Thoughts on /s (tone indicators?) (1 Viewer)

[maruberry]

Most of y'all have prolly noticed people on twt and reddit using like.... /s and and other similar ones in their posts.
They use it to indicate they are being sarcastic in a post....

what do you think of it?
Bcs I absolutely hate it!

It's like saying this was a joke btw at the end of every joke you make. It makes the joke instantly unfunny.
I get WHY people are doing it, bcs not everybody can understand stuff is sarcasm BUT...

Why should I create a minor inconvenience for myself, just so others don't have minor inconveniences???

This isn't some problem that people are massively misunderstanding jokes and it creates catastrophes bcs ppl didn't use to add /s at the end of the post! Like calling the new age people snowflakes is so god damn lame, overused etc.... but god damn snowflakes.

People shouldn't be acting "just in case" all the damn time.
What if somebody reads this and gets offended
What if somebody reads this and doesn't understand
What if somebody is mildly inconvenienced by this entirely insignificant and normal thing I did

IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT MUCH (I know I'm being hypocritical by getting annoyed at this, but just..... I got told off by smbdy for not using it sooooooo)
It just does not.

You shouldn't live constantly worried about other people like that!
Yes you shouldn't go out of your way to make others life worse, but you cannot pander to everybody!

When you are having a conversation with your friend, you shouldn't be thinking about what if smbdy overhears this joke and gets offended
NO
Live your god damn life and stop thinking about others so much

EDIT: I think I MOST LIKELY came across a bit too aggressive in this.... Forgive me, it's like 4am

 

[LeeHoseok]

You know who needs tone indicators? People with Autism and other disabilities who have trouble understanding tone in text-only scenarios.
This is just as bad of a take as your attack on people calling you out for AAVE.

For people with Autism, it's not a "minor inconvenience" it's a huge hurdle in our lives.

Also this isn't "thoughts", this is just you ranting about something you don't understand. It's ignorant, rude, and dismissive.

 

[Jimimis]

Idk like whatever but couldn’t whoever think of a more fun thing than /s like why can’t we use a happy face instead

 

[maruberry]

You know who needs tone indicators? People with Autism and other disabilities who have trouble understanding tone in text-only scenarios.
This is just as bad of a take as your attack on people calling you out for AAVE.

For people with Autism, it's not a "minor inconvenience" it's a huge hurdle in our lives.

Also this isn't "thoughts", this is just you ranting about something you don't understand. It's ignorant, rude, and dismissive.

Alright, I understand it would be tough for people with autism to understand these things.
I think people should be more careful when talking to people who are more likely to not understand
I think people should be more careful when addressing a group of people who are likely to not understand

Tailor your speech to the people you are talking to, but if you are talking to nobody specific, targeting your post to... anybody, like it tends to be on places like reddit etc I fail to see why people should HAVE to do this. (Which is mostly what triggered this, smbdy else telling me off for not using it)

I would even agree that people SHOULD do this, if it wouldn't take away anything from the original post. The thing is, adding that to the end of a joke instantly makes it less funny, making the joke not as good.

Why should I when making a joke, make that joke unfunny, just so everybody would be able to understand I am joking. That defeats the entire purpose of making a joke

This is just as bad of a take as your attack on people calling you out for AAVE.

I think my 4-5 am rants are beginning to have a pattern lmao I should stop ranting at 4 am

 

[gongchan]

"Why should I create a minor inconvenience for myself, just so others don't have minor inconveniences???"

What is a "minor inconvenience" to you, is a big deal to neurodivergent people. You see, one tone indicator tag that seems like a problem to you can mean the world to us. Neurodivergent people may sometimes have problems deciphering what messages mean, and not being able to understand can be very troubling and a big deal to us. Please educate yourself about this. It's a big deal to us and invalidating that is not cool. It is just common courtesy, adding a tone indicator should not be that big of a deal. Its the least that neurotypical people can do.

 

[LeeHoseok]

Alright, I understand it would be tough for people with autism to understand these things.
I think people should be more careful when talking to people who are more likely to not understand
I think people should be more careful when addressing a group of people who are likely to not understand

Tailor your speech to the people you are talking to, but if you are talking to nobody specific, targeting your post to... anybody, like it tends to be on places like reddit etc I fail to see why people should HAVE to do this. (Which is mostly what triggered this, smbdy else telling me off for not using it)

I would even agree that people SHOULD do this, if it wouldn't take away anything from the original post. The thing is, adding that to the end of a joke instantly makes it less funny, making the joke not as good.

Why should I when making a joke, make that joke unfunny, just so everybody would be able to understand I am joking. That defeats the entire purpose of making a joke

After breathing for a few minutes, I figured I'd elaborate on why tone indicators are a meaningful thing.

