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A review by rharriskay
Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language by Gretchen McCulloch
3.75
Because Internet is a really interesting, reflective look at the way that Internet usage has changed and our language has changed with it. Some of the best parts of the book were the fun facts about the origins of words I truly take for granted, and I couldn't help but think of my own Internet use growing up and today and how that matches to the categories of people proposed by the author.
Of course, this book isn't a dictionary and there are elements missing. The section about memes, for instance, interestingly didn't talk about rage comics, which seems like a natural segue to the modern use of emojis, but this book is not a definitive collection and does not claim to.
I think the biggest thing holding me back from rating it higher is that the author had two stated purposes for this book: allowing people who know Internet-speak to reflect and those who don't to start to understand. While I think the first goal was successful, I can't help but feel that if someone had an open mind about the Internet and its effect on language, they'd still be a bit confused. The humor used throughout this book relies heavily on Internet lingo and jokes, which seems at odds with its goal of explaining this things. I am, of course, an Internet user and have been since childhood, so perhaps I'm not giving people enough of the benefit of the doubt, but I couldn't help feeling that way when I finished.
Nonetheless, Because Internet is a really interesting book if you want to be more reflective about your own language use in the digital age.
Of course, this book isn't a dictionary and there are elements missing. The section about memes, for instance, interestingly didn't talk about rage comics, which seems like a natural segue to the modern use of emojis, but this book is not a definitive collection and does not claim to.
I think the biggest thing holding me back from rating it higher is that the author had two stated purposes for this book: allowing people who know Internet-speak to reflect and those who don't to start to understand. While I think the first goal was successful, I can't help but feel that if someone had an open mind about the Internet and its effect on language, they'd still be a bit confused. The humor used throughout this book relies heavily on Internet lingo and jokes, which seems at odds with its goal of explaining this things. I am, of course, an Internet user and have been since childhood, so perhaps I'm not giving people enough of the benefit of the doubt, but I couldn't help feeling that way when I finished.
Nonetheless, Because Internet is a really interesting book if you want to be more reflective about your own language use in the digital age.