I acknowledge I am new to these parts so I approach this subject with caution as I sense I may be challenging a sacred cow but I have to ask - what is it with the almost universal, communal habit of using these inane "smiley" cartoons to spoil and infantasise what is often an otherwise intelligent post?

I have never been a fan of them and have regarded them as the tool of adolecsent Facebookers and SMSers and people who have trouble expressing themselves with actual words but I notice they are used on this 'site with reckless abandon, so much so, that I wonder if there is not some contest to see who can insert the most of these idiotic animations in the one post.

I understand that they serve a purpose (actually, I don't) but is that purpose really to be found in a forum designed for adult men who's stated interest is the Godly subject of The Motorcycle?

I dunno, I may be wrong (my wife says I am) but I don't reckon these things are fit to be used by proper grown-ups.

I look forward to reading your opinion.

Whi is gunna answer first

I rest my case.

You should really be more concerned with YOURSELF, not others.

If you don't like the song, change the radio station.

Is this serious ??

I believe they enhance the content of the message . For example if you state in words that it made you "sad" I believe the addition of a smiley face would help to put it into more context. So do I mean or I mean even to the point of crying . LIke comics or even written content that includes small pictures. It helps to put the reader in the story tellers mind .

You could tell some one how to get somewhere or you could give them directions with the help of a map to further push the point.


Do you understand? or

J.D. wrote: No you don't. You look forward to the confrontation.

People who have trouble expressing themselves with words? Like this one? "infantasise" that's not EVEN a word, but some supposed literate adult TRIED to pass it off as a word by using it in a sentence. Now he wants to cast stones as to who's being adult? OK..Remaxed wrote:
Amen Randy, eviudently he likes to think of himself as a preacher, and I personally like his avatar.. PERFECT!

whatcha trin' to say?

My wife said I need to express my feelings more sooo to this thread

I wonder the same with avatars.

Easy on the bashing guys. It seemed odd to me when first on a forum. I for one am no writer. I can never find thr right words so i ise smilies for my lacking of words. I'm. Also a big picture person. Thats the reason I read easyriders rags instead of book.
to each their own.

But your avatar still scares me.

Smilies represent your feeling and avatars are to express who you are in real world or fantasy?

Mike D (my real name)