I’m going to tell on myself, here and now — I, like most people in this world, use emojis. I’m fairly certain, however, that I insert fewer emojis than the minutes I spend pondering emojis.
Sometimes, I ponder emojis when I receive them, and most of the time, when I send one. Here’s what I don’t like about emojis:
- They are completely open to subjective interpretation. While this can be fun at times, I mostly think, “meh,” or the committee in my head has an emoji field day.
- An emoji, an “LOL,” or something of that ilk, after something potentially uncomfortable or even negative has been sent, appears really dishonest to me. I promise, the “LOL” doesn’t remove the sort of icky message you just sent to me.
- I would always prefer reading words and actual sentences. I want to read exactly what you mean to say.
- I generally don’t like the avoidance of honesty and I think emoji use is a breeding ground for smoke-screening.
- They’re a perceived sort of universal language, but, no thanks.
- Shortcuts, don’t always serve us well.
So, obviously, I’m cranky today, but even when I’m not cranky, emojis just don’t really do it for me. If you want me to know what your thinking, feeling or doing, and we’re messaging or texting each other, please just type words.
We could go really crazy and actually speak on the phone or in person.
I have a feeling it’s not easy to stop using emojis, but I am going to try to use my words when I’m typing something to you. I am going to use WHOLE words too! No more:
- TTYL
- SMH
- LOL
- IDK
Oy. You get what I’m saying here. Of course, sound effects don’t count. For those of you who know me, “pfft,” is a common occurrence in my texts and messages. Like, Brokeback Mountain, “I just can’t quit you.”
Please let me know if you would like to join in THE MOVEMENT:
Commit to using entire (and even lengthy) words to communicate with each other, and not emojis or abbreviations!
(Formerly known as, “CTUEAELWTCWEOANEOA”)
And please note: this includes memes too.
No gifs,
&’s
or
Pamela Klier-Weidner (PKW) 