Opinion | When the Internet Cooks, It Serves Slop

A.I. Misuse: John McWhorter uses the term “slop” to describe the degradation of artificial intelligence into an everyday nuisance rather than a powerful mystery.
Word of the Year: The word “slop” is chosen as the 2025 word of the year by the American Dialect Society, symbolizing the perceived negative aspects of modern artificial intelligence.
Personal Experience: McWhorter shares a personal anecdote where his podcast was regurgitated poorly by A.I., illustrating the concept of A.I. slop.
Negative Outcomes: The article highlights several negative consequences of A.I., including misuse in generating fake news, inappropriate sexualized images, job losses, and other harmful content.
Comparison to a Pest: McWhorter likens A.I. to a nuisance like Stitch from “Lilo & Stitch” or the slime from a hagfish, emphasizing its irritating and destructive aspects.
Demise of Mystery: The article argues that A.I. has lost its mystique and novelty, becoming something that detracts rather than significantly advances our lives.
Concerns of Linguistic Evolution: The article delves into linguistic evolution, drawing parallels between the word “slop” and its ancient origins, to frame the modern perception of A.I.’s impact.
Future Implications: It outlines how A.I. is increasingly seen as a troublesome and dangerous element in society, altering the relationship between technology and daily life.

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