I never had MySpace as a kid – somehow I just skipped over that entire phase. But what I did have was MSN and I can confirm for the kids of today (who will sadly never get to experience MSN) that it was the greatest.
I wasn’t a cool 10-year-old, I’m open about that, but using MSN made me feel cool. Down with the cool kids, Us1inG @ll Th3 L!ngO, setting moody statuses when really I was watching my screen just waiting for a friend to nudge me.
The best part about MSN was undoubtedly the winks: the huge, moving emojis that would fill up the entire screen when you sent them to friends.
They were incredibly specific and conveyed very particular emotions. Stuff like ‘I dropped my ice cream cone and I’m sad about it.’
And, ‘I’m so angry I could smash an electric guitar against something’.
Or, ‘I’m ROFL-ing in real time’.
There was a wink for almost every greeting, mood, and quirk.
Winks were the perfect mode of communication, especially when you didn’t feel like talking to someone or wanted to be ~mysterious~ when talking to your crush. You could send them a cheeky kiss or the wink of a bad boi chucking a water balloon at the screen and make them wonder all day what the hell you were trying to tell them.
Sadly, winks died with MSN, so I’m starting a campaign to bring them back. Yes, I know we have GIFs now which are basically the same thing but with more comedic value. And yes, I know we have Facebook Messenger, and Instagram DMs and every kind of social media app now, so there’s no need for a platform like MSN anymore.
I get that. I hear you. I don’t care.
MSN winks need a resurgence. Mainly because I really want to be able to use this masterpiece again:
PSA: there’s an MSN username generator online and you’re very welcome.