> How do we keep the meanings of words from diverging so dramatically and so rapidly?

We don’t engage. It’s the only shot we have.

There was a useful article at 404 Media recently about our failure to prevent those on the extreme edges of culture from normalizing their language and behavior: We Have Learned Nothing About Amplifying Morons[0]. See the article, but essentially by engaging we cede ground. Sorta like how both-sides journalism gives space to anti-science nuts and lets them spread falsehoods.

0. https://www.404media.co/we-have-learned-nothing-about-amplif...