Adam Aleksic's Roman Empire is language, particularly how algorithms are changing the way we all use words. This week, Endless Thread gets algospeak-pilled and learns how "unalive" spread from a kids' Spider-Man cartoon to TikTok mental health communities trying to avoid censorship; what we're really saying when we say we're "goblin-core," and whether this all means we're "cooked."

Show notes:

<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/">Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language </a>

This episode was produced by Grace Tatter, edited by Meg Cramer, and co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

<description>&lt;p&gt;Adam Aleksic's Roman Empire is language, particularly how algorithms are changing the way we all use words. This week, Endless Thread gets algospeak-pilled and learns how "unalive" spread from a kids' Spider-Man cartoon to TikTok mental health communities trying to avoid censorship; what we're really saying when we say we're "goblin-core," and whether this all means we're "cooked."&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Show notes:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/"&gt;Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This episode was produced by Grace Tatter, edited by Meg Cramer, and co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;***
&lt;strong&gt;Survey alert&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take the survey here: &lt;a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647"&gt;wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Thank you!&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Adam Aleksic's Roman Empire is how algorithms are changing the way we all use words. This week Endless Thread gets algospeak-pilled and learns how "unalive" evolved from a kids' Spider-Man cartoon to TikTok mental health communities trying to avoid censorship; what we're really saying when we identify with a "goblin-core" aesthetic, and whether this all means we're "cooked."

Adam Aleksic's Roman Empire is language, particularly how algorithms are changing the way we all use words. This week, Endless Thread gets algospeak-pilled and learns how "unalive" spread from a kids' Spider-Man cartoon to TikTok mental health communities trying to avoid censorship; what we're really saying when we say we're "goblin-core," and whether this all means we're "cooked."

Show notes:

<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/">Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language </a>

This episode was produced by Grace Tatter, edited by Meg Cramer, and co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

How algorithms are changing the way we talk: The rise of 'algospeak'

10 years ago, Justin found himself on the side of the road with a blown out tire. Hours went by and no one stopped to help. But just as he was about to give up, something happened that changed Justin forever.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 13, 2020.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

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<description>&lt;p&gt;10 years ago, Justin found himself on the side of the road with a blown out tire. Hours went by and no one stopped to help. But just as he was about to give up, something happened that changed Justin forever.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This episode was originally published on Nov. 13, 2020.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;***
&lt;strong&gt;Survey alert&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take the survey here: &lt;a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647"&gt;wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Thank you!&lt;/p&gt;</description>

10 years ago, Justin found himself on the side of the road with a blown out tire. Hours went by and no one stopped to help. But just as he was about to give up, something happened that changed Justin forever.

10 years ago, Justin found himself on the side of the road with a blown out tire. Hours went by and no one stopped to help. But just as he was about to give up, something happened that changed Justin forever.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 13, 2020.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

Rewind: Today You, Tomorrow Me: Why A Decade-Old Reddit Comment Still Resonates Today

Who gets credit for starting a meme? Usually... nobody — they're made too quickly and organically. In the case of one of the most famous bait-and-switch memes of all time, the "Rick Roll," we may be looking at something experts call convergent evolution. Did the Rick Roll originate with a piece of code on the message board 4Chan, or with a prank call to a local sports show in Michigan? And why does the Rick Roll have such staying power? Is it codified in the DNA of the song itself?

We explore the meme’s origin, the history of the song, "Never Gonna Give You Up," and its impact on both internet users during COVID-19 and on the performer himself.

This episode was originally published on Oct. 08, 2021.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

<description>&lt;p&gt;Who gets credit for starting a meme? Usually... nobody — they're made too quickly and organically. In the case of one of the most famous bait-and-switch memes of all time, the "Rick Roll," we may be looking at something experts call convergent evolution. Did the Rick Roll originate with a piece of code on the message board 4Chan, or with a prank call to a local sports show in Michigan? And why does the Rick Roll have such staying power? Is it codified in the DNA of the song itself?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We explore the meme’s origin, the history of the song, "Never Gonna Give You Up," and its impact on both internet users during COVID-19 and on the performer himself.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This episode was originally published on Oct. 08, 2021.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;***
&lt;strong&gt;Survey alert&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take the survey here: &lt;a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647"&gt;wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Thank you!&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Usually, nobody gets credit for starting a meme. But in the case of one of the most famous bait-and-switch memes of all time, the Rick Roll, we may be looking at something experts call convergent evolution. We explore the meme’s origin, the history of the song, and its impact on both internet users and the performer himself during COVID-19. 

Who gets credit for starting a meme? Usually... nobody — they're made too quickly and organically. In the case of one of the most famous bait-and-switch memes of all time, the "Rick Roll," we may be looking at something experts call convergent evolution. Did the Rick Roll originate with a piece of code on the message board 4Chan, or with a prank call to a local sports show in Michigan? And why does the Rick Roll have such staying power? Is it codified in the DNA of the song itself?

