Post by The Paley Center for Media

Last night at The Paley Museum, we hosted a thought-provoking live recording of CNN's Terms of Service with Clare Duffy, an evening that brought the conversation about language, technology, and human connection into sharp focus. CNN Tech Reporter and podcast host Clare Duffy was joined by linguist, author, and self-described "Etymology Nerd" Adam Aleksic for a candid, wide-ranging discussion about how the words and phrases born online are quietly reshaping the way we communicate everywhere else. Drawing on his book Algospeak, Aleksic unpacked the hidden meanings embedded in today's tech landscape — from platform policies to the slang that jumps from our screens into everyday speech. The evening left audiences with something rare: practical, actionable insight into communicating more effectively across generational and digital divides. It was a reminder that understanding the language of the internet isn't just a curiosity — it's an essential literacy for our time. Thank you to Clare Duffy and Adam Aleksic for a conversation as timely as it was illuminating.