Curiosity Weekly: "We Are Starting to Talk Like ChatGPT"
Host: Dr. Samantha Yammine (“Sam”)
Guest: Adam Aleksic (Internet linguist, author of Algospeak)
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Main Theme
This episode of Curiosity Weekly dives into how technology, social media, and AI—notably language models like ChatGPT—are transforming the way we use and evolve language. Host Dr. Samantha Yammine and guest Adam Aleksic (aka "AdamologyNerd") examine “algospeak”—the language shaped by algorithms, the role of viral trends, globalization, and how even AI itself is influencing the way we talk, both online and offline.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Language Evolution in the Digital Age
[01:35–02:42]
- Language, like culture, is always evolving, but today’s changes happen at breakneck speed thanks to technology.
- Old English and modern English show how much language can shift; now, internet algorithms and trends are accelerating vocab change.
2. New Tools in Biological Research: Metagraph
[02:42–05:58]
- Before diving into language, Sam highlights Metagraph—the “Google of DNA”—which allows researchers to quickly search vast DNA/RNA/protein databases.
- Tools like Metagraph, Logan, and Galaxy reflect a move to more open data in science, and similarly, the digital world is creating vast, rapidly changing linguistic data sets.
3. Meet the Guest – Adam Aleksic and ‘Algospeak’
[08:38–09:25]
- Adam is a Harvard-trained linguist and viral educator with millions following his word-focused content.
- His book, Algospeak, examines how algorithm-driven internet platforms reshape language.
4. How Social Media Algorithms Shape Language
[09:55–16:06]
- The transition from “timeline” to “for you” on platforms reflects deeper changes: algorithms now mediate what we see and how we express ourselves.
- Adam: "The algorithm is this incubator for slang. It creates echo chambers and filter bubbles... and it opens up those communities just enough to allow those words to spread.” [10:20]
- Censorship by platforms leads to alternative words spreading (e.g., “unalive” instead of “kill” to dodge moderation systems).
- Language trends and memes are shaped by the drive for virality, positive feedback loops (“the engagement treadmill”).
5. Globalization, Homogenization, and Preservation of Languages
[11:27–13:43]
- The net effect of the internet: more English usage (51% of content), loss of small dialects, but also tools for language preservation in niche communities.
- Homogenization can lead to loss but also aids new forms of cross-group communication.
6. "Influencer Speak" and Code Switching
[13:43–14:38]
- There's a distinct online/influencer accent: rapid, attention-grabbing, highly edited.
- Code-switching has always existed ("You speak differently to your friends than to your grandmother"), but now the medium incentivizes maximally engaging speech.
7. Algospeak: More Than Just Censorship
[15:30–17:35]
- “Algospeak” is a broad concept: not just about moderation, but about how incentives and platform design cause words and memes to spread.
- Example: NBA players and Gen Alpha repeating “6, 7” to boost virality—a meta-comment on language shaped for algorithms.
8. The Social Role of Slang and Meme Words
[18:45–20:56]
- Language signals identity—slang helps people (especially youth) bond and delineate groups.
- Many internet slangs (e.g., “slay”, “ate”, “queen”) originate in African American English or LGBTQ+ spaces, but tend to lose their power as they’re appropriated.
9. Cultural Appropriation and the Evolving Meaning of Words
[20:56–22:49]
- Terms like “woke” or “cool” have long histories rooted in minority communities, only to be absorbed and repurposed by the majority.
- Adam: “Knowing where words come from gives you... a better understanding of where society is at... Once you have that understanding, you can act more conscientiously.” [21:54]
10. Tracking Slang — The Challenges of Studying Rapidly-Evolving Language
[22:49–24:09]
- Academia can’t catch up with internet pace; Adam gets tagged in new trends and documents changes live.
- Platforms like Know Your Meme and Urban Dictionary are essential real-time language resources.
11. Talking Like ChatGPT: LLMs Influencing Human Language
[24:09–28:20]
- Adam has observed humans picking up LLM phrasing unconsciously (e.g., increased use of “delve” after ChatGPT popularized it).
