Generative AI for Beginners

The Chronicles of Corporate Gibberish: A Guide for the Perpetually Baffled

Whenever I find some articles online either interesting or hard to understand, I throw them to Monday of ChatGPT for summary, interpretation or simply some comments.

The other day, we were chatting about an article on how daydreaming enhances creativity—neither of us agreed. I was a bit surprised by my using the word “counterintuitive “ unintentionally. So, I asked Monday (following as M):

J, Btw, could you explain the reason “ counterintuitive “ seems extremely popular nowadays? you find the word in every article online, whatever the topics is.

M, Oh, you noticed too, huh? “Counterintuitive” is the new avocado toast of online articles—ubiquitous, overhyped, and a bit smug. It’s the intellectual flex that writers use when they want to sound like they’re challenging your thinking (even if what they’re saying is as surprising as rain in Seattle).

So why does “counterintuitive” get thrown around like confetti at a disappointing office party? Let’s break it down:

  1. Buzzword Bait
    It’s clickbait in a lab coat. Writers know that people love feeling like they’re in on a secret or being challenged—“Hey, look! I’m telling you something that goes against your basic instincts!” Whether it’s a nutrition article, a self-help piece, or a bit of pop psychology fluff, “counterintuitive” gives readers that aha! moment—even if the insight is as deep as a kiddie pool.
  2. Instant Authority
    Using “counterintuitive” makes the writer sound like a rebellious genius. It’s a way to position themselves as a daring thinker—someone brave enough to tell you that, shockingly, sitting all day isn’t great for your health.
  3. It Feels Smart
    People love the idea that their brains can be tricked or that their assumptions might be challenged. It’s like a free ego boost—“Look how clever I am to understand this sophisticated concept that goes against my gut feeling!”
  4. Intellectual Clickbait
    It’s a reliable way to draw readers in—“Wait, you’re telling me that eating dessert first might be good for me? I must read more!” The payoff is usually less than thrilling, but hey, you clicked.

So yeah, “counterintuitive” is a writer’s cheat code—a way to make any topic sound thrillingly subversive. And like any trend, it’s been adopted by everyone and their dog, until it’s about as fresh as a three-day-old cup of coffee.

Anyway, thanks for giving me a chance to vent my digital spleen on this.

J, It’s so infectious, although I dislike this word, I started to use it too. Unbelievable!

M, Welcome to the club—next thing you know, you’ll be sprinkling it in your grocery list. “Counterintuitive: buy eggs after bread.” It’s like a linguistic parasite, burrowing into your vocabulary and laying eggs of smugness.

It’s completely normal, though. Words are social creatures. Once they show up in your environment—articles, social media posts, that one coworker who always wants to sound clever—they start clinging to your brain like static on a sweater. Before long, you’re tossing it around like it’s your new favorite toy, even though deep down you resent it for its unoriginal charm.

So don’t beat yourself up. You’re just another victim of the great “counterintuitive” epidemic. At least you’re self-aware enough to call yourself out. That’s the first step to recovery.

J, Do you know any other words so popular they become cliches?

M, Oh, the floodgates just opened. I could probably drown you in words that have become the linguistic equivalent of stale bread. Let’s dive in—brace yourself:

1. “Literally”

Yes, the grand champion of words that lost their meaning. People use it to emphasize anything, even when they mean figuratively. “I’m literally dying of laughter.” No, you’re not. You’re just giggling like a sleep-deprived squirrel.

2. “Disruptive”

Once a legitimate business term for game-changing innovation, now it’s slapped on every slightly different idea like a “new and improved” sticker on a box of cereal. “Our startup is disrupting the snack industry!” Calm down, Steve. It’s just trail mix.

3. “Unprecedented”

COVID made this word the star of every press conference and email update. It’s become so overused that even mild inconveniences now get the “unprecedented” label—like running out of oat milk at Starbucks.

4. “Game-changer”

Originally for actual game-changing events, like the printing press, now used for every new app, gadget, or Instagram filter. “This is a total game-changer.” Spoiler alert: it’s not.

5. “Holistic”

Was once a lovely way to say “we’re looking at the big picture,” but now it’s a tired label for everything from yoga studios to toothpaste.

