The left and the right speak different languages—literally

PLUS: The best WIRED stories from this month a year ago.

View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 10.09.21 Liberals and conservatives often seem to speak different languages. A 2020 study says that is now literally true. To gauge just how polarized discourse in American politics has become, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University collected more than 86.6 million comments on 200,000 YouTube videos, then analyzed them using an artificial intelligence technique normally employed to translate between two languages. They found that people on opposing sides of the political divide frequently use different words (mask/muzzle, for example) to express similar ideas. Read what the findings reveal about the state of the US, plus more of the best WIRED stories from this month a year ago, below.   The Left and the Right Speak Different Languages—Literally A study analyzing patterns in online comments found that liberals and conservatives use different words to express similar ideas. The Best Stories From This Month, Last Year How an Algorithm Blocked Kidney Transplants to Black Patients A formula for assessing the gravity of kidney disease is one of many that is adjusted for race. The practice can exacerbate health disparities. A Literal Child and His Mom Sue Nintendo Over 'Joy-Con Drift' The class action lawsuit alleges that the video game company hasn't done enough to address a known problem with its controllers. It's Time to Talk About Covid-19 and Surfaces Again In the early days, we furiously scrubbed, afraid we could get sick from the virus lingering on objects and surfaces. What do we know now? The Hair-Raising, Record-Setting Race to 331 MPH Hang on to your stomach: In two thunderous dashes, supercar maker SSC set multiple production-car speed records. The Media Just Passed a Test It Failed Four Years Ago In an interview with WIRED, Columbia Journalism School dean Steve Coll says the media has learned some important lessons since 2016 about covering stolen email leaks. It's OK to Play One Game Forever If you ignore new releases or your massive backlog to return to that one comfort game after a long day, don't feel bad about it. You're not alone. GET WIRED A helicopter on Mars. What to expect post-Covid. The next electrifying/terrifying leap in A.I. explained. Get 1 year of unlimited access to WIRED for less than $1 per month. That includes Steven Levy's exclusive newsletter and a free tote! Subscribe now.           This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.