First off, I'm Autistic myself. I am open about this, so this is something I personally struggle with. The inability to understand tone is nothing minor. I have lost friendships, jobs, been told to kill myself, and had so many other struggles due to my inability to get tone resulting in severe misunderstandings. On the internet, it's even harder, especially in places like Twitter where everyone is just supposed to automatically understand nuance at a fast pace. So many arguments on social media are caused by incorrect understanding of the tone of a person's post. Tone indicators are a relatively easy way to make a post more accessible to more people. No one expects you to use them in personal conversations, but if you're making general posts to a large audience, it's best to make sure they're clear. Emojis can have different meanings for different people, especially in differing cultures and languages.

As for jokes, I honestly don't find that it makes the joke unfunny. Heck, if you want a good workaround for it, make the joke a thread, where the joke itself is the main post, with the tone indicator as a reply. That way, the joke remains enjoyable for everyone. I can't speak for others, but if I see a joke that is also a thread, I will expand the thread in hopes of finding more context, to make sure it was indeed a joke.

 

[maruberry]

"Why should I create a minor inconvenience for myself, just so others don't have minor inconveniences???"

What is a "minor inconvenience" to you, is a big deal to neurodivergent people, like me. You see, one tone indicator tag that seems like a problem to you can mean the world to us. Neurodivergent people may sometimes have problems deciphering what messages mean, and not being able to understand can be very troubling and a big deal to us. Please educate yourself about this. It's a big deal to us and invalidating that is not cool. It is just common courtesy, adding a tone indicator should not be that big of a deal. Its the least that neurotypical people can do.

I would agree, if the /s would just be that.... adding 2 more characters to the end of a post.
It would be absurd to not want to use it.

The thing is.... like I said, it's like saying, This was a joke btw, at the end of a joke. It makes it unfunny
It defeats the purpose of MAKING a joke.

For me to add it to the end, is like making a joke and then making it unfunny just so people wouldn't think I was being serious.

 

[gongchan]

I would agree, if the /s would just be that.... adding 2 more characters to the end of a post.
It would be absurd to not want to use it.

The thing is.... like I said, it's like saying, This was a joke btw, at the end of a joke. It makes it unfunny
It defeats the purpose of MAKING a joke.

For me to add it to the end, is like making a joke and then making it unfunny just so people wouldn't think I was being serious.

I get that, but neurodivergent people don't see it that way. To us, its like enabling us to laugh at the joke because we then know that it is a joke. If that makes sense.

 

[maruberry]

After breathing for a few minutes, I figured I'd elaborate on why tone indicators are a meaningful thing.

First off, I'm Autistic myself. I am open about this, so this is something I personally struggle with. The inability to understand tone is nothing minor. I have lost friendships, jobs, been told to kill myself, and had so many other struggles due to my inability to get tone resulting in severe misunderstandings. On the internet, it's even harder, especially in places like Twitter where everyone is just supposed to automatically understand nuance at a fast pace. So many arguments on social media are caused by incorrect understanding of the tone of a person's post. Tone indicators are a relatively easy way to make a post more accessible to more people. No one expects you to use them in personal conversations, but if you're making general posts to a large audience, it's best to make sure they're clear. Emojis can have different meanings for different people, especially in differing cultures and languages.

As for jokes, I honestly don't find that it makes the joke unfunny. Heck, if you want a good workaround for it, make the joke a thread, where the joke itself is the main post, with the tone indicator as a reply. That way, the joke remains enjoyable for everyone. I can't speak for others, but if I see a joke that is also a thread, I will expand the thread in hopes of finding more context, to make sure it was indeed a joke.

Here is also where it comes in about talking to people one on one. I think when talking with others one on one you shouldn't make jokes you don't think others will get. You should be more careful so to say like I mentioned before.

Also can't you normally ask the other person if they are joking if you aren't sure or not?

I get that, but neurodivergent people don't see it that way. To us, its like enabling us to laugh at the joke because we then know that it is a joke. If that makes sense.

But from my point of view, enabling you to laugh at it, makes it so I don't find it funny.
I get now bit more why it's a dilemma, I see your side more and get why it would mean a lot more to you.

but that is still the thing.... If I don't find it funny any more, I won't want to post it, if you get what I mean.

 

[LeeHoseok]

Here is also where it comes in about talking to people one on one. I think when talking with others one on one you shouldn't make jokes you don't think others will get. You should be more careful so to say like I mentioned before.

Also can't you normally ask the other person if they are joking if you aren't sure or not.

Have you ever asked someone if something was a joke, only for them to treat you like an absolute moron for not getting it? Because that happens A LOT on the internet, and it can be really detrimental to neurodivergent folks to continually be treated like they're the dumbest people on the planet for not getting a simple joke. A lot of us just don't bother asking anymore. It also depending on the context, a user's follower count, whether or not the person who made the joke has muted their content or restricted replies...

 

[maruberry]

Have you ever asked someone if something was a joke, only for them to treat you like an absolute moron for not getting it? Because that happens A LOT on the internet, and it can be really detrimental to neurodivergent folks to continually be treated like they're the dumbest people on the planet for not getting a simple joke. A lot of us just don't bother asking anymore. It also depending on the context, a user's follower count, whether or not the person who made the joke has muted their content or restricted replies...