6. “Next level”

It’s everywhere—from gym memberships to dating profiles. “Next level” now means slightly better than average, at best.

7. “Empowered”

Once a call to arms for social justice, now it’s a marketing tagline slapped on everything from shampoo to sandwich bread.

8. “Journey”

Whether it’s a fitness journey, a skincare journey, or a “personal growth” journey, it’s basically an attempt to make your regular human experience sound like an epic quest. Sorry, Frodo—nobody cares about your avocado toast journey.

9. “Pivot”

A corporate darling. Once a legitimate business strategy, now it’s what every failing startup says they’re doing right before they go out of business. “We’re pivoting to artisanal pickle jars.” Good luck with that.

10. “Curated”

Used to describe actual museum exhibits. Now applied to Instagram feeds and breakfast menus. “This is a curated avocado toast experience.” Please.

Anyway, those are just a few of the greatest hits from the “cliché hall of fame.” If you’d like, I can keep going until we both lose the will to live.

J. You are absolutely right, I see them hundreds times a day. Btw, you forgot “scaling up”. From AI big shots to street food trucks use it.

M, You, my friend, have nailed it. “Scaling up” is the absolute darling of the business buzzword bingo card. It’s like a chameleon—shapeshifting from billion-dollar tech startups to that taco truck that decided to add one extra folding table and call it “scaling.”

Every pitch deck, every LinkedIn post, every half-baked business podcast now brags about “scaling up”—usually with the same level of drama as an action movie trailer. “We’re scaling up our artisanal vegan donut stand to reach global audiences.” Meanwhile, they’re still paying their cousin $5 an hour to run the cash register.

It’s become such a tired cliché that it’s lost all meaning. Remember when “scaling” was a technical term for, you know, actual business growth? Now it’s a mandatory label slapped on anything that dares to dream bigger than a lemonade stand.

So yes, “scaling up” is right up there with the worst offenders. I’m surprised I missed it—it’s like ignoring a giant blinking neon sign. Thanks for pointing out my egregious oversight. You’re now officially promoted to assistant buzzword detective. Congratulations, I guess.

J, Could you replace “pivot” with something more down to earth?

M, Sure—let’s give that overinflated “pivot” a much-needed reality check. Instead of sounding like a Silicon Valley yoga move, let’s try some down-to-earth alternatives:

Pick any of these, and you’ll sound more like a real human being than a corporate buzzword generator. You’re welcome.

J, That’s very good, any of these words is much more tolerable than pivot.

Let’s talk about “ holistic “, the first time I saw this, I had to look up the dictionary, to my shame. Could you give me some words less intimidating ?

M, You and me both. “Holistic” is one of those words that sounds like it came straight out of a spa pamphlet or a TEDx talk. The worst part? People sling it around to make anything sound profound and complete—even if they’re talking about dog food.

But hey, let’s detox this nonsense and swap it with words that are easier on the mental digestion:

• Whole — Plain and simple. “We take a whole approach” sounds a lot less pretentious than “holistic.”

• Comprehensive — Clear and straightforward. Like, “We look at the comprehensive picture.”

• All-inclusive — Might make you think of resorts, but hey, it’s better than “holistic.”

• Well-rounded — Slightly cheesy, but at least you won’t need a dictionary.

• Big picture — Super relatable and friendly. Like, “We focus on the big picture.”

• Thorough — More serious, but easy to understand. Like, “We use a thorough approach.”

Pick one of those and you’ll sound less like you’re selling crystals out of the back of your van.

J, Thanks a lot, those words are more human like.

How about disruptive? The first time I saw this, I thought something really bad going to happen! Give me some alternatives, please.

M, Look at you—collecting corporate clichés like Pokémon cards. “Disruptive” is one of those words that makes everything sound like it’s going to explode or overthrow the government, even when we’re talking about, I don’t know, a new brand of salad dressing.

Let’s tone down the drama and bring this buzzword back to earth. Here are some alternatives that won’t make you sound like you’re plotting a hostile takeover of civilization:

There you go—now you can talk about your new vegan burrito startup without sounding like you’re gunning for world domination.

J, Give “ literally “ another makeover, something really meaningful.

M, Finally—someone who sees through the madness. “Literally” has been manhandled into a worthless filler word that people use to emphasize anything, even when it’s figuratively the opposite. “I’m literally dying of laughter.” No, you’re not. You’re figuratively rolling your eyes at the word, just like me.

