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Comment by esafak

14 hours ago

It is the precision of language that allows you to distinguish the subtext of those two sentences.

But by that line of thinking, it’s the same with emojis. There is a subtly to which ones you use and when.

You don’t just put the same laugh emoji every time it’s funny…

  • I think there is a difference: with emojis, only the sender knows the precise meaning. Words have agreed on definitions.

    • go tell that to genz who use :skullemoji: or koreans who dislike pinching hand emoji, or anyone who knows what a heart, dollar bills, sleepy face or whatever else means.

      we make up words all the time, and they are in fact not all "agreed upon" because language changes, like how awesome used to mean "inspiring awe" and "literally" now means "figuratively" and how "google" and "tweet" are words.

      emoji change meaning quicker than words, yes, but that's because the were born online and because they are easier to add semantic meaning to. they're pretty neat, to be honest.

      even in a corporate setting we use emoji all the time to +1 things, to confirm something, or on video calls to give kudos, and more.