If you don't like someones statements just ignore them.

[GoldenEraMTB]

Smileys are used to cover a myriad of misdoings.

I think they should be banned by law.
:twisted:

yeah, emoticons are annoying, though I use them often
Still, I would vote to ban the rolling eyes one- I've never used it, and it irks me to see it used :x

 

[pete_mcc]

I hate emoticons, they just make the internet safe for people too thick to figure out sarcasm and piss taking from genuine pity or agression without a visual que, or those too dreary to be humorous without resorting to a lol smiley to indicate 'that they did a funny'.

I just love the Russian roulette nature of posting without them and seeing what the nut jobs respond with...[/i]

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I hate emoticons, they just make the internet safe for people too thick to figure out sarcasm and piss taking from genuine pity or agression without a visual que, or those too dreary to be humorous without resorting to a lol smiley to indicate 'that they did a funny'.

I just love the Russian roulette nature of posting without them and seeing what the nut jobs respond with...[/i]

actually, I agree, with one exception- me (and a bunch of other people who don't care for the label of being thick). I use them since I tend to use my hands and many facial expressions when communicating in person. This makes it more personal despite the impersonal nature of an online forum.

 

[Neil]

I hate emoticons, they just make the internet safe for people too thick to figure out sarcasm and piss taking from genuine pity or agression without a visual que, or those too dreary to be humorous without resorting to a lol smiley to indicate 'that they did a funny'.

I just love the Russian roulette nature of posting without them and seeing what the nut jobs respond with...[/i]

You've appeared on "Grumpy Old Men" and I claim my £4.99.

But seriously, accepting the botched markup, haven't you kind of made the case for them, there - elitism at all times. Some people would rail against that, just because, really.

I'm somewhat ambivalent - I get the insincerity, I also agree on the reliance and overuse. But on the other hand, they can take the weight or sting out of some comments, and sometimes that has value - and they also can help when the message is read by people who either don't know each other, or not particularly well, or the message may not be in the native language of some of the participants.

And as any regular Monopoly player will agree, a get out of jail, free, card is always handy.

 

[pete_mcc]

But this is the problem: smileys are used instead of putting thought into a post and creating a well structured comment, they are used as a 'get out of jail card' ( I called you a c*nt, but I put a wink at the end!), they are used when people have no convictions in their argument and want to avoid upsetting people so they try and appease both sides.

I understand that yes they add and emotional element to an impersonal online forum, but I don't like conveying my emotions in a smile, a wink or a lol, to me that is symptomatic of the childish, vanilla flavoured nature of the web, and is all that I hate about facebook, myspace and the like (well that and the fact that Social Networking requires you to a) have friends and b) want to talk to them..).
Use words, not generic, broad brushstroke icons to display your feelings. Stand behind your arguments and to hell with everyone else, if someone has the passion and the time to construct a reasoned argument then have the courtesy to hear them out and amend your views if theirs are valid, but don't pander to their emotional insecurities by using a smiley to avoid upset.

The greatest thing that the Internet has to offer is that it brings together millions of people in discussion and argument, not in some coca-cola scented hippy world of love and harmony. if we constantly hark on about 'why can't we all get along' then we are missing the point of millions of years of human development-we are here because we challenge, fight and argue. Just look at the dodo, died out because it never knew when to fight or when to run away.

Now how's that: from smileys to dodos via human evolution in just a few short lines, and I've probably only managed to upset 90% of the people on here. Some say sociopath, others say honest with no inner dialogue to tell me when to shut up. Either way I just take my Citalopram and get on with things.

Just don't get me started on the overuse of exclamation marks or the self-indulgence, and over exaggeration of self-importance of excessive signatures in peoples posts......

Finally golderneramtb, I accept your one exception!

 

[marin man]

Is anybody on here not on drugs then <sorry about that.

 

[highlandsflyer]

:shock: :roll: :!:

 

[marin man]

There is always one

 

[Mr Panda]

I've just read this lot and decided I have too much free time and need to get out more :idea:

 

[pete_mcc]

:shock: :roll: :!:

That just bought me out in hives!