Language and Media Forms

Fake sign language is spreading on TikTok. Deaf people are worried.

Buzzy Silicon Valley startup wants to make the world sound whiter

Canadian invented hand sign of distress saves North Carolina teenager

https://19thnews.org/2021/11/hand-gesture-tiktok-and-saved-a-teenager-heres-why-that-matters/

Teaching Democrats to Speak Evangelical

The pastor Doug Pagitt launched the organization Vote Common Good to make the religious left more visible, and he hopes to help Democrats learn how to court evangelical voters.

Intel wants to let users select the amount of racism in their video chats:

Intel announced last month it would release a new artificial intelligence program named Bleep that censors various kinds of offensive speech from gaming audio, but the software,  which lets gamers select from a sliding scale of hate speech options—is now facing criticism for being “hilarious/horrifying.”

What’s cancel culture really like? Ask a teenager. They know.

Non-marrriage Movement in South Korea

“Instead of belonging to someone, I now have a more ambitious future for myself.”

In Iraq, the best digits cost a mint

The market for ‘distinguished’ cellphone numbers has prices that rival those at gold and gem exchanges.

Using Comedy to Strengthen Nigeria’s Democracy

A news-satire series modelled on “The Daily Show” aims to empower viewers. Will the joke get lost in translation?

Inside Japan’s Puzzle Palace

Puzzle Craze for Sodoku

People Keep Finding Late Loved Ones on Google Maps

Buying Shares in Other People’s Reputations

For Creators, Everything Is for Sale

Digital stars are coming up with new ways to make money. Yet fans still hold the power.

The rise of microchipping: are we ready for technology to get under the skin?

Your Kids Think You’re Addicted to Your Phone

Most parents worry that their kids are addicted to the devices, but about four in 10 teenagers have the same concern about their parents.