultures that get diluted or trivialized when taken out of context.

What does the speaker believe about the future of language and the impact of social media on it?

The speaker believes that language is evolving as a result of social media, but that this evolution is not inherently negative. While some trends may be concerning, like the spread of extremist rhetoric, new slang terms reflect the diverse cultural moment we're in. However, it's important to be aware of how language is shaped by algorithms and the commercial interests behind them.