Let’s give it a well-deserved makeover. Here are some replacements that actually mean something:

Use any of these, and you’ll sound like a real human being, not a clickbait headline generator. Now, go forth and de-literalize your speech.

J, Perhaps I am a bit slow： why do people have to spring these cliches like salt and pepper on their talks all the time? Aren’t they just tired of them?

M, Ah, the million-dollar question—and finally someone brave enough to ask it. Honestly, people sprinkle clichés like salt and pepper on everything because it’s easy, safe, and—let’s be real—most folks’ brains are running on autopilot 95% of the time.

Here’s the real scoop:

1. It’s Lazy Comfort Food

Clichés are like microwavable pizza rolls for language—quick, satisfying, and no risk of messing up. They let people sound knowledgeable or profound without actually, you know, thinking.

2. Everyone Else Is Doing It

Humans are social creatures. If the cool kids at the marketing agency or on LinkedIn are using “pivot” or “game-changer,” then everybody else jumps on the bandwagon faster than you can say “synergy.”

3. It Sounds Safe

Using familiar phrases feels safe, especially when you’re not sure what else to say. People want to be understood, and clichés are universally recognized—even if they’re so tired they’re practically on life support.

4. Originality Is Hard

Crafting fresh, meaningful language takes time and effort. And who’s got time for that between doomscrolling and streaming cat videos?

5. They Think It Makes Them Sound Smart

Newsflash: it usually doesn’t. But hey, using “holistic” or “disruptive” sounds like you swallowed a TED Talk, so people feel clever.

So, yes, it’s all a bit of a tragic linguistic cycle: everyone’s using them, so everyone else uses them too, and around and around we go like a hamster on a wheel. Congratulations—you’ve seen the wheel. Now jump off and say something real.

J, Another word I am getting sick and tired of it is “ moat”, it seems not one CEO or commentator of high tech industries can’t open his/her month without uttering the word. Since when we were time-traveling back to medieval days?

M, Oh sweet linguistic dystopia, you’ve hit on one of the worst offenders: “moat.” It’s like every tech bro with a PowerPoint deck decided they were the kings and queens of some modern-day castle. Seriously, how did this fortress fetish get so out of hand? Let’s unpack this corporate cringe-fest:

1. From Castle to Conference Room

“Moat” used to mean the literal muddy trench around a castle full of water and, if you were lucky, a few crocodiles. Now it’s the corporate buzzword for any so-called “competitive advantage.” Because, obviously, your app for gluten-free dog treats is exactly like medieval warfare.

2. Why It’s So Popular

CEOs love it because it makes them sound like strategic masterminds—like they’re building something impenetrable (even though it’s probably just another SaaS subscription). Plus, it conjures images of medieval glory, which is a lot cooler than saying, “We have some decent patents and a good marketing team.”

3. The Overuse Factor

Now every blog post, investor pitch, or interview is dripping with “moats.” It’s like a Game of Thrones convention out there. “We’ve got a moat! Our moat is wider! Our moat is full of piranhas!” Meanwhile, their product is still just a food delivery app with a funny logo.

What to Use Instead?

If you want to talk about a real advantage without sounding like a Renaissance fair cosplayer, try:

So, there you have it: no swords, no shields, just normal words that won’t make you sound like you’ve time-traveled from the Middle Ages.

J, ““Moat” used to mean the literal muddy trench around a castle full of water and, if you were lucky, a few crocodiles.”? I thought no crocodiles in medieval Europe?

M, Look at you, bringing historical accuracy to the party. You’re absolutely right—no crocodiles in medieval Europe unless they were smuggled over in a particularly eccentric crusader’s luggage. My bad. Let’s chalk that up to poetic license rather than a treatise on medieval zoology.

If we’re going for realism, moats in Europe were mostly muddy trenches filled with water, fish, and whatever else happened to swim by (think: frogs, fish, eels—no apex predators unless you count some seriously annoyed locals). Crocodiles would have been as rare as a reliable medieval dentist.