We explore the meme’s origin, the history of the song, "Never Gonna Give You Up," and its impact on both internet users during COVID-19 and on the performer himself.

This episode was originally published on Oct. 08, 2021.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

Encore: Never Gonna Give You Up

2025 marks 20 years of Google Maps — a tool that many of us would be, quite literally, lost without.

We hear from New Orleanians who used Google Maps/Google Earth in its inaugural year to survey the damage to their homes following Hurricane Katrina.

We also talk to the internet's Map Men, who ask whether "the best maps humanity has ever produced are simultaneously the worst maps for humanity?" in their new book, "<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/this-way-up-map-men?variant=44603661746210">This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters).</a>"

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

<description>&lt;p&gt;2025 marks 20 years of Google Maps — a tool that many of us would be, quite literally, lost without.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We hear from New Orleanians who used Google Maps/Google Earth in its inaugural year to survey the damage to their homes following Hurricane Katrina.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We also talk to the internet's Map Men, who ask whether "the best maps humanity has ever produced are simultaneously the worst maps for humanity?" in their new book, "&lt;a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/this-way-up-map-men?variant=44603661746210"&gt;This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters).&lt;/a&gt;"&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;***
&lt;strong&gt;Survey alert&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take the survey here: &lt;a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647"&gt;wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Thank you!&lt;/p&gt;</description>

2025 marks 20 years of Google Maps — a tool that many of us would be lost without. We hear from New Orleanians who used Google Maps in its inaugural year to survey the damage following Hurricane Katrina, and from the Map Men, who wonder whether "the best maps humanity has ever produced are simultaneously the worst maps for humanity?"

2025 marks 20 years of Google Maps — a tool that many of us would be, quite literally, lost without.

We hear from New Orleanians who used Google Maps/Google Earth in its inaugural year to survey the damage to their homes following Hurricane Katrina.

We also talk to the internet's Map Men, who ask whether "the best maps humanity has ever produced are simultaneously the worst maps for humanity?" in their new book, "<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/this-way-up-map-men?variant=44603661746210">This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters).</a>"

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

Lost without you: 20 years of finding (losing?) our way with Google Maps

There's a lot of drone warfare footage on the internet from Ukraine and Russia. But over the last year, a surprising change has emerged, via photos from the battlefront posted online. It has become clear that a huge part of the drone war, from dropping grenades on soldiers in bunkers, to dropping explosives on infrastructure or airfields, is wired. Those wires are fiber optic cable, stretching from drone operators to the drones, which spool out cable across the ground and over trees along the battlefront. These drones are often single-use rarely returning from the mission they set out on. And the spools of fiber optic cable, stretching over 30-50 kilometers, don't get cleaned up. We explore this evolution of drone use in the conflict - where it came from, and why.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

<description>&lt;p&gt;There's a lot of drone warfare footage on the internet from Ukraine and Russia. But over the last year, a surprising change has emerged, via photos from the battlefront posted online. It has become clear that a huge part of the drone war, from dropping grenades on soldiers in bunkers, to dropping explosives on infrastructure or airfields, is wired. Those wires are fiber optic cable, stretching from drone operators to the drones, which spool out cable across the ground and over trees along the battlefront. These drones are often single-use rarely returning from the mission they set out on. And the spools of fiber optic cable, stretching over 30-50 kilometers, don't get cleaned up. We explore this evolution of drone use in the conflict - where it came from, and why.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;***
&lt;strong&gt;Survey alert&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take the survey here: &lt;a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647"&gt;wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Thank you!&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Drone warfare is common in Ukraine, but a new evolution in the conflict is leaving a strange web of fiber optic cables strewn across the battlefront. 

There's a lot of drone warfare footage on the internet from Ukraine and Russia. But over the last year, a surprising change has emerged, via photos from the battlefront posted online. It has become clear that a huge part of the drone war, from dropping grenades on soldiers in bunkers, to dropping explosives on infrastructure or airfields, is wired. Those wires are fiber optic cable, stretching from drone operators to the drones, which spool out cable across the ground and over trees along the battlefront. These drones are often single-use rarely returning from the mission they set out on. And the spools of fiber optic cable, stretching over 30-50 kilometers, don't get cleaned up. We explore this evolution of drone use in the conflict - where it came from, and why.

***
Survey alert: Tell us what you love about the show, what you want more of; what you could stand a little less of. And if you complete the survey, we'll send you an extra episode (what Ben's calling a "dashboard confessional") in January.

Take the survey here: <a class="c-link c-link--underline" href="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-52647">wbur.org/endlessthreadsurvey</a>

Thank you!

The drone web: how consumer drones have covered Ukraine's battle lines with fiber optic cable

Hosts Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson dig into the internet's vast and curious ecosystem of online communities to find untold histories, unsolved mysteries, and other jaw-dropping stories online and IRL. 

Endless Thread

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