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Your brain on emoji

nautil.us

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Re: Your brain on emoji

#21

Post by xzsinu »

Nition wrote: post #10
WaffleIronMaker wrote: post #2

I'm surprised to see the spread of emoji attributed to Microsoft in the initial sentences. It's possible that the author may be referring to the smiley faces in extended character pages, or maybe Webdings, but I generally associate the term 'emoji' with Unicode characters specifically, which I believe to have been petitioned by Google and popularized by Apple. Interesting article either way.

That first paragraph really put me off the article to be honest. Why read an article on emoji by someone who doesn't know what emoji are? At the same time, I do realise "emoji" is now often being used as a generic term that encompasses both true emoji (unicode-based) and general emoticon images.

I've never heard emoticons referred to as emoji, mainly because people don't use emoticons anymore (unless they still post on forums). It seems like a deliberate editorial decision. I would prefer to preserve the distinction, however, for reasons GP stated.

Re: Your brain on emoji

#22

Post by JohnFen »

dijit wrote: post #11
frereubu wrote: post #4

I was a hold-out for quite a while, like the author, because they felt very twee. The one that convinced me though was the thumbs-up emoji, which can be an entire reply to an email or text, that says "I've read this, and we don't need to continue the conversation", with undertones of agreement or a thank-you. Somehow single-word replies like "Gotcha" or "Yes" felt too curt, and anything longer invited further discuss…

Yet (and I'm sorry to generalise); Gen-Z "typically finds thumbs up emoji passive aggressive" https://nypost.com/2022/10/26/gen-z-has-hidden-meanings-for-...

I've found that different subcultures can apply very different connotations to emojis (as well as other communications things). I think it's a fool's errand to try to find a usage that carries the same subtext for all subcultures.

This is largely a "know your audience" sort of thing. My approach is to just write like I normally do when I don't know the peculiarities of the specific people I'm talking with. In general, they will know you aren't "on the inside" and will understand that you don't know what the various connotations are. Even if they'll mock you for it later amongst themselves.

Re: Your brain on emoji

#23

Post by [deleted] »

dijit wrote: post #11
frereubu wrote: post #4

I was a hold-out for quite a while, like the author, because they felt very twee. The one that convinced me though was the thumbs-up emoji, which can be an entire reply to an email or text, that says "I've read this, and we don't need to continue the conversation", with undertones of agreement or a thank-you. Somehow single-word replies like "Gotcha" or "Yes" felt too curt, and anything longer invited further discuss…

Yet (and I'm sorry to generalise); Gen-Z "typically finds thumbs up emoji passive aggressive" https://nypost.com/2022/10/26/gen-z-has-hidden-meanings-for-...

[deleted]

Re: Your brain on emoji

#24

Post by FFP999 »

aidenn0 wrote: post #12
baz00 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's a little unfair to attribute it to Microsoft and MSN Messenger as it was a concept that originated on Japanese phones AFAIK. Also Microsoft's emojis are currently the worst by a mile out of the big tech companies.

The invention in Japan, Europe, and the US of smileys was relatively concurrent, which makes sense because by the late 90s, text-art faces (e.g. ":-)" "(^_^)") were prevalent.

[dead]

Re: Your brain on emoji

#25

Post by JohnFen »

xzsinu wrote: post #21
Nition wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That first paragraph really put me off the article to be honest. Why read an article on emoji by someone who doesn't know what emoji are? At the same time, I do realise "emoji" is now often being used as a generic term that encompasses both true emoji (unicode-based) and general emoticon images.

I've never heard emoticons referred to as emoji, mainly because people don't use emoticons anymore (unless they still post on forums). It seems like a deliberate editorial decision. I would prefer to preserve the distinction, however, for reasons GP stated.

I use emoticons when texting (because I'm a graybeard), but my phone translates them into emojis before sending. So I've just taken to calling them all emojis.

Re: Your brain on emoji

#26

Post by sickcodebruh »

I was also a holdout until I saw emojis described as "body language for text". That helps contextualize them and let me appreciate them. They let you add so much nuance and personality to text. In a world of async communication, they can be crucial signifiers of intent.

Re: Your brain on emoji

#27

Post by Modified3019 »

frereubu wrote: post #4

I was a hold-out for quite a while, like the author, because they felt very twee. The one that convinced me though was the thumbs-up emoji, which can be an entire reply to an email or text, that says "I've read this, and we don't need to continue the conversation", with undertones of agreement or a thank-you. Somehow single-word replies like "Gotcha" or "Yes" felt too curt, and anything longer invited further discuss…

Yeah me and my coworkers make heavy use to the thumbs up as a “got it/acknowledged”, because we work in ag driving in and out of cell range, so it lets the sender know the herd of cats got their message and will be acted upon, instead of fucking radio silence or a gish gallop of unwanted text.

Re: Your brain on emoji

#28

Post by tayo42 »

e40 wrote: post #17
dijit wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet (and I'm sorry to generalise); Gen-Z "typically finds thumbs up emoji passive aggressive" https://nypost.com/2022/10/26/gen-z-has-hidden-meanings-for-...

First, NY Post? F them and the horse they rode in on. They stoke culture wars at every turn. Second, even if it was true (which I doubt), there are some things which should be ignored and someone believing this nonsense should not be coddled. I'm very liberal, but this is just pure nonsense.

Idk that's how I interpret the thumbs up after I say something. In my mind it's comes off like a dismissive "that's cool". Like what ever I said isn't worthy of a text response. Idk it's a little odd to explain I guess

Re: Your brain on emoji

#29

Post by labster »

I’m starting to think that Hacker News is on the wrong side of history on this one. Without the emotional channel, we make more misunderstandings, which leads to more hostile posts. Emoji are becoming a permanent part of written language.

I don’t want to see a post full of emoji either, but perhaps a filter that allows one emoji per 20 words would work. Perhaps using a font with black line or grayscale emoji?

Re: Your brain on emoji

#30

Post by [deleted] »

frereubu wrote: post #4

I was a hold-out for quite a while, like the author, because they felt very twee. The one that convinced me though was the thumbs-up emoji, which can be an entire reply to an email or text, that says "I've read this, and we don't need to continue the conversation", with undertones of agreement or a thank-you. Somehow single-word replies like "Gotcha" or "Yes" felt too curt, and anything longer invited further discuss…

[deleted]
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