Algorithms Ruined the Way We Talk
Graping, un-aliving, PDF files, a pew-pewing, sewer slide.
These alterations of the words we use to appease online algorithms of various platforms kill the severity of the horrors we see in our life. People aren't raped, they're "graped" by a "grapist". People aren't murdered, they are "un-alived". He didn't commit suicide, he "committed sewer slide", on and on.
It takes away the harshness, downplays it like a joke. It's one thing when you're talking to children to maybe soften the language for an age-appropriate level, but this happens between adults.
We aren't calling a spade a spade, we're calling it a "diggy diggy". Its nonsense. It makes cheapens the experience of victims.
I wish this was only online in these social media circles, but it began to bleed into our daily lives.
There are ways to speak without making the wording absurd. Suicide becomes "taking their own life", pedophile can be changed to "sexual predator". We don't have to talk in algo-speak and numb what we mean to the point they are rendered trivial.
Its infuriating, even when listening to horror stories, the algo-speak kills the immersion, and I'm slingshot back into reality. It needs to stop.
Stop all of the inane euphemisms, and say what you mean. When we tiptoe around what we are saying we never see the issues for what they are.
Rape, murder, all of it we should despise it, but how can we when the words are dampened?
Its why I appreciate when authors/directors aren't afraid to drop the N-word in a period-accurate piece of art. It takes away the vile nature of racism. Could you imagine how less of an impact a movie like BlacKkKlansman would have if they used some softened speech completely tiptoeing around the venom behind the N-word? It diminishes the impact words can have.
If it makes you uncomfortable then good. That means its having the impact its supposed to. You're supposed to be disturbed when you read/hear these words.
So, in essence, stop being afraid of the almighty algorithm. Say what you mean. Say it with your chest. We owe each other that.
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