When I was young, my mother often repeated, "The pendulum swings too far with people's ideals, and then we are left to correct over and over again."
I have observed this truth many times throughout both my life and career. So often, in fact, that I regular try to identify pendulum swings as opportunities to course correct and shift perspectives—whether in my personal life, within communities, or in my career. Recently, as I've begun to dig deep into the world of emoji as a universal communications language and how it can be applied to building new communication solutions, I identified a significant swing in the digital realm.
Emoji were initially designed to bridge the gap in digital communications, helping people convey emotions and meaning more effectively in the online world, especially through text, instant messaging, and other remote digital apps.
As we've successfully transitioned to working, playing, learning, and creating in the online world, a new problem has arisen - many people have lost touch with how to communicate effectively in real life (IRL).
Effective communication is a two-way exchange that enables both parties to gain a clear understanding and achieve desired outcomes. Breakdowns occur when interactions are unclear, misunderstood, or misinterpreted, leaving one or both parties feeling unheard or invalidated.
Communication challenges are not a recent phenomenon. As long as people have existed (and continue to do so), we will need help with our communication skills. This need arises from the rich diversity of human experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. In our now deeply connected world there's much to learn about each other.
Recent years have introduced additional factors that contribute to communication barriers, including political divisiveness, the global pandemic, educational divisions, social isolation, mental health issues, and various other challenges. Emojis can play a role in bridging these gaps in certain circumstances.
However, it's crucial not to assume that emojis can solve all communication problems. Such an assumption would cause the pendulum to swing too far in the opposite direction—a common mistake when addressing complex issues.
In navigating the ever-changing landscape of communication, we must strike a balance, recognizing that emoji are a valuable tool but not a panacea. By embracing the power of universal communication and understanding the nuances of human interaction, we can find a middle ground where effective communication thrives without swinging to extremes.
Cheers,
Chief Moji Muser and EmojiIRL™ Creator
#emojiexpression #emojiIRL #getyourmojion
