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Only bad poems go viral
The Algorithmic Life of Verse: Certain poetic traits act as reliable catalysts for virality, triggering an algorithmic reflex of appreciation and backlash.
Discourse-triggering poems often juxtapose everyday objects or experiences (prescription drugs, smartphones, pop culture references) with weighty emotional, philosophical, or political issues. Relatedly, poetry that delivers sentimental tropes with complete earnestness often draws praise from readers who prefer emotional directness, alongside ridicule from those who value originality or self-aware restraint. Thank you to August Smith, Wallace Barker, Noam Hessler, Tom Will, Anna Krivolapova, Hayden Church, Paul Franz, and Pierre Minar for a discussion that informed some of this essay.
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