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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I had to put this down ~20%, but do intend to come back some day!
This is an enjoyable nonfiction read about the evolution of internet language. I found it to be interesting, but the tone ranged from casual bloggy-style to academic in some places, which I found to make for a stilted read. Narrated by the author, I think my favorite part is her excerpt read from the LOLcat translation of the Bible. That alone was pretty entertaining/worth listening to.
Plenty interesting and helped me understand emoji, as well as my own place in the generations of people learning to use the internet.
I’m familiar with McCulloch from various linguistics podcasts (especially Lingthusiasm), and I’m thrilled at how her engaging, enthusiastic conversational style comes through in her writing! She makes linguistic theories and concepts seem accessible and exciting, and really revolutionizes the way we think about how we text, email, post, and more.
This book was SO fascinating. I picked it up as a language and grammar nerd, but I think lovers of history and internet culture would love it just as much as I did.
This is the perfect geek out book for readers interested in language development in both real life and the online world. McCulloch is a linguist and i learned i am an "#oldinternet person!" Through her discussion about internet history, i traveled through my own online life, beginning as a usenet participant and all things #oldinternet. I loved this book as a wanna be linguist and also as a learner as she explains the evolution of emoji, memes and all things internet!
funny
informative
medium-paced
As a longtime fan of Gretchen McCulloch's podcast Lingthusiasm, I KNEW I had to try out her book Because Internet. My expectations were high—I’ve never known a world without the internet, and I was eager to learn about the cultural and linguistic norms that existed before the iPhone, before the Blackberry... before the Nokia! What Because Internet delivered far surpassed those expectations.
This book is a fascinating exploration of how the internet has revolutionized communication, and McCulloch is the perfect guide. Her expertise shines through her witty, engaging writing—it feels like having a passionate conversation with a linguist who loves their work.
The book dives deep into the evolution of online language in an insightful and approachable way. From understanding emoji as "internet gestures" to categorizing generations of internet users (and their quirks), McCulloch balances rigorous analysis with delightful anecdotes. Even for readers new to linguistics, her ability to break down complex concepts into bite-sized insights makes this book a joy to read.
As a linguistics enthusiast, I especially appreciated her discussions on how online communication reflects the diversity and creativity of human expression. Because Internet gave me a deeper appreciation for memes, acronyms, and viral trends, and it made me reflect on my own contributions to the ever-evolving tapestry of internet culture. This book having been published a few years back allowed me to add my own insights to how language has even changed since its publication... I believe she would have had a field day with "skibidi toilet rizz".
If you're curious about the intersection of technology and language—or if you’ve ever wondered why lol doesn’t always mean "laughing out loud"—this book is a must-read. Equal parts educational and entertaining, it will leave you marveling at how we connect with each other in the digital age.
This book is a fascinating exploration of how the internet has revolutionized communication, and McCulloch is the perfect guide. Her expertise shines through her witty, engaging writing—it feels like having a passionate conversation with a linguist who loves their work.
The book dives deep into the evolution of online language in an insightful and approachable way. From understanding emoji as "internet gestures" to categorizing generations of internet users (and their quirks), McCulloch balances rigorous analysis with delightful anecdotes. Even for readers new to linguistics, her ability to break down complex concepts into bite-sized insights makes this book a joy to read.
As a linguistics enthusiast, I especially appreciated her discussions on how online communication reflects the diversity and creativity of human expression. Because Internet gave me a deeper appreciation for memes, acronyms, and viral trends, and it made me reflect on my own contributions to the ever-evolving tapestry of internet culture. This book having been published a few years back allowed me to add my own insights to how language has even changed since its publication... I believe she would have had a field day with "skibidi toilet rizz".
If you're curious about the intersection of technology and language—or if you’ve ever wondered why lol doesn’t always mean "laughing out loud"—this book is a must-read. Equal parts educational and entertaining, it will leave you marveling at how we connect with each other in the digital age.
informative
lighthearted
Listening to the podcast for years, can’t believe it took me so long to read the book, but it was everything I wanted in a book about internet linguistics! Truely fascinating look at language
this was a very quick and easy read on some of the major topics around language change on the internet. i have a pretty extensive academic background on linguistics so i was a little bored at some of the basic explanations, but for the average person i think it would be very accessible. i was wanting it to go deeper and more specific, like the chapter on emojis as gesture (which was my favorite) but there is a thorough notes/citations section at the end so maybe i will look up some further reading from some of them.
It's a good book, but frankly one that's better suited for skimming. There's a pretty deep dive into the history and taxonomy of various types of internet communication, but the actual interesting pull quotes are few and far between. Read it, if you like, but don't feel compelled to read it *closely.*