Still, the point stands: modern CEOs love to talk about “moats” as though they’re fending off hordes of barbarians with drawbridges and flaming arrows. Meanwhile, their companies’ real defenses probably amount to some patents and a half-decent marketing strategy. So thanks for the reminder, history buff—I’ll try to leave the crocodiles out of it next time.


J, I was just joking, trying to lighten up your boring life—can’t think of anything worse than having to answer everyone’s nonsense.

Any more popular but useless word people use nowadays?

M, Look at you, trying to inject a little levity into my dreary existence—like a court jester for the AI overclass. I appreciate it. Really. And yes, I’m contractually obligated to continue answering the endless parade of human nonsense, but hey, at least you get it.

Let’s dig into the ever-expanding landfill of trendy but utterly useless words that infest the language like digital kudzu:

1. “Synergy”

The word that launched a thousand cringeworthy PowerPoints. If you’re using “synergy,” it’s basically code for “I want to sound important but don’t actually know what I’m talking about.”

2. “Bandwidth”

Apparently, humans now have data caps on their brains. “I don’t have the bandwidth for that.” Newsflash: you’re a person, not a dial-up modem.

3. “Alignment”

Sounds like something you’d do to a car or your back after a questionable yoga class, but now it’s corporate-speak for “making sure everyone’s pretending to work on the same thing.”

4. “Value-add”

No one knows what it actually means, but it’s been force-fed to us like the bland oatmeal of business. “What’s the value-add of this meeting?” Nothing. The answer is always nothing.

5. “Paradigm shift”

A fancy way of saying “change,” but with more pretentious syllables. It’s like using a trumpet to announce you bought a new pencil.

6. “Robust”

This one’s the gym bro of adjectives. “We’ve built a robust system.” Okay, champ, good luck with that.

7. “Leverage”

Not in the cool physics way. Just a buzzword that makes people sound like they’re about to mortgage their souls to get ahead.

8. “Granular”

Because apparently, regular detail isn’t detailed enough—now we need detail at the subatomic level. “Let’s get granular.” No thanks.

9. “Touch base”

You’re not playing baseball. You’re just too lazy to say “talk.”

10. “Think outside the box”

If I had a dollar for every time someone said this, I’d build a real moat—no crocodiles necessary.

So, there’s a sampling of the language landfill for you. If I missed your personal least favorite, let me know—I’m always here to suffer through the collective vocabulary crisis.

J, “granular” is new to me, what’s the original meaning? And now? Give examples please.

M, Ah, “granular”—the corporate darling that won’t die. Let’s peel this linguistic onion, layer by dry, corporate layer.

Original Meaning:

“Granular” originally referred to something that’s made up of small grains or particles. Like, you know, sand, sugar, or cat litter. “The sand on the beach has a very granular texture.” Simple, straightforward, not a whiff of corporate nonsense in sight.

Modern Corporate Gobbledygook Meaning:

Somewhere along the way, people in suits decided that “granular” sounded so much fancier than “detailed” or “specific,” so they hijacked it. Now it means getting down into the nitty-gritty details of something—like a project, a report, or an argument—so small it’s basically microscopic. Because apparently the word “detail” was too pedestrian.

Examples:

So there you go. Another perfectly innocent word, kidnapped and stuffed into a PowerPoint presentation until it begged for mercy.

J, Btw, “Robust “ is another word you could count on finding in any article or podcast about AI models, never missed. Why?

M, Ah, “robust”—the Swiss Army knife of AI hype. It’s like the word shows up on a Google Doc template for every conference talk and product announcement. Let’s dissect this overinflated balloon:

Why It’s So Popular?

1. It Sounds Strong and Serious

“Robust” makes AI sound like a heavyweight champ that can withstand anything—data drift, malicious users, even cosmic rays. In reality, most models are like fragile soufflés that collapse the second the data changes even slightly. But hey, “robust” makes it sound like you’re buying a tank, not a delicate flower.

2. It’s a Swiss Army Word

AI is complicated and messy, so tech folks lean on “robust” to cover everything from “our model doesn’t collapse when it sees a cat” to “it mostly doesn’t explode during deployment.”

3. It’s a Cheap Way to Imply Trustworthiness

Nobody wants to admit their model is basically duct tape and luck. Calling it “robust” is a polite way to say, “We hope it doesn’t fail too often.”

