With those, we lost the visual input of body language and facial expression to convey meaning, and on this silly computer we've lost the tone, volume and pacing of our speech patterns.
It's no wonder that we can get into a tiff or have our nose seemingly tweaked by others when they no more intended that than anything.
Oh that is so true. I've been teaching my kids about non verbal communication since they learned verbal. I was amazed to learn and realize the truth that communication is 80 percent non-verbal. We don't even get tone here though, let alone body language. Just words and they always come off as harsh, arrogant and accusing when we don't intend it. emoticons help only a very very tiny bit.