Quitting My Addiction: How I Got Over My "!" Obsession

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lisa!
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a participant's self-identified addiction to using exclamation marks ("!") in their writing. Participants explore the reasons behind this usage, share personal experiences, and suggest potential strategies for reducing or managing this habit. The conversation includes reflections on writing style, communication effectiveness, and the social dynamics of online interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their history of using "!" excessively and expresses a desire to quit, seeking advice from others.
  • Another participant notes their own similar usage of "!" for emphasis, indicating a shared experience.
  • Suggestions are made about using the "edit" button or changing "!" to periods to manage usage, though some participants express reluctance to change their writing habits.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for sarcasm and confusion when "!" is used arbitrarily, with some arguing it diminishes the impact of genuine emphasis.
  • Participants discuss the social implications of using "!" and how it can affect perceptions of tone and intent in communication.
  • There is a suggestion that sarcasm might be better conveyed with periods and specific smileys rather than exclamation marks.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the need to change writing styles based on others' opinions, while others acknowledge the challenges of excessive "!" usage.
  • One participant reflects on the complexity of their reasons for using "!" and the difficulty in articulating these to others.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the appropriateness and impact of using "!" in writing. While some agree on the potential drawbacks of excessive usage, others defend their right to use it as part of their style. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to managing this habit.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various personal motivations and social dynamics influencing their use of "!" but do not reach a consensus on the effectiveness of proposed strategies for reducing its usage. There are also differing opinions on the interpretation of tone and intent when "!" is used.

  • #31
Lisa! said:
By the way, has my explanations helped you to understand why I use ! a lot or not?
Nope, that's why loseyourname is still asking questions trying to figure out what you mean.
 
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  • #32
Moonbear said:
Nope, that's why loseyourname is still asking questions trying to figure out what you mean.
You're talking baout yourself or him? :biggrin: Sure I don't expect you to understand the reason of using them in every case(and of curse I wouldn't let you :devil: ), but I meant whether my explanations have helped at all?
 
  • #33
Lisa! said:
I wish I could! :rolleyes: You know my voice is sarcastic, but some people can't understand it and take it serious. I mean some people think I really agree with some stupid comments. They think I agree with them because they agree with them themselves not because I look stupid.
By the way, has my explanations helped you to understand why I use ! a lot or not?
For example why I used ! at "The lack of Danger" thread?
this is exactly why PF needs a voice conversation feature.
 
  • #34
yomamma said:
this is exactly why PF needs a voice conversation feature.
Do you think we can hear anything when lots of people are talking or shouting at each other?
 
  • #35
what I mean is like a chat room with a voice feature, for people who are smart enough to have a mic for their PC. and then we can have video conversation!
 
  • #36
yomamma said:
what I mean is like a chat room with a voice feature, for people who are smart enough to have a mic for their PC. and then we can have video conversation!
Smart enough?
 
  • #37
Lisa! said:
I wish I could! :rolleyes: You know my voice is sarcastic, but some people can't understand it and take it serious.

There are people that take you seriously?

By the way, has my explanations helped you to understand why I use ! a lot or not? For example why I used ! at "The lack of Danger" thread?

I'm still not too sure. You began by saying you started to use them as part of some inside-joke thingy or what not, and then became addicted. Now you're saying that it is an extension of your natural sarcasm. Perhaps an attempt to ensure that people don't take what you say too seriously? Is that what you mean?
 
  • #38
loseyourname said:
There are people that take you seriously?
Yes, people who don't know me good enough.



I'm still not too sure. You began by saying you started to use them as part of some inside-joke thingy or what not, and then became addicted. Now you're saying that it is an extension of your natural sarcasm. Perhaps an attempt to ensure that people don't take what you say too seriously? Is that what you mean?[/QUOTE]
I admit that I use it sometimes as inside-joke thing but not in this site. In another site I always put ! instead of ".". But I told you why I said I got addicted to it.
I don't agree about all of what you said but well you can put it this way, because it could be true somehow.
 
  • #39
I think I'm starting to understand. Let me see if I can phrase this more clearly. I get the impression that at some in the past, when you were not using exclamation points at the end of every sentence, people became upset at certain things you said. You didn't mean any harm, but they were taking you too seriously, not realizing that you often spoke lightheartedly or even in jest. To remedy this, you began to use exclamation points at the end of your sentences to demonstrate that there should be no heavy weight attached to them. Is that about accurate?

