Smilies - can we live without them?

[CharleyH]

I am not sure any of us would understand each other without emoticons or smilies. Thoughts?

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I am not sure any of us would understand each other without emoticons or smilies. Thoughts?

We could, but it would involve a lot more typing since we'd have to include explanations for any play on words.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Grushenka]

 

[FatDino]

I am not sure any of us would understand each other without emoticons or smilies. Thoughts?

Not really. We can always describe our "looks." But yes, having smilies does help a lot *smiling and nodding*

 

[jomar]

I am not sure any of us would understand each other without emoticons or smilies. Thoughts?

As much as I cringed at using them at first, they become pretty indispensable at communicating "subtleties" and intent that don't come across easily with emails, posts, etc. Be nice to have even more available on Lit.

 

[3113]

I am not sure any of us would understand each other without emoticons or smilies. Thoughts?

Well, they were created in the first place because there were so many misunderstandings and flame wars on forums like this one. I won't say they've solved the problem of words on a computer screen...in my experience, people still do and say things they'd NEVER do and say if they were talking in person, and I mean mean, rude and often uncalled for things. But at least with the smilies those who aren't trying to be deliberately provocative can give type-written words tone and context.

And what would we AH folk do without the "rolleyes" smilie?

 

[cloudy]

And what would we AH folk do without the "rolleyes" smilie?

I was just fixin' to say I'd be lost without that one.

 

[poppy1963]

Do without them? We need a whole lot more! I've never seen such an emoticon-starved environment before....perhaps they use up more bandwidth or something than I know but damn....I'd say limit the sigs and get MORE SMILIES! Not because they are so damn cute...but because they help so much with expression in posts.

I love the written word but I don't want to have to waste so much time describing my responses in forum posts. A picture CAN be worth 1000 words if chosen well.

I vote MORE SMILIES! I know I know...there is no vote!

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

I ies

 

[CharleyH]

Well, they were created in the first place because there were so many misunderstandings and flame wars on forums like this one. I won't say they've solved the problem of words on a computer screen...in my experience, people still do and say things they'd NEVER do and say if they were talking in person, and I mean mean, rude and often uncalled for things. But at least with the smilies those who aren't trying to be deliberately provocative can give type-written words tone and context.

And what would we AH folk do without the "rolleyes" smilie?

Interesting and points taken. Care to expand?

 

[CharleyH]

I ies

I love crazies and mad as hatter types like Dr SrubmissedUgoddoI?

 

[Stella_Omega]

It depends on how complex the post is. If I'm trying to get something complicated or important across, I'd better make my words as effective as possible.
Smilies can add a little bit of extra emotional content, and they can be a very limited response all by themselves- but I've never seen an insulting post, for instance, that was belied by a happy face. Words come first...

 

[CharleyH]

It depends on how complex the post is. If I'm trying to get something complicated or important across, I'd better make my words as effective as possible.
Smilies can add a little bit of extra emotional content, and they can be a very limited response all by themselves- but I've never seen an insulting post, for instance, that was belied by a happy face. Words come first...

I agree mostly, Stell. If a post is meant to be insulting - should it have a smiley? Sometimes it does.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

I think that they are a quick effective method of relaying a mood or intention.

I also think we need way more. Like a naughty smilie...for god's sake, this is LIT

 

[FatDino]

I think that they are a quick effective method of relaying a mood or intention.

I also think we need way more. Like a naughty smilie...for god's sake, this is LIT

Totally agree.

But what would a "naughty" smile look like?

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Totally agree.

But what would a "naughty" smile look like?

I think this one http://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smileys/2104.gifhttp://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smileys/2104.gifhttp://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smileys/2104.gifis perfect


Here

and

here



http://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smilies2/0534.gif

 

[FatDino]

I think this one http://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smileys/2104.gifhttp://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smileys/2104.gifhttp://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smileys/2104.gifis perfect


Here

and

here



http://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smilies2/0534.gif

Did I say I agree? I agree 100%

 

[Stella_Omega]

I agree mostly, Stell. If a post is meant to be insulting - should it have a smiley? Sometimes it does.

More often than not!

 

[kendo1]

http://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/smilies/2046.gif

 

[Guest]

smilies are a forum's derelict dialect.
its kinda like moving south from living up north, they give extra meaning to ordinary sentiment.

Charles
i think you know what i mean.

 

[gauchecritic]

I eschew the use of smilies more often than not. ('cept in PMs for some reason)

They are the lazy way to communicate. If you're looking for a smiley to explain what's been written then you haven't read it. (and you didn't really ought to reply to it)

Some people (me for instance) can take anything up to an hour just to compose a 100 word post. If I haven't chosen the right words in that time then a smiley's not going to cut it.

There's a couple of threads about British versus Yanqui humour. One big reason for the difference is dead-pan delivery. All the stuff I post (which I find amusing, which is most of it, almost especially in the political threads) is meant to be delivered straight faced.

OK I admit I've pissed off more than a couple of people saying something I found funny which I didn't signify as funny. But If I have to signify funny (with a smiley) then IT'S NOT FUNNY. (Unlike shouting IT'S NOT FUNNY, at the end of a serious comment)

This applies doubly to sadness , compassion and love

If you haven't got the words then a tiny cartoon isn't going to help.

 

[cloudy]

I eschew the use of smilies more often than not. ('cept in PMs for some reason)

They are the lazy way to communicate. If you're looking for a smiley to explain what's been written then you haven't read it. (and you didn't really ought to reply to it)

Some people (me for instance) can take anything up to an hour just to compose a 100 word post. If I haven't chosen the right words in that time then a smiley's not going to cut it.

There's a couple of threads about British versus Yanqui humour. One big reason for the difference is dead-pan delivery. All the stuff I post (which I find amusing, which is most of it, almost especially in the political threads) is meant to be delivered straight faced.

OK I admit I've pissed off more than a couple of people saying something I found funny which I didn't signify as funny. But If I have to signify funny (with a smiley) then IT'S NOT FUNNY. (Unlike shouting IT'S NOT FUNNY, at the end of a serious comment)

This applies doubly to sadness , compassion and love

If you haven't got the words then a tiny cartoon isn't going to help.

Strangely enough, gauche, I usually get you.

I understand Charley, too.

should I be scared?

 

[Guest]

it takes all kinds. moderation is key, methinks.
i usually include one, two...or a few in each post. yes, i can see how you would think this is lazy but i also dont have a penchant for the shift key and im terribly over-fond of my precious ellipse.

 

[The_Fool]

We could, but it would involve a lot more typing since we'd have to include explanations for any play on words.

Rumple Foreskin

Rumple, stop playing with your words and just eat them....

 

[gauchecritic]

Strangely enough, gauche, I usually get you.

I understand Charley, too.

should I be scared?

Not really, it just goes some way to proving that you're not actually American, whatever your accent is.