News Reporter: The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle recently came under fire after visitors were shocked to find a placard describing the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain in a controversial manner. The placard referred to Cobain’s death by suicide as him having “unalived” himself at 27. The term “unalived” originated on TikTok as a way to discuss death without triggering censors on the app. However, it has since evolved into a euphemistic way to talk about death, particularly suicide, to make the topic more comfortable.
The appearance of “unalived” in a museum exhibit sparked controversy among visitors, with many arguing that the term disrespected Cobain and his legacy. Some even compared it to Newspeak from George Orwell’s “1984.” The Museum of Pop Culture has not responded to requests for comment regarding the placard.
The use of “unalived” is part of a larger trend of utilizing euphemistic language to discuss sensitive topics like suicide. In response to stricter content moderation on TikTok, users have adopted new terms like “unalived” to avoid censorship. This slang, known as algospeak, has now made its way into offline language, particularly among younger generations.
Despite the controversy, some experts believe that “unalived” may have staying power due to its unique function and the evolving nature of language. The updated placard at the Museum of Pop Culture now refers to Cobain’s death more directly as suicide, addressing the concerns raised by visitors. Language continues to evolve, often reflecting changing attitudes and sensitivities towards difficult subjects like suicide.
