[UA] Re: Emoticons

[Royal Minister of Stuff]

--- Paul Wrider <paulwrider at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> It's a contextual question.  

Damn right.

> 
> But if I'm posting to a discussion list or a mass
> mail and say something dry, sarcastic and witty,
> unless the standard is such (and even if it is)
> people might take offense and feel like they have to
> post a bunch of responses as to why the poster is a
> big jerk who's way off base.
> 
The problem is, it seems kinda counterproductive to
POINT OUT that you're being dry, sarcastic or witty
with an emoticon.  It's makes the author seem
completely the opposite of dry, sarcastic and witty.

What gets me about emoticons is the need to "all be
friends here" that's behind them.  In business
situations, of which I am tragically out-of-the-loop,
an emoticon might be appropriate (especially when you
don't have the convenience of face-to-face contact.) 
Some business language can sound cold and nasty and a
little reassurance could save you a customer.

On the other hand, groupthink has no place in
intellectual discourse. If you want to use emoticons,
go ahead, but I don't think you're helping your case
any when you do.

I still think animated or disturbing emoticons are
best, however, on this list. 80~|< (The remains of
Eponymous' last interview.)

=====
-- Rp Bowman, Royal Minister of Stuff
The Electronic Nation of Yokeltania:
http://www.geocities.com/yokeltania/

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