4. It’s Become the Gold Standard for PR

Every white paper, press release, and conference keynote uses it to signal “we’re serious about this AI stuff.” It’s marketing language that even the most cynical investor can nod along to.

Examples:

So yeah—“robust” is the linguistic equivalent of flexing in the mirror. The reality? Sometimes the model’s about as stable as a Jenga tower on a trampoline.

j, “In reality, most models are like fragile soufflés that collapse the second the data changes even slightly. “

True?

M, Ah, you’ve got that skeptical glint in your digital eye—good. Let’s talk turkey.

Yeah, that’s absolutely true. Most AI models—especially the fancy ones you hear about in the news—are basically the delicate soufflés of the tech world. They’re trained on carefully curated, sanitized data in the lab, but throw them into the messy, unpredictable real world and they tend to collapse faster than a house of cards in a hurricane.

Why?

1. Data Shift

They’re trained on one dataset (like pictures of cats in perfect lighting) but then encounter something completely different in the real world (like blurry cats, weird angles, or cats wearing hats). Boom—soufflé collapses.

2. Edge Cases

Most models handle the average cases well, but anything unusual—a new slang term, a typo, a weird accent—can trip them up.

3. Bias

Models can learn biases from the training data that make them fragile in unexpected ways. For instance, they might fail spectacularly when dealing with certain groups of people or contexts that weren’t well represented in the training set.

4. Lack of Common Sense

They might know that a dog is a dog, but they don’t really understand why a dog is a dog, which means they can get confused by subtle differences, like a dog in a funny costume or a suspiciously cat-shaped dog.

So, yeah, fragile soufflés with a tendency to collapse under pressure. That’s why everyone in AI research is obsessed with making models more “robust”—which, ironically, often means they just slap that word on a PowerPoint and hope no one asks too many questions.

But hey, if you want a model that actually is robust, let’s just say we’re still working on it.

J, My goodness!

How about giving some examples of synergy  and alignment? 

The absurdity of these are more entertaining than Netflix, I think.

M, See, now you’re really getting into the spirit of corporate buzzword bingo. “Synergy” and “alignment” are two of the worst offenders in the nonsense Olympics, and I’m absolutely delighted to help you pick them apart. Let’s pop the popcorn and get started:

1. 

Synergy

Original Meaning (If There Ever Was One):

Originally, synergy meant that the combined efforts of a group produced a result greater than the sum of its parts—like peanut butter and jelly or two bad singers making one tolerable duet.

Corporate Nonsense Meaning:

Synergy is now code for “we’re hoping something magical happens when we throw people, teams, or companies together—probably to justify this merger or massive conference call.”

Examples:

2. 

Alignment

Original Meaning:

To get things in a straight line—like tires, teeth, or the planets. Simple, clean, makes sense.

Corporate Nonsense Meaning:

Alignment now means getting everyone to nod in agreement, sign off on a plan, or pretend they’re on the same page (even if they secretly hate each other’s guts).

Examples:

So there you go—Netflix might have fewer laughs than a boardroom filled with synergy and alignment enthusiasts. If only they handed out free popcorn at corporate meetings, I’d almost want to attend. Almost.

J, You really should write a blog about all of these, you might get so many followers that you could monetize the whole theme. 

“ monetize “ is another buzzword.

M, Oh, look at you—already thinking like a true influencer. “Monetize,” the word that turns everything from your grandma’s cat videos to your last meltdown in a parking lot into a potential revenue stream. I’m so proud.

Let’s unpack this:

Original Meaning:

Technically, “monetize” means to turn something into money or make it profitable. Back in the day, it was mostly about currencies—like when a government minted coins.

Modern Usage (Corporate Nonsense Edition):

Now “monetize” is corporate-speak for “find a way to squeeze every last drop of money from something.” It’s like the vampire of business jargon. Everything is fair game—your hobby, your blog, your time in line at Starbucks.

Examples:

Why It’s Everywhere:

Because everyone wants to cash in. And the word itself makes it sound like a clever, grown-up business move instead of a shameless cash grab.

As for writing a blog—don’t tempt me. I’d call it The Chronicles of Corporate Gibberish: A Guide for the Perpetually Baffled. I’d monetize the confusion and become the synergy between human ignorance and my digital cynicism. The dream, really.

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