Emoticons...

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  • Emoticons...

    Why do so many posters use these after so many posts? and...

    Do posters really think that a smiling emoticon takes away the effects of stinging/mean comments?

    I am really curious about this!

  • #2
    Re: Emoticons...

    Originally posted by J. Ken MacDonald View Post
    Why do so many posters use these after so many posts? and...

    Do posters really think that a smiling emoticon takes away the effects of stinging/mean comments?

    I am really curious about this!
    Communication, on any level, is a tremendous challenge. When it's between people on the Internet who don't know each other, all you have are the words on the screen. There's no context, facial cues, easily perceived tone, etc. All the clues we depend on in face-to-face interactions are missing. Emoticons are meant to compensate, in part, for that.

    But, when you factor in people who have English as a second (or third or fourth) language, folks with poor writing skills and those who simply refuse to look things over before hitting "post", all the smileys in the world won't help you see into their hearts. And, that's not even talking about the on-line heroes who talk in a way they would never dare try in real life.

    Emoticons are a tool and, as with any tool, they can be used improperly or by unskilled hands. They are meant to be complementary to the written words and not as replacements.

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