Sperm whale vocalizations contain discrete, non-continuous sound patterns analogous to human vowels and even diphthongs. This discreteness is a critical building block for complex language, as it allows for clear, combinable units of meaning (like the difference between "bot" and "beat"). This suggests their communication system is more structured than previously understood.

After years of study, Grammarly's leadership concluded that the definition of "better writing" is entirely situational. The most critical first step is not grammar, but clarifying the communication's goal—whether it's to inspire action, change an opinion, or simply inform—before writing a single word.

Modern communication (texting, social media) filters out crucial non-verbal information like tone, pacing, and emotional presence. This has led society to 'hypertrophy' word-based interaction while losing the high-resolution data that prevents misunderstanding and fosters genuine connection.

Dr. Wallace posits that much of human conversation is 'stateless,' meaning our response is a direct reaction to the most recent input, not the entire discussion history. This cognitive shortcut explains why people repeat themselves in chats and why early chatbots without deep memory could still convincingly mimic human interaction.

Contrary to being a 'lesser' language, slang is arguably richer than standard vocabulary. A standard word often has only a specific referential meaning, whereas a slang term simultaneously communicates the speaker's identity (e.g., Gen Z), their attitude (contempt, affection), and their desired self-perception.

Current AI models often provide long-winded, overly nuanced answers, a stark contrast to the confident brevity of human experts. This stylistic difference, not factual accuracy, is now the easiest way to distinguish AI from a human in conversation, suggesting a new dimension to the Turing test focused on communication style.

No language is 'perfect' because its evolution is a trade-off. Speakers tend toward efficiency and simplification (slurring), while hearers require clarity and precision. This constant tug-of-war drives linguistic change, explaining why languages are always in flux.

Housel managed a severe stutter not by curing it, but by developing a two-part mental process: anticipating which words would cause trouble and instantly substituting them with synonyms. This real-time editing allows him to speak fluently, demonstrating a powerful strategy for managing, rather than eliminating, a core challenge.

We use hints and innuendo not to deny what we said, but to avoid a state where both parties know the other knows the true intent. This "common knowledge" can irrevocably change a relationship, whereas indirectness allows a shared fiction (e.g., a platonic friendship) to continue even after a proposition is rejected.