Smilie abuse!!!!

Dragongirl · Mar 5, 2003

Would make this a poll but that would be an OT poll and we don't want to go there. Who else thinks smilies are being used too often to hide personal attacks or arguements? Seems to be a growing tredn, or am I crazy? Or both?

Horacio · Mar 5, 2003

you're not crazy and you're right, IMO

Sniktch · Mar 5, 2003

I've noticed this, too, although sometimes it is very difficult to determine the actual tone with which the statement was meant to be taken. I figure if its a blatant attack then a couple of smilies aren't going to hide your intentions from anyone, though.

Crothian · Mar 5, 2003

The statement is to general. If you think there are specific posts that do this, report them or ignore them. Sure some people do this, but not everyone.

Piratecat · Mar 5, 2003

Hmmm... I've seen no sign that this is any worse than it has ever been. Crothian's advice is pretty good!

Umbran · Mar 5, 2003

Dragongirl said:
Seems to be a growing tredn, or am I crazy? Or both?

I don't see it as a growing trend. For time immemorial, people have hidden aggressiveness and insults behind a smile. The tactic got applied to electronic forums just as soon as the guy firs typed a ":" and a ")" together. While it's not nice, it also isn't something to get up in arms over. It has happened, is happening, and will happen again. Not much you can do about it, and the boards will survive nonetheless...

jdavis · Mar 5, 2003

Yea it happens a lot but I don't think it is as much people trying to hide personal attacks as people trying to make sure their post are not taken as personal attacks. You can generally tell when somebody is being a wise ass and when somebody is actually making a personal attack, but a lot of people take things personal they shouldn't, thus the smiley face at the end to signal it's not a serious personal attack. I'm sure this does get abused, and I find it humorous that so much emphasis is put on whether there was a smiley face at the end of the attack or not, I'm sure the "But I put a smiley face at the end" defense would not hold up in court. I would guess you would have to view every post on it's own merits whether there was a smiley face at the end or not, if it offends then it offends, report it.