For a certain demographic, I could see how the question "to be or not to be," would be a relevant one (the list including murderers and suicidal individuals alike). For the rest of us however, it would not be a question we'd ever have to wrestle with. Easy; to be, please and thank you! I would have to argue that the greater question plaguing mankind today is, to emoticon or not to emoticon? You know what I'm talking about, those textual emotions aiding in expressing our mood or tone without words (e.g. :) :'( :p , and so forth).
I admit, there are individuals who wouldn't wrestle with whether to emoticon or not. Those who readily and frequently add emoticons, and those who strongly oppose using any ever. I split them into two categories, those who own kitten posters that state, "You're pawfect just the way you are, " and those who don't.
For the majority of us, the inner battle wages on. Should a winking face be added to our text, so whoever reads it knows we're joking but risk looking like a 13 y/o girl who likes to dot her 'I's' with hearts, or, should it not be added, risking being misunderstood but coming away with our dignity and self respect intact?
I'm a fairly sarcastic person. Alright, a very sarcastic person, so there was no opinion on the matter, emoticons would have to become my fast friend. Over time I've become more comfortable using them, but from time to time, I'll run across an "emoticon hater" and suddenly feel ashamed, questioning myself "Who am I and what have I become?" Once my self indulgent meltdown was over, my heart would extend to the e-hater, questioning them, were you not hugged as a child?! Do you secretly wuv kitten posters, but aren't ready to face the water works once the door to your heart is opened?
Here are things to think about; emoticons show no partiality to race, language or gender. They help translate our intent with just a wink or a tongue extension. They are wonderful tools when used moderately and appropriately, but used too much and their purpose loses it's meaning. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility, so, emoticon responsibly!
Oh, and with the matter of Hamlet, Shakespeare could have lightened the mood up a whole lot with just a few emoticons. Doom and gloom, doom and gloom get's old pretty quick. ;-)
