when-you-find-perfect-words-for-your-emotions-online Internet Slang and Internet Memes

Internet Slang and Internet Memes

When You Find the Perfect Words for Your Emotions on the Internet

About this topic

The internet is full of slangs and memes that perfectly match subtle emotions difficult to express with conventional words. Terms like 'ぴえん' (sad face), 'エモい' (emo), '草生える' (lol), 'わかるみ' (I totally get it), '陰キャ' (introvert), '陽キャ' (extrovert) give names to inner states that were hard to verbalize and enable sharing. This question asks what happens when we find such 'perfect words.' The joy of emotions being verbalized, the sense of loneliness easing, yet also the discomfort of emotions being forced into 'molds' — exploring both sides reveals how net language is transforming our emotional experience.

Conceptual positions
01 Liberation and Empathy View

Internet slang is a liberating tool that names emotions hard to express with conventional words, eases loneliness, and generates empathy with others. 'ぴえん' and 'わかるみ' are the very joy of verbalization.

02 Molding View

Slang simplifies and standardizes emotions, causing loss of individual subtle nuances. Consolidating complex feelings into one word like 'ぴえん' risks diluting their original complexity.

03 Duality View

Internet slang both 'saves' and 'molds' emotions. Understanding this duality is important — don't rely too much on words; carefully savor your own emotions.

04 Evolution and Creation View

Every time new slang is born, the map of human emotions is updated. Words create emotions, and emotions demand words — this interaction drives the evolution of language and the heart.

Talk entry points

  1. Is there any slang or meme on the net that made you think 'This perfectly expresses my feelings!'? How did you feel then?

  2. When you encountered words like 'ぴえん' or 'エモい,' what emotions did you feel had been given a name?

  3. When you expressed your emotions using net words, did you feel they got through to the other person? Or did you feel they were 'forced into a mold'?

  4. If there were no slang, how do you think you would have expressed your emotions?

  5. Have you ever felt closeness toward someone using the same slang? Why do you think that was?

  6. Have you ever felt resistance or discomfort expressing emotions with net words?

Conceptual tensions
Liberation vsMolding
Slang liberates emotions while also forcing them into specific 'molds.' How to accept this duality.
Individuality vsShareability
One's emotions are originally individual, but using slang makes them easier to share with others. The balance of preserving individuality while sharing is questioned.
Temporary Relief vsSustained Understanding
Slang temporarily eases feelings but may not lead to fundamental understanding or resolution. How to view the relationship between temporality and sustainability.
Dependence on Words vsLiberation from Words
Over-reliance on slang may weaken the power to feel one's emotions without words. How to cultivate a sense that relies on words yet transcends them.
Breadth of Empathy vsShallowness of Empathy
Slang makes it easier to empathize with many people, but that empathy risks becoming superficial or temporary. The balance of depth and breadth is questioned.
Talk note

This topic neither affirms net slang as a 'convenient tool' nor denies it as a 'dangerous thing that molds emotions.' It is a dialogue to quietly savor together with the other person both the moments when words save emotions and the moments when words narrow them.

Glossary
Verbalization of Emotion
Giving a name to inner states that were hard to put into words, making them expressible. One important function of internet slang.
Perfect Fit / Resonance
Strong empathy and relief that arises when finding words that perfectly match one's emotions. The sense that 'there are people who understand.'
Standardization of Emotion
The possibility that slang forces emotions into 'molds,' losing individual subtle nuances. The pros and cons of emotions being consolidated into words like 'ぴえん.'
Easing of Loneliness
The effect of knowing others share the same emotion, reducing feelings of loneliness. A social function of internet slang.
Sharing of Emotion
The act of sharing one's inner self with others through words. On the net, it can be done quickly with short slang.
Emotional Templates / Molds
Slang fitting emotions into specific frameworks. Trade-off between ease of expression and dilution of individuality.
Talk prompts
Ice breaker

Is there any slang or meme on the net that made you think 'This perfectly expresses my feelings!'? How did you feel when you encountered that word?

Deep dive

If internet slang didn't exist at all, how do you think you would have expressed your important emotions?

Bridge

When the other person says 'ぴえん' or 'わかるみ,' try asking 'What kind of feeling were you trying to express with that word?' — inquiring into the emotion behind the words.

Further questions
  • If the word 'ぴえん' didn't exist, how do you think you would have expressed that emotion?
  • Have you ever experienced your actual feelings changing after expressing them with internet slang?
  • How do you cope when you feel slang is 'forcing you into a mold'?
  • Have you ever felt understanding that went beyond words in a conversation with someone using the same slang?
  • What do you think is lost by putting emotions into words too much?
  • When AI becomes able to perfectly verbalize emotions, how will human emotional experience change?