Wow, I had no idea that the birth of the ubiquitous “smiley” emoticon had an actual date (and time): 11:44 a.m. (I presume, Eastern time) on September 9, 1982.

You can talk all you want about how Internet communications make for obscurity, but I don’t think a more trustworthy and helpful invention has come along during the modern technology age. It says, Nudge nudge wink wink! Just kidding! I come in peace! No Kill I! How can that not be a great thing?

If we could flash this symbol somewhere on our cars while driving, there would be a lot less rage in the world at large.