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Pastimes : SI Grammar and Spelling Lab -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lady Lurksalot who wrote (1131)	4/12/1998 12:34:00 AM
From: jbe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4710

I think the widespread use of emoticons is yet another sign that letter-writing is a lost art. Emoticons, eh? So that's what they're called! (Thanks, Penni, for deciphering some of them for me.) I agree that they are barbarous, and that it is inconceivable that Elizabeth & Robert Browning should ever have used them in their correspondence with one another. On the other hand, Elizabeth & Robert knew one another. Most people who participate in internet discourse (chat rooms, newsgroups, etc.) do not know one another(although sometimes they feel they do), and as a result misunderstandings occur. They are especially likely to occur when one participant makes a remark in jest, while the other takes the remark seriously. This was brought home to me a while back when, in a communication to the Webmaster of a chronically buggy site, I wrote something to the effect that I was beginning to suspect that the programmers had gone on a toot. Of course, I was joking. Well -- the answer I got back! I was an ignoramus, a boob, a no-good etc., etc. My son later advised me that I should have added a smiley face after my sentence, and he showed me how to make one. I have never used the symbol, but I can see the advantage of using it, along with <gggg>, <VBG>, etc., etc., to oil the wheels of internet discourse. If these barbarous emoticons (love that word!) have served to prevent a few public spats, to forestall unseemly manifestations of information highway road rage, so much the better, I suppose. But there goes the language.... jbe

To: Lady Lurksalot who wrote (1131)	4/12/1998 1:09:00 AM
From: Rambi	1 Recommendation Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 4710

Yo Holly! ROFLMAO! :-))))))) I dunno---it might have helped us in English lit classes... I love thee :-) with the breath {:-O , Smiles <ggg>, tears :-(, of all my life!- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee :-)better after death (VBG) ) > 0 <----dead person ) A @---> is a @---> is a @--->

To: Lady Lurksalot who wrote (1131)	4/12/1998 10:26:00 AM
From: Mazman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4710

Holly, Though I much prefer emoticon-free verse, I think it is here to stay for a number of reasons. First, in this age of political correctness, people walk on egg shells in order not to offend. One way to reduce risk of offense is to add helpers, such as emoticons and grins <g> to make the intent of your words abundantly clear. Second, posted messages today, unlike letters past, have many readers beyond the intended. This raises the risk of misunderstanding and quick, angry response ('getting flamed'). Again, emoticons and grins help lower this risk. Third, since email is generally short and to the point, ideas and opinions are expressed in terse prose, leaving little room for nuanced language and supporting argument. It's similar to reacting to a newspaper headline without reading the story. In a separate thought, why do so few online writers use paragraphs anymore? Proper spacing is so much easier on the eye. I also think it helps structure and strengthen the thought process. Regards, Mazman

To: Lady Lurksalot who wrote (1131)	4/15/1998 12:05:00 AM
From: Chuzzlewit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4710

Holly, I disagree. I think we're really in a transitional stage right now. I wonder how many of today's posters ever considered corresponding before the existence of chat rooms. Now it is commonplace. I think that these folks are just beginning to realize the strengths and pitfalls of the language. Like children embarked on a new adventure in cycling, they require training wheels. As they gain skills in written expression perhaps those emoticons will disappear. On the other hand, were I a pessimist I would expect them to appear in the newest edition of whatever dictionary is about to be published. They would have a section following z entitled "emoticons". TTFN, CTC