But.... I don't see how /s changes that. It isn't going to stop people who will think neurodivergent people are stupid for not getting a joke from thinking you are stupid. They just won't figure out you are one. Which I mean ig does keep the awkward convo from happening... but then again, the people who would make fun of you for not getting a joke, don't seem like the type of people to add the /s either or care about you getting it or not.

 

[VillageIdiot]

If you don't wanna think about others, don't
If others want to, let them🤷🏾‍♀️

 

[gongchan]

Here is also where it comes in about talking to people one on one. I think when talking with others one on one you shouldn't make jokes you don't think others will get. You should be more careful so to say like I mentioned before.

Also can't you normally ask the other person if they are joking if you aren't sure or not?


But from my point of view, enabling you to laugh at it, makes it so I don't find it funny.
I get now bit more why it's a dilemma, I see your side more and get why it would mean a lot more to you.

but that is still the thing.... If I don't find it funny any more, I won't want to post it, if you get what I mean.

I guess. But I find neurodivergent people being comfortable and understanding far more important. Sorry if thats biased, but really, its just common courtesy.

 

[maruberry]

If you don't wanna think about others, don't
If others want to, let them🤷🏾‍♀️

I mean I get that, this post was triggered by another person getting mad at me for not using it.
I won't go up to smbdy using it and say HEY I THINK THIS MAKES YOU AND THIS POST UNFUNNY!!!! STOP USING IT!!!! the same I won't go up to anybody who I don't know like that

 

[maruberry]

I guess. But I find neurodivergent people being comfortable and understanding far more important. Sorry if thats biased, but really, its just common courtesy.

I'm not going to blame you for being biased, bcs it isn't as if I am not, purely bcs of the experiences I have had.
I think everybody should put they themselves being comfortable and happy above others.

I understand why somebody who has struggle understanding jokes without it would want people to use it.

 

[mysteric]

I’m not even neurodivergent but I tend to misread tone really easily so it really helps ^^
esp with people who have senses of humour that are ;-; it really makes it easier to filter out

 

[VillageIdiot]

I mean I get that, this post was triggered by another person getting mad at me for not using it.
I won't go up to smbdy using it and say HEY I THINK THIS MAKES YOU AND THIS POST UNFUNNY!!!! STOP USING IT!!!! the same I won't go up to anybody who I don't know like that

Ah the "you're ableist for not doing this" argument
In general people need to stop being so aggressive about that stuff, fonts and pronouns in bio. Not everyone knows everything all the time

 

[mysteric]

After breathing for a few minutes, I figured I'd elaborate on why tone indicators are a meaningful thing.

First off, I'm Autistic myself. I am open about this, so this is something I personally struggle with. The inability to understand tone is nothing minor. I have lost friendships, jobs, been told to kill myself, and had so many other struggles due to my inability to get tone resulting in severe misunderstandings. On the internet, it's even harder, especially in places like Twitter where everyone is just supposed to automatically understand nuance at a fast pace. So many arguments on social media are caused by incorrect understanding of the tone of a person's post. Tone indicators are a relatively easy way to make a post more accessible to more people. No one expects you to use them in personal conversations, but if you're making general posts to a large audience, it's best to make sure they're clear. Emojis can have different meanings for different people, especially in differing cultures and languages.

As for jokes, I honestly don't find that it makes the joke unfunny. Heck, if you want a good workaround for it, make the joke a thread, where the joke itself is the main post, with the tone indicator as a reply. That way, the joke remains enjoyable for everyone. I can't speak for others, but if I see a joke that is also a thread, I will expand the thread in hopes of finding more context, to make sure it was indeed a joke.

most jokes that need a /j tend to be unfunny anyways

 

[maruberry]

Ah the "you're ableist for not doing this" argument
In general people need to stop being so aggressive about that stuff, fonts and pronouns in bio. Not everyone knows everything all the time

Ppl telling me to put pro-nouns in bio I dislike 100%, bcs random ppl on the internet do NOT need to know my gender
If smbdy has it in their bio, use them, bcs they obv care about it

But.... random ppl don't NEED to know my gender

 

[LeeHoseok]

Ah the "you're ableist for not doing this" argument
In general people need to stop being so aggressive about that stuff, fonts and pronouns in bio. Not everyone knows everything all the time

While I'm not about to call someone ableist for not using tone indicators, I will point out it is highly ableist to have a, "This doesn't impact me, so why should I have to?" attitude. It requires almost no effort to use tone indicators, so if it helps a significant number of people understand you better, why not? People with disabilities have to fight to be included and just to live normally because so many people who don't struggle have such a self-absorbed, "This doesn't help me, so I'm not going to bother" attitude.

Anyone like that can kindly go eff themselves. If a simple action can change someone else's life for the better, why the hell can't people just do it? Why does there have to be something in it for you?