Rhetoric Society Quarterly May 2024

Pathological Liars: Algorithmic Knowing in the Rhetorical Ecosystem of Wallstreetbets

Misti H. Yang ; Zoltan P. Majdik

Abstract

This essay demonstrates the value of using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to address specific kinds of research questions in rhetoric. The essay builds on a study of a novel rhetorical object first observed by Yang on the Reddit subreddit r/wallstreetbets. We demonstrate how the rhetorical structure of "pathologics" (1) generated a kind of rhetorical authority that can be measured by higher-than-average user engagement on Reddit and (2) circulated from Reddit into more traditional legacy media. Through our research on the rhetorical circulation of pathologics, we argue that researching rhetoric with AI can center new ways of knowing about concepts relevant in rhetoric, like circulation and rhetorical ecosystems. Further, we argue that researching rhetoric with AI always also entails considering a "rhetoric of AI," requiring critical attention to the platforms, infrastructures, and data sources connected to AI systems.

Journal
Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Published
2024-05-26
DOI
10.1080/02773945.2024.2343616
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
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Cited by in this index (3)

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    Hype Circulation: Shaping Public Engagement with Emerging Technologies Through …
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  2. Rieder et al. (2026)
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    Computers and Composition
  3. Omizo (2025)
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    College Composition and Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 2 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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