| Cheesy but surprisingly effective at work |
| | Note: Sophie Downes, assistant editor at Inc., is stepping in for Cameron while he is away from the computer today.
Good morning,
Luke Thomas, the founder of software startup Friday, needed a better way to gauge employees’ moods. It’s not just that he wants to be a sensitive boss--his company’s app helps supervisors manage remote employees with quick questionnaires about their progress and goals. He turned to a somewhat surprising tool: emojis, the 3,304 colorful, nonalphanumeric symbols cataloged by the Unicode Consortium. Today, the “emoji question” is the most popular query among thousands of employees who use the Friday app at organizations from LinkedIn to the Tampa Airport. Emoji responses might seem cheesy, Thomas says, but they’re a fast, powerful way for employees to tell their managers how they’re feeling.
Marcel Danesi, professor of semiotics and linguistic anthropology at the University of Toronto and the author of The Semiotics of Emoji, agrees. Emojis serve as an “informal visual dialogue,” he says, affirming that people are human and mean well. And neuroscientists have found that emojis activate both verbal and nonverbal parts of the brain, indicating that they enrich communication in ways normal letters and numbers can't. That might explain the little symbols’ endurance--they date back to 1999--and their ubiquity.
To be sure, emojis can also lead to misunderstandings, and can be inappropriate in business contexts. (Hint: Don’t use crying-laughing faces in client emails.) But for many companies, they’re helping streamline communication and adding a bit of levity to the (remote) work day.
Read our story to learn more about how emojis became part of everyday work, and why 2020 might be the biggest year yet for the humble smiley face. |
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Sickr posted: " Last week saw the huge sales bonanza which is Black Friday and of course plenty of games were shifted. One of the big winners of the week was the Nintendo Switch with Switch game sales up 33% compared to the previous week. Games Industry reports that" Last week saw the huge sales bonanza which is Black Friday and of course plenty of games were shifted. One of the big winners of the week was the Nintendo Switch with Switch game sales up 33% compared to the previous week. Games Industry reports that Switch games accounted for over 38% of all boxed […] Read more of this post
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Sickr posted: " Fortnite fans, rejoice! (And while you're at it, show off your best emotes!) Starting now, a special Fortnite Nintendo Switch bundle will be available to purchase at select retailers at a suggested retail price of $299.99. The bundle represents a gre" Fortnite fans, rejoice! (And while you're at it, show off your best emotes!) Starting now, a special Fortnite Nintendo Switch bundle will be available to purchase at select retailers at a suggested retail price of $299.99. The bundle represents a great value, and includes a uniquely decorated Nintendo Switch system with special art on the system and Nintendo Switch dock, […] Read more of this post
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 | It's safe to think of Cyber Monday as a tech-centric extension of Black Friday. The deals are all online, and they focus heavily on categories like gaming, laptops, and TVs. Our expert product reviewers are searching high and low for the best deals on products they recommend. You can check out all of our Cyber Monday stories here. | | When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Much like subscribing to WIRED (50% off), these contributions help fund the journalism we produce every day. Read more about how this works. | | 👛 The best Cyber Monday deals under $50: This roundup is full of deals that won't break the bank. Many of our picks are much cheaper than $50. 🖱️ The absolute best Cyber Monday deals: Need a one-stop shop for the best discounts? We frequently update this story with the hottest deals we find on the products our reviewers highly recommend. 📼 TV and soundbar deals: Level up your home theater with discounts on OLEDs, projectors, and more. 🖥️ Laptop and PC deals: No matter your budget or spec requirements, these computer deals are worth checking out if you're in the market. 🍳 Smart home and kitchen deals: From robot vacuums to coffee makers, these gadgets will improve your space. 🚲 Fitness and outdoors deals: Whether you prefer running, camping, or weightlifting, we found good deals on supplies to help you stay in shape. 🍆 Self-care, beauty, and sexual wellness deals: These discounted products we love can help you feel better, both mentally and physically. 👀 More Cyber Monday deals coverage: mattress deals, video game deals, and headphone and speaker deals. 💌 Special offer: 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). You'll get unlimited access to WIRED.com, plus our print magazine, if you're interested. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. | |
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