The Crying Face Emoji Tops 2025, But Skiers Know the Real Tears

The Year of the Crying Face

According to Google usage data reported by The New York Times, the 😭 (loudly crying face) emoji officially overtook 😂 (tears of joy) and 🤣 (rolling on the floor laughing) in 2025 to become the most-used emoji worldwide. It's now deployed for everything from laughing so hard you can't breathe to sheer embarrassment or overwhelming excitement.

For skiers, this hits close to home. Think about it: when you finally conquer that double black diamond or catch first chair after a powder dump, what do you text your crew? The crying face. It says, "I'm so stoked I could weep." And when you stack it in front of the lift line, well, that's a different kind of crying face—but the same emoji works.

Why Young Skiers Ditch the Laugh-Cry

Linguists say the shift is driven by younger generations. Gen Z and Alpha (roughly ages 15–30) think the old laughing-cry emoji is overused, a relic of their parents' group chats. Older skiers, stuck in their ways, still fire off 😂 when they hear about a buddy's epic wipeout.

Instead, young skiers are reaching for 🔥 (fire) to describe a blazing run, and 🙏 (folded hands) to say "thank you" for a perfect groomer. They're also reviving obscure emoji like 🥀 (wilted flower) to express that post-season slump or 🗿 (moai) for the blank stare you give when someone asks if you're "ready for the bunny hill."

There's even a K-pop-inspired 🫰 (finger heart) and the newer 🫩 (eye bags) for those 5 AM wake-up calls to catch the gondola. But here's the catch: as soon as your parents start using these, the young crowd abandons them and finds something new. It's a never-ending arms race of digital expression.

Emoji as Ski Culture's Secret Language

In text-heavy communication, emoji serve as the body language we lack. For skiers, they're a lifeline. A quick 🏔️⛷️❄️ can sum up a whole weekend. Researchers note that teenagers and young women often lead linguistic innovation, and the same goes for emoji trends. For them, emoji aren't just emotional supplements—they're identity markers. Using the right emoji signals you're part of the in-crowd, whether that's the park rats or the backcountry crew.

So when you see a ski partner post a photo of their new gear with a 😭, they're not crying because they spent too much—well, maybe a little—but they're also saying, "This is my tribe."

The Politics of Tech and the Slopes

While emoji trends are lighthearted, the tech world behind skiing is getting serious. The US State Department is reportedly drafting letters to 35 partner nations, demanding they pick a side in the AI race between Washington and Beijing. This could affect everything from chip supplies to the development of smart ski gear.

For skiers, this matters because AI is creeping into avalanche forecasting, smart goggles, and even ski resort operations. If AI development gets fractured along geopolitical lines, we might see different standards for safety tech in different regions. That's a headache no one wants when you're standing at the top of a couloir.

Meanwhile, Apple is testing memory chips from Chinese manufacturers like CXMT and YMTC to cut costs. The Trump administration has pushed back, warning against using Chinese storage in products sold in the US. For skiers, this could mean higher prices for iPhones and GoPros used to capture those sick runs—or supply chain delays that mess with release dates.

ChatGPT's New Memory Feature: A Ski Buddy in Your Pocket

On a more practical note, OpenAI just launched a feature called "Computer History" for macOS. It records your clicks, keystrokes, and app switches—no screenshots or audio—to build a timeline that ChatGPT can read. You can ask it to find that spreadsheet you were working on before you got distracted by, say, planning your next ski trip.

This could be a game-changer for ski trip planning. Imagine telling ChatGPT, "Help me pick a resort with the most snowfall in March," and it remembers you've already looked at flight prices and gear reviews. It might even draft an itinerary based on your past preferences. Of course, it's opt-in, and OpenAI promises to delete raw data after 48 hours. But it's a peek at how AI could become a more intuitive assistant for outdoor enthusiasts.

uBlock Origin vs. Facebook: A Battle Skiers Can Relate To

In other news, the open-source ad blocker uBlock Origin has stopped maintaining filters for Facebook ads. The team says Facebook keeps changing its code to dodge blockers, making it impossible for volunteers to keep up. For skiers, this means more annoying ads for gear they don't need—or maybe just more reasons to stick to Firefox.

It's a reminder that even the most dedicated communities can hit their limits. Just like when your local ski patrol can't keep up with the crowds, sometimes you have to step back and let the pros handle it.

Sony's Shift to Entertainment: What It Means for Ski Madness

Sony is doubling down on entertainment, with movies, music, and games now making up over two-thirds of its revenue. CEO Hiroki Totoki says the future is in IP and content, not just hardware. For skiers, this could mean more immersive ski games and maybe even a film adaptation of your favorite ski documentary.

But there's a catch: the PS6 is reportedly delayed due to component shortages, partly caused by AI demand. So while you're waiting to shred virtual slopes in 8K, you might have to stick with your PS5 a little longer. Totoki also thinks AI won't replace human creativity—good news for ski filmmakers who pour their hearts into those edits.

Final Thoughts: Emoji, Tech, and the Ski Life

So there you have it: the crying face is now the king of emoji, and it's a perfect fit for the ski community. Whether you're shedding tears of joy after a perfect run or tears of frustration when the lift breaks down, 😭 says it all.

As tech evolves—from AI assistants to chip politics—skiers will adapt, just like we always do. We'll find new ways to express ourselves, plan trips, and capture the stoke. And when the next emoji trend comes along, we'll be ready to embrace it, as long as it's not the overused laugh-cry.