BASH the Blog: Sociological underpinnings of the Meanieface >:<

BASH Natural Science Article
Dr. Peddigrew Moulton III; Semotician, Department of Sociology, York Univ., Toronto

Whilst doing basic research for my best-selling post-doctorate thesis "Sacred Self-pleasuring Ceremonies amongst the Koori Tribes of Australia", or as it's become known in the lay community, "One Hand washes the other", I came across an interesting sociological phenomenon.

One evening, while playing on a Call of Duty server back in 2006, I began to notice a distinct ancient symbol being displayed in player's nicknames.

It was the Meanieface: > : <

This symbol is ancient and can be seen painted on heroic warriors stretching back to the beginning of time. It's purpose was to strike fear in the heart of their enemy and simultaneously hearten their comrades.

I had not come across the symbol in recent emoticon literature; interestingly, the last public sighting of this symbol was back in 1938, hand scrawled on a poster of Benito Mussolini in Rome's Piazza di Spagna by a graffiti artist.

Clearly, witnessing the symbol's return was a shocking event for me as it signals a possible return of violent and regressive behavior in society. The uptick in violence around the world and the near constant talk of war these last few years have certainly contributed to the return of this symbol.

This is why I thought I would alert the readers of BASH to it's return and to warn of the slippery slope that might be ahead of us. If history teaches us anything it is that life is a cycle and we are simply going through a phase. Hopefully, we can pass through this quickly. Indeed witness a picture of Mussolini only five years after the one taken above: