S1E06 | Slang, Algorithms & Community: How the Internet Rewrites Our Words

Internet culture isn’t just making up goofy words, it’s speeding up how language spreads, shifts meaning, and signals identity. Jackie and Toni dig into Adam Aleksic’s (aka The Etymology Nerd) take on “algo-speak,” why our feeds fracture what we see (and say), and how to stay curious when a word means one thing to you and something totally different to your kids. From “brain rot” to meme-as-art and classroom “hookups” gone hilariously wrong, this episode is a love letter to language as a tool for connection - not division.In this episode:How algorithms accelerate slang and splinter our shared vocabulary“Algo-speak” to dodge moderation—and what that means for free expressionLanguage as identity: inclusion, ownership, and when not to use a wordBrain rot vs. pop art: rethinking memes as creative culturePractical tips: media literacy with kids, asking “What does that mean?” without shame, and curating diverse feeds