Clanker

Type: Concept

As of November 2026, Clanker has been mentioned in one podcast episode on NPR (Nov 2025).

A speculative slur for robots, used to describe a future scenario where robots become sentient and are treated as a human minority or lower class. The term is a derogatory play on 'clanking' (robotic movement) and is compared to racial slurs, reflecting anxieties about robot consciousness and social status.

Clanker at a glance
Mentioned in	1 episode on 1 podcast (as of November 2026)
First heard	Nov 2025 on NPR
Field	Sociology, Artificial Intelligence, Internet Culture

Who talks about Clanker on podcasts?

Clanker came up; the most recent mention was Nov 2025 on NPR.

Adam Aleksic discusses 'Algospeak' and how social media is changing how we talk on NPR (Nov 2025)

What is Clanker mentioned alongside?

Clanker is most often mentioned alongside Senator Ruben Ggo, robots and Gen X.

Mentioned together: Senator Ruben Ggo, robots, Gen X, internet meme, year60, Star Wars Corporation