Note: This does not necessarily have to have been taking place on the internet. It is entirely possible that you say sarcastic or lighthearted things in person as well, and people are often offended when they take it the wrong way.
 
  • #40
loseyourname said:
I think I'm starting to understand. Let me see if I can phrase this more clearly. I get the impression that at some in the past, when you were not using exclamation points at the end of every sentence, people became upset at certain things you said. You didn't mean any harm, but they were taking you too seriously, not realizing that you often spoke lightheartedly or even in jest. To remedy this, you began to use exclamation points at the end of your sentences to demonstrate that there should be no heavy weight attached to them. Is that about accurate?

Note: This does not necessarily have to have been taking place on the internet. It is entirely possible that you say sarcastic or lighthearted things in person as well, and people are often offended when they take it the wrong way.
Well done. You get one of my main points. I mean I explained other cases which don't apply to what you said. :smile:
 
  • #41
If you're going to have to deal with this addiction to ! for your entire life, you need a mentor to help you!

I'd recommend Dayle Record! While she doesn't have any particular fondness for !, she has raised the , to a level of art unattainable by even Charles Shulz, the master of artistic punctuation himself! Dayle has made, in spite of the, generally, gramatically inhibited community here, the , the penultimate, non-pareil, absolutely awsometastic, favorite punctuation mark, used by the majority, or at least the core, of PF addicts at least once, or twice, or maybe even three times or more, and sometimes even thirty-eight times in one post!, in almost all of the replies, ruminations, and brilliant thoughts disgorged, expelled, and spewed by their fast, and furiously flying, fingers. Long time members still recall, with a profound awe, at that, the time Dayle was able to use the , as a verb, noun, adjective, and adverb in a single sentence, a feat more remarkable in the fact that she didn't use the , as a punctuation mark even once!

Oh, no! MIH was wrong! There is an evil Bob!
 
  • #42
Careful - we may have to strip you of your Bob moniker.
 
  • #43
Math Is Hard said:
Careful - we may have to strip you of your Bob moniker.
Can't we just strip him? :devil:

Hey, Lisa! Look! I'm visible again! :biggrin:
 
  • #44
Moonbear said:
Can't we just strip him? :devil:
I like the way you think, sis. :wink: :devil:
 
  • #45
BobG, thanks because of ! :smile:


Hey Look Moonbear is visible again :bugeye: I was really tired of invisible Moonbear. :devil:


You're an o:) (did you like this idea? I use or :bugeye: instead of !
which one is better or :bugeye: ?)
 
  • #46
Math Is Hard said:
Moonbear said:
Can't we just strip him?

I like the way you think, sis.

:bugeye: Hmm, that just isn't quite right. Maybe :!) ? Wait, one of you knows how to use strange electronic devices. Hmm, I think Greg needs to add a couple new smilies. :smile:
 
  • #47
Lisa! said:
BobG, thanks because of ! :smile:


Hey Look Moonbear is visible again :bugeye: I was really tired of invisible Moonbear. :devil:


You're an o:) (did you like this idea? I use or :bugeye: instead of !
which one is better or :bugeye: ?)

Okay, okay, you can use exclamation points! :smile:
 
  • #48
! moonbear's visible! must...print...screen!
 
  • #49
Moonbear said:
Okay, okay, you can use exclamation points! :smile:
Good. I was afraid that you'd say it was a good idea. Then what would happen to my username? :cry:

Lisa or Lisa :bugeye: (I prefer Lisa :devil: )
 
  • #50
Don't worry, Lisa! I think I'm developing an addiction to the semicolon; It's more than a comma but not quite a period; It really keeps things flowing. :!)
I say embrace your eccentricity; I don't want to be alone!
 
  • #51
honestrosewater said:
Don't worry, Lisa! I think I'm developing an addiction to the semicolon; It's more than a comma but not quite a period; It really keeps things flowing. :!)
I say embrace your eccentricity; I don't want to be alone!
Is there any relation btw age and these addictions!? :wink:
 
  • #52
Lisa! said:
Is there any relation btw age and these addictions!? :wink:
I'll have to consult my Magic 8-Ball... YES![/color] Well, that settles that.
 
  • #53
honestrosewater said:
I'll have to consult my Magic 8-Ball... YES![/color] Well, that settles that.

I recently noticed a Magic 8-ball on my lab head's desk. His secretary got it for him to help with those "important" administrative decisions. :smile:
 

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