hackertube.io

Stephen Fry Kinetic Typography - Language

Built By Matt · commentary · Watch on YouTube

Language & linguisticsGraphic design & typography

What it is

A kinetic typography animation set to Stephen Fry's spoken essay on language. Fry argues against grammar pedantry and for the way language evolves, including the verbing of nouns.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN uses it as the go-to short piece against pedantry and for language change, recommended whenever grammar disputes come up.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 6 different months
  • 3 strong recommendations
  • first 2012, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “This reminds me of a wonderful essay/speech by Stephen Fry on the harm done by pedantry.”

    Essay on the harm done by pedantry

    inlined, 2019-08 · Strong recommendation · in “Flawed Algorithms Are Grading Millions of Students’ Essays”

  2. “It is my favorite take on changes in English and addresses verbing of nouns directly.”

    Changes in English including verbing of nouns

    sethammons, 2021-03 · Strong recommendation · in “Write libraries instead of services, where possible”

  3. “one of my favorite Stephen Fry videos [0] talks exactly about this!”

    Fry on singular they and pedantry

    skeuomorf, 2015-08 · Recommendation · in “How to Fold a Julia Fractal”

  4. “Stephen Fry had a beauitful essay about how to use language”

    Fry on being innovative with language

    Arkhaine_kupo, 2022-08 · Recommendation · in “The Age of Distracti-Pression”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: stephen fry, grammar, linguistics, kinetic typography, descriptivism

Also recommended by the same people