The ubiquitous rise of emojis as an integral part of our daily communication has had some troubling repercussions, not just on the very quality of human interaction, but also on the nuance supplied by the once-sacred art of eloquence. It’s shocking to see how animated, little images have overshadowed meaningful, heartfelt conversations. Our reliance on these symbols has reduced the use of words, explored language, and restricted emotional expressions. It’s as though we’ve traveled back in time and are now carving hieroglyphs on digital cave walls.
There was a time when the persuasive power of your abilities to express was judged by your command over well-knit phrases and precise vocabulary. Now, it’s all about locating the right sett of emojis, a “language” both creatively limiting and insidiously addictive.
For some of us, this has paralleled with the unfortunate exchange of ink-stained fingers for fast, flighty thumbs, of newsprint’s heady smell over the soulless glare of a mobile screen. Take, for instance, the daily routine of getting the morning mail at the local deli back home in Schenectady. The act was almost a social event – you’d say your courteous “Good mornings,” exchange a little friendly banter and then quietly retreat to your corner with your paper, mug of coffee in your free hand. Now, with tables filled with heads bowed in digital worship, there’s minimal chatter and thus, a faded sense of camaraderie.
The richness of human dialogue, whether it be familial, friendly, or romantic has been severely impacted by these yellow circles with dubious expressions. Instead of typing out a heartfelt apology, it seems easier for folks to send a sad face with a tear drop or two. In my time, the power of such a moment was in the act, not in a cartoon characters’ mawkish representation.
I remember when my compadres and I were teenagers, passing scribbled notes in class, painstakingly making sure every word struck the right note, be it for a clandestine rendezvous or a shared joke. But now, children are making do with sending poorly drawn facial expressions – blushing faces, crying faces, laughing faces. It’s a virtual circus, but without the attendant joy and excitement. It’s akin to viewing a play sans dialogues, where expressions must suffice for nuanced conversation.
Moreover, what was once considered the hallmark of learned individuals – a commanding grasp of language – is dwindling rapidly. For individuals such as myself, an expert use of vocabulary was akin to a badge of honor, a testament to years of reading, learning, and conversing.
Take the case of my niece, Nora, a bright seventeen-year old who once held a penchant for words, often indulging me in captivating debates during family gatherings. Last summer, while visiting, we challenged each other to a war of words, a friendly game we often orchestrated. To my horror, instead of exhilarating repartees, she began communicating initial responses through emojis. The sparkle in her eyes was replaced by a scatter of unexplainable ideograms on her screen. My heart wrenched at the sight. Had we truly come so far only to be reduced to this state?
And, it’s not just our youth. Corporations are encouraging this laughable trend. Emails, once a testament to properly drafted business discourse are now peppered with smiley faces, thumbs up, and hearts.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the appeal – the accessibility, the ease, the universally recognizable symbols - yet, the price we pay is too high. The loss of eloquence, the appreciation for beautifully crafted sentences and cleverly structured dialogue, is too great a cost.
Surely, we can believe in a world where both can co-exist – the brevity of emojis for those hurried moments - and the glorious power of language for all else. It’s essential that we value the beauty of language and resist converting all our interactions into a series of icons on a screen.
In this world, increasingly connected, yet paradoxically isolated, perhaps a return to eloquence might just help us rediscover, and reclaim the lost art of human interaction. And maybe, just maybe we could reclaim some of the good old days where charm and wit were currency and thoughtfulness was treasured. One can hope, no, fiercely wish, right? For even a writer could sometimes use a dreamy smiley-star emoji to express his hopeful yearnings.
