Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean'

[Nevilledog]

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Will Oremus
@WillOremus
The word "Orwellian" gets tossed around, but the fact that vast online communities have resorted to speaking in code like "unalive" instead of "dead" to avoid having their speech suppressed by clunky content moderation algorithms is extremely 1984.

washingtonpost.com
Internet ‘algospeak’ is changing our language in real time, from ‘nip nops’ to ‘le dollar bean’
To avoid angering the almighty algorithm, creators on TikTok and other platforms are creating a new vocabulary.
11:09 AM · Apr 8, 2022

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/08/algospeak-tiktok-le-dollar-bean/

No paywall
https://archive.ph/3XepG

“Algospeak” is becoming increasingly common across the Internet as people seek to bypass content moderation filters on social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Twitch.

Algospeak refers to code words or turns of phrase users have adopted in an effort to create a brand-safe lexicon that will avoid getting their posts removed or down-ranked by content moderation systems. For instance, in many online videos, it’s common to say “unalive” rather than “dead,” “SA” instead of “sexual assault,” or “spicy eggplant” instead of “vibrator.”

As the pandemic pushed more people to communicate and express themselves online, algorithmic content moderation systems have had an unprecedented impact on the words we choose, particularly on TikTok, and given rise to a new form of internet-driven Aesopian language.

Unlike other mainstream social platforms, the primary way content is distributed on TikTok is through an algorithmically curated “For You” page; having followers is a secondary metric that doesn’t guarantee people will see your content. This shift has led average users to tailor their content primarily toward the algorithm, rather than a following, which means abiding by content moderation rules is more crucial than ever.

*snip*

[SoonerPride]

1. Doubleplus ungood

This is entirely foreign to me and I found it fascinating.

And yes, Orwellian too.

Thanks for posting!

[Celerity]

4. Endgame (beyond the scope of the OP): maximalist Big Data, fed into quantum computing networks, with

the goal of monetising ALL human activity that is possible to monetise, right down to the movements you make. Hyper complex game design will aid in it all. Think of the level of control the systemic designers and controllers will have.

This video is about the DICE (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit 2010 (February 17-19, 2010), over 12 years ago.

People freaked out on it.

Look how unremarkable it all seems now.

[Amishman]

2. Makes me think of this

[intrepidity]

3. Note to self: think twice before ordering the spicy eggplant

at my local Thai restaurant.... ah more innocence lost.

[SoonerPride]

6. 🍆

Sometimes 🍆 is just 🍆


But sometimes 🍆 means so much more 😈

If you do order 🍆 just don’t blush and give yourself away. 😂

[cbabe]

5. Workaround Amazon (union)worker chat censorship. Great opportunity for poets to craft new language.

A report suggested a new chat app for Amazon employees would ban “insensitive” words and phrases.

The Intercept reported that words like “prison,” “plantation,” and “restrooms” would be automatically flagged by an automatic word monitor. Amazon allegedly wanted the words banned to prevent criticism of the company’s working conditions.

The Intercept’s investigation detailed just how far the program would go:

Following the meeting, an “auto bad word monitor” was devised, constituting a blacklist that would flag and automatically block employees from sending a message that contains any profane or inappropriate keywords. In addition to profanities, however, the terms include many relevant to organized labor, including “union,” “grievance,” “pay raise,” and “compensation.” Other banned keywords include terms like “ethics,” “unfair,” “slave,” “master,” “freedom,” “diversity,” “injustice,” and “fairness.” Even some phrases like “This is concerning’ will be banned.” (More)

Https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/autumn-johnson/2022/04/05/amazon-worker-chat-app-would-ban-insensitive-words