Network Working Group L. Painter
Request for Comments: PSDP-0002 March 2026
Category: Informational
Plastic Spoons Symbol Encoding (PSSE)
Status of This Memo
This document provides information for the Internet community.
It does not specify an Internet standard of any kind.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
This document defines the Plastic Spoons Symbol Encoding (PSSE), a visual extension to the Plastic Spoons Detection Protocol (PSDP) described in RFC-PSDP-0001.
PSSE introduces a symbolic warning representation for the detection of Disposable Opinion Artifacts (DOAs), along with optional animated reaction formats suitable for digital communication environments.
The symbol defined herein is intended to provide a compact, repeatable, and recognizable visual shorthand for Plastic Spoons detection events.
RFC-PSDP-0001 defined the Plastic Spoons Detection Protocol as a phrase-based signaling mechanism for the identification of low-value, disposable online discourse.
This document extends that protocol by defining a visual encoding that allows participants to signal the same condition using a warning symbol and associated reaction imagery.
The goal of the Plastic Spoons Symbol Encoding is to establish a standardized iconographic form capable of functioning across stickers, graphics, GIFs, posters, and other communication formats.
PSSE
Plastic Spoons Symbol Encoding, the visual representation standard
defined in this document.
Warning Symbol
The triangular hazard sign containing the spoon-based exclamation mark
defined in Section 3.
Animated Detection Object (ADO)
A looped visual artifact, typically GIF-based, indicating Plastic
Spoons detection.
Protocol-Compatible Symbol
Any symbol conforming to the structure specified in this document and
usable in conjunction with PSDP.
The canonical Plastic Spoons warning symbol SHALL consist of the following elements:
1. An equilateral warning triangle 2. A high-contrast hazard-yellow field 3. A black outer border 4. An internal spoon glyph positioned vertically 5. The spoon glyph SHALL replace the traditional exclamation mark
The spoon glyph MUST be oriented such that:
- the handle represents the vertical stroke of the exclamation mark - the bowl represents the terminal dot
This arrangement allows the symbol to retain the visual semantics of a warning sign while introducing Plastic Spoons-specific meaning.
The Plastic Spoons warning symbol is intended to convey the following combined semantics:
warning hazard disposable commentary detected attention contamination present
The symbol SHOULD be interpreted as equivalent to the phrase:
⚠ Plastic Spoons Detected
The warning triangle communicates caution. The spoon glyph communicates disposability. Combined, they indicate the presence of low-value online noise.
Implementations SHOULD use a hazard-yellow background approximating the following values:
Hex: #f0d11f RGB: 240, 209, 31
The border and spoon glyph SHOULD be rendered in solid black.
Gradients, highlights, shadows, and decorative rendering MAY be used for artistic purposes but are NOT RECOMMENDED for canonical protocol representations.
The preferred symbol style is flat, bold, and high-contrast.
The PSSE standard defines optional animated extensions known as Animated Detection Objects (ADOs).
These objects MAY include:
- flashing warning symbols - falling spoon animations - scrolling hazard text - looped "Plastic Spoons Detected" title cards
A conformant Animated Detection Object SHOULD meet the following conditions:
1. Duration SHOULD be between 2 and 4 seconds 2. Looping SHOULD be continuous 3. Text, if present, SHOULD be concise 4. Detection language SHOULD remain protocol-consistent
Recommended text payloads include:
Plastic Spoons Plastic Spoons Detected This Thread Is Plastic Spoons Another Plastic Spoon Too Many Plastic Spoons
A minimum conforming PSSE implementation MUST provide at least one of the following:
A. Static Warning Symbol B. Static text phrase: Plastic Spoons Detected C. Animated Detection Object
The preferred minimum implementation is the Static Warning Symbol as defined in Section 3.
Protocol-compatible symbols MAY be deployed in the following contexts:
- stickers - posters - GIF libraries - mug graphics - apparel - web badges - comment reaction assets - social media overlays
Deployments SHOULD preserve recognizability at small sizes.
Symbol implementations intended for physical stickers SHOULD include a white cut border to accommodate die-cut or kiss-cut production methods.
Use of the PSSE symbol does not guarantee reduction in Disposable Opinion Artifact volume.
Repeated misuse of the symbol as bait, irony inversion, or recursive argument fuel MAY weaken its signaling efficiency.
Participants SHOULD deploy the symbol sparingly and in accordance with the disengagement principles established in RFC-PSDP-0001.
The Plastic Spoons warning symbol is intended to operate as both a reaction mechanism and a cultural shorthand.
Overuse MAY reduce impact. Appropriate use MAY contribute to the normalization of Plastic Spoons as a phrase signifying disposable internet noise.
The symbol is therefore best understood not as branding alone, but as a language object.
This document requires no IANA actions.
The PSSE symbol derives conceptually from standardized warning signage, combining the visual grammar of hazard communication with the Plastic Spoons metaphor defined in RFC-PSDP-0001.
Lee Painter Independent Musician / Software Engineer Project: Plastic Spoons https://plasticspoons.io
Shape: triangle Field color: hazard yellow Border: black Interior glyph: vertical spoon replacing exclamation mark Meaning: warning - disposable commentary detected
⚠ Plastic Spoons Detected Disposable opinions. Proceed with caution. This thread is Plastic Spoons.
RFC-PSDP-0001 Plastic Spoons Detