(Adam Aleksic, Ebury, £22)
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The 'algo' of the title, of course, refers to the 'algorithms' that govern social media platforms and power efforts at regulating (or indeed censoring) the internet. They work by latching on to certain words and phrases, prompting internet users to respond by deliberately using alternative words or misspellings. The algorithms are eventually adjusted to compensate, resulting in what Aleksic likens to a game of virtual 'whack-a- mole'. From a linguistic point of view, at least, it's a fascinating process that neatly demonstrates how language evolves and adjusts according to changes in culture. This is a book that can offer a useful guide to how internet trends develop, provide a few handy hints on how to make content go viral, and perhaps even help you better understand the way your students talk...
This review was first published in Teach Secondary magazine.
