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Every symbol with a completely novel meaning must be meaningless. That's the definition of something new...
by loa_in_ 4y ago
Every symbol with a completely novel meaning must be meaningless. That's the definition of something new...
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- Etheryte 4y agoThat's not really true and the radiation sign is a good example of that. Even though it was a new symbol at the time, because it visually looked similar to the related phenomenon it was possible to find meaning in it without prior knowledge. Not necessarily the right one and that's a part of the point. If your icon looks visually similar to something else, people might incorrectly infer a different meaning.
- wizofaus 4y agoIt's hard to argue the radiation symbol inherently indicates danger though. That our seemingly natural reaction to it is "beware" can only be the result of learning the meaning of it. Unlike, say, signs showing "danger to cyclists" by literally depicting a cyclist flying off their bike (https://www.roadtrafficsigns.com/signs/cyclists-falling-on-streetcar-track-symbol/sku-k-9082 https://www.roadtrafficsigns.com/signs/cyclists-falling-on-s... - actually the only place I recall seeing signs like this was NZ).
- croes 4y agoFrom the proposed symbols in the picture down in the article, do you think the right most one would be considered meaningless?
- loa_in_ 4y agoIt's not in the set of symbols I know and I browse through unicode sometimes!
- croes 4y agoI didn't say it's not new but not without similarity to existing symbols.
- 0xffff2 4y agoYes, to the point that I am confused by the question. Could you explain why you (presumably) don't?
- croes 4y agoAdd one arm, what comes into your mind?
- marcellus23 4y agoThat’s a stretch.
- croes 4y agoSeems to be not a far one because you know what I mean.
- Dylan16807 4y agoIf you take a design with only a couple elements, and add a new one under someone's instructions, it's not hard to make it look like something else. It's definitely a stretch to say it already has a meaning. A circle with a line down the middle doesn't mean anything, but you can outline the bottom quarter slice and make it a peace sign. Or rotate it to make a no sign. Or take an equilateral triangle and overlap another rotated and it becomes a star of david.
- croes 4y ago> A circle with a line down the middle That's Phi
- Dylan16807 4y agoI guess, but that just strengthens my point that being a simple adjustment away from a simple symbol doesn't mean you inherit any of its meaning.