12 Comments
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Deanna Wong's avatar

I’ve been off of tiktok for a few months and am so glad to be able to access your content via Substack in less flashy, algorithmically churn-y context. Excited to read Algospeak soon!

Meow Factor by Edith's avatar

You now make me want to study influencer accents and how they influence the audience

Nate Randa's avatar

You touch on it at the end of the piece, but I'm really fascinated about how this subjugation goes two ways: the creator is almost a lawyer in front of a jury, pleading "this is why you should give me attention today." However, this case that the creator is pleading is a lot more subtle than the viewer kneeling with the built-in measures like follows and likes—it's expressed, like you said, in the assertive tone of voice, the fast pacing, the metadata, the subway surfers on the bottom half of the screen. It's almost as if the algorithm is the escrow you have to tip in order for this subjugation to happen. Very interesting topic and thanks for the good read

Davide Testa's avatar

Very interesting read, thank you! I pre-ordered Algospeak on July 4th on Amazon, but the expected delivery is between October 20th and January 31st, 2026. :'( Really looking forward to reading it! I hope the delay means lots of people are buying it. I’m not thrilled about the wait, but it’s great to see that kind of interest in your work!

Cosmic Swamp's avatar

I like the niche adjectives and verbs u use

Coral Weber's avatar

Thank you!

Bought your book!

Ernesto Murrieta Leyva's avatar

Reminds me of a Marshall McLuhan quote: "All media work us over completely"

Myshkin's avatar

Peak! Makes me question how else does desires and media interact, or desires in general

Paul Mrstik's avatar

The algorithm is out here hollowing out subjects and what we really need is epistemic agency.

Despoina's avatar

I swear i will ask for algospeak to be added to my university library (English language and literature major here👋)

Patricia Dearing's avatar

July 25 post:

"maybe you’re curled up in your bed under the thick embrace of your warm blankets"

It's July!! Maybe you're dumping buckets of ice on your head. Or is that not docile enough?

Allison's avatar

I saw you via livestream at wordhack, you did awesome and it was jarring to hear you speak with regular inflection instead of influencer inflection haha