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Re:Apple introduces macOS Mojave by JumpCrisscross on Monday June 04, 2018 @08:45PM (#17234037)
> if you take the T-Rex out, we're back to something I can easily convey in ascii

May I ask if you read fiction in more than one language? There are constructions even in those close to English which I find impossible to accurately translate in a way that preserves the delight of the interaction between their phrasing and underlying meaning.

For T-Rex, two examples:

"I drank too much at the Christmas party.

Not as much as Bob. He puked in the restaurant sink before appetizers were served.

[Dancing eye-rolling T-Rex]"

--or--

"Let's go.

Where?

BarBar.

BarBar?

Happy hour pricing until midnight.

[Dancing eyes-rolled-back T-Rex]"

In the former, the emoji communicates derision. In the latter, playfulness. Depending on the style of animation and context, the emoji could further communicate cuteness versus tactile incompetence, letting go versus a loss of control, subject versus object.

The process of decoding an emoji is analogous to a simplified form of interpreting art. Why is that there? Am I supposed to interpret it using the positive or negative connotation? In some cases, less ambiguity is desired. But in others, the ambiguity itself carries information of a sort impossible to parse into words.

Re:Apple introduces macOS Mojave by EpicEng on Tuesday June 05, 2018 @02:19AM (#17235383)
>"I drank too much at the Christmas party.

>Not as much as Bob. He puked in the restaurant sink before appetizers were served.

>[Dancing eye-rolling T-Rex]"

Ummmm... Points for trying I guess? You lost me at "person who drank too much == T-Rex"