OK - Seriously what's with the smiley hate?

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Mari

yeah, that superiority complex, I don't get that either.

I just noticed the last couple of smilies in dudden's post!

I concur. I think that people who hate smilies are generally angry people who hate most things. JMO

[Mari]

Ah yes. And when you're angry, what could be worse than looking at a

[SomeKindaMother]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I agree totally Mari.
I do think some people overuse them, but really what's the harm?
As Christy said sometimes its so hard to gauge the tone of what people are saying on a messageboard and they can help in that respect.
I also can't understand the superior attitude some people have just because they don't use them.

I absolutely agree. I think the smilies help me to express myself. When I first started using messageboards, I was shocked to go back and read how **serious** my posts sounded! I certainly hadn't intended them to sound that way. But for some reason, I do that. Maybe some people *like* to sound serious, and think it shows a higher degree of class and intelligence by not using them. In actuality, I think some people are just more visually sensative and the smilies just annoy the crap out of them...or distract them. I hadn't really realized that until this thread. I have seen them used somewhat sarcasticly, but it's better than some of the alternatives we've all seen on messageboards. I think the blob things are adorable, but I can't really think of an appropriate time to use them. I really doubt I ever will now knowing how much they bother some people.

Kelly
(maybe I should take off my smilie??)

[hayley]

I don't think anyone is saying that smileys are the bane of the Internet, and that they should never be used. I hate most emoticons because personally- I prefer to convey my emotions through my writing. I think that emoticons and acronyms have dumbed down the Internet as a form of meaningful, intelligent communication. Do I use them occasionally? Yes. Do I use multiple ones in every single post? No way.

But, that's my writing style and my preference in what I read. Everyone should use as many smileys as they want. I tend to associate lots of emoticons with posts or statements that don't have a whole lot behind them in their argument, or with people who are posting just to post. They're blinding, too. Oww, my eyes. I just wonder if people realize how utterly stupid they look with a post that looks like this:

Yeah, what you said!

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by dudden22

That one is just too great!

[Mari]

Originally Posted by hayley

I just wonder if people realize how utterly stupid they look with a post that looks like this:

Yeah, what you said!

It looks stupid to you, Hayley. I've no problem with that at all.
It's a personal preference!

[hayley]

Originally Posted by Mari

It looks stupid to you, Hayley. I've no problem with that at all.
It's a personal preference!

It's definitely a personal preference and opinion, just like David and Nancy both had personal opinions that smileys are disingenuous. The passive-aggressive reaction to their posts about it in the Ledgie survivor thread just goes to further reiterate their point about them. I think it's hilarious.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by macfanken

Actually, it's the Tacoma Narrows Bridge... just before it collapsed in the 1940s. I thought it look cool, I'll probably bring the jumping critters back after a while.

Originally Posted by irishgrl

I seem to recall some film footage showing an old sedan creeping across it while it was doing the mambo......it was part of a film I saw in grade school about natural disasters, and included that HUGE earthquake in Anchorage Alaska...
Nature is SCARY man....

You've most likely seen the film clip of the guy who left his car on the bridge and ran to safety just minutes before the bridge collapsed?

Well, the truth is, the M-F'ER LEFT HIS DOG IN THE CAR and his dog perished in the collapse.

[skcin]

I like them. I agree with what some of you have said about them sometimes clarifying what I'm trying to post. For example:

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

BTW, the correct answer for me is #2, mainly because at this rate, I'll be waiting 10 years.

[SomeKindaMother]

Originally Posted by hayley

I don't think anyone is saying that smileys are the bane of the Internet, and that they should never be used. I hate most emoticons because personally- I prefer to convey my emotions through my writing. I think that emoticons and acronyms have dumbed down the Internet as a form of meaningful, intelligent communication. Do I use them occasionally? Yes. Do I use multiple ones in every single post? No way.

But, that's my writing style and my preference in what I read. Everyone should use as many smileys as they want. I tend to associate lots of emoticons with posts or statements that don't have a whole lot behind them in their argument, or with people who are posting just to post. They're blinding, too. Oww, my eyes. I just wonder if people realize how utterly stupid they look with a post that looks like this:

Yeah, what you said!

You must have a very clear writing style that people obviously understand. Not all of us are talented writers so we use smilies to help us. I don't think that type of smile laden statement makes someone look stupid at all. I think it makes the post look...fun. I have seen many and I just think they are, at their worst, a bit of overkill in funland. But they don't hurt my eyes, so of course I wouldn't find them as annoying as some others.

Kelly

[SomeKindaMother]

Originally Posted by skcin

I like them. I agree with what some of you have said about them sometimes clarifying what I'm trying to post. For example:

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

I can't wait for Lindsey's solo album!

BTW, the correct answer for me is #2, mainly because at this rate, I'll be waiting 10 years.

What a nice demonstration!! Plus I agree with you, sadly. But *if* a release date is **EVER** set, I will bring out the blobs! Be warned! (This is where I would have added the nodding smilie!)

Kelly

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by hayley

I don't think anyone is saying that smileys are the bane of the Internet, and that they should never be used.

Yeah, seriously. Some people are very defensive of even qualified smiley criticism that allows for genuine usage, it seems! lol

[DrummerDeanna]

I was just trying to get why some people dislike smilies so -as I've no problem with them and have always thought them a cute and fun addition to the board.

And someone can have a clear and great writing style - but like it or, this is the internet and a lot of times, even in the clearest written form, it's not always easy to tell one's tone or meaning - sarcasm for instance - not easily conveyed through just writing - especially if it's from someone who isn't familiar to eveyone - or someone who others may not realize is a smart-ass.

Anyway - thanks for the clarification on why some like/dislike smilies - I for one love them and intend to keep using them

[amber]

Originally Posted by hayley

I don't think anyone is saying that smileys are the bane of the Internet, and that they should never be used.:

Although, strangely, I think a few months ago, someone, in fact, you, actually said in the midst of a discussion, and you said it to me, something like "It is widely known that emoticons are the bane of the internet". Or maybe you said scourge? something like that. Hahahahaha, I love that. I remember, because that's the first time I ever knew that a lot of people considered emoticons less than ideal, is when you told me. At the time I had no idea that lots of poeple didn't like them. Until you said that.
I'm glad that's no longer as true as it was.

[skcin]

I find it more annoying when people write everything in internet speak.

I would love to see you

vs.

I would luv 2 C U