- Adam: “Now actually in the past two years, we've seen an increase in humans also saying the word delve as we see ChatGPT saying this.” [25:10]
- Mirroring behavior: AI models are built to mirror human inputs, and humans start mirroring AI right back in tone and vocabulary.
- Adam warns: the greatest risk is anthropomorphizing AI—treating it like a person increases trust beyond its capabilities.
12. Creativity, Media Literacy, and the Algorithm’s Power
[27:11–29:28]
- Online spaces, for all the “AI slop” and “brain rot,” are also sources of genuine linguistic and artistic innovation.
- Adam: "Creativity definitionally comes out of constraints... People are making this fantastic stuff.” [27:11]
- Adam advocates for “radical media literacy” to help reclaim agency and adapt responsibly to algorithm-influenced language.
13. Favorite Meme Word: "Wabi Sabi"
[29:28–30:48]
- “Wabi sabi” (Japanese for beauty in imperfection) has become a meme, used both positively and (unfortunately) negatively (e.g., by incel communities).
- Adam: “We just need to be aware of what the meme is, who could be interpreting it in different ways, and that way we reclaim power over it. Because they can pry also the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi out of my cold dead hands.” [30:34]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On influence of new media:
“The algorithm is this incubator for slang. It creates these echo chambers and filter bubbles... It creates incentives to form new words.” — Adam Aleksic [10:20]
-
On code-switching and identity:
“We always code switch for the medium...This is really no different.” — Adam Aleksic [14:02]
-
On the feedback loop of trending language:
“Engagement treadmill: we are in a positive feedback loop... using words that are trending for the sake of using words that are trending. And that makes the word more trending.” — Adam Aleksic [17:35]
-
On cultural origins:
"A lot of Gen Z words... that's from African American English. A lot of that was ballroom slang... And then the words filter out... and then they lose that power." — Adam Aleksic [20:07]
-
On anthropomorphizing AI:
“I think the most dangerous thing we can do is anthropomorphize it, because now we're in this territory where we give it a level of trust... which it is not.” — Adam Aleksic [25:17]
-
On creativity and internet culture:
“Creativity definitionally comes out of constraints... People are making this fantastic stuff." — Adam Aleksic [27:11]
Important Timestamps
- [01:35] – Introduction: Language evolution, old to modern English
- [02:42] – Metagraph: The “Google of DNA” in science
- [08:38] – Interview: Adam on digital language shifts
- [10:20] – How algorithms shape how slang spreads
- [13:43] – Influencer speak, code-switching, and new dialects
- [16:06] – Algospeak: More than content moderation
- [18:53] – Slang as group identity and generational marker
- [20:56] – Cultural appropriation: “Woke”, “cool”, etc.
- [24:09] – LLMs/ChatGPT influencing human language (“delve” example)
- [27:11] – Creativity through internet constraints; call for media literacy
- [29:28] – Adam’s favorite meme word: “wabi sabi”
Segment Summaries
Metagraph & Science
Discusses how powerful search tools are transforming biological research, drawing a parallel to how technology influences language change and data accessibility. (See [02:42–05:58])
Deep Dive: Language & Algospeak
Adam Aleksic explains the feedback loop of online language, the role of memes, evolving slang for algorithmic reward, code-switching, and the social significance of in-group words. (Main segment: [08:38–30:48])
ChatGPT’s Linguistic Impact
The show explores whether the textual patterns and vocabulary of large language models are subtly feeding back into human speech, with evidence that words like “delve” have seen a spike due to AI usage. (See [24:09–28:20])
Fighting Cancer with ‘Cursed’ Fungi
Sam closes the episode with a science story: researchers turning toxic tomb fungus into a potential leukemia drug, showing science’s power to subvert old myths. (See [33:12–36:09])
Conclusion
This episode of Curiosity Weekly unpacks how algorithms and AI are not only reflecting but rapidly reshaping human language—creating new dialects, incentivizing viral memes, and even inserting AI-crafted word choices into our real-world vernacular. The conversation with Adam Aleksic balances insight, wit, and some caution, ultimately urging listeners to become “radically media literate” about how digital forces—from social apps to ChatGPT—are rewiring the words we use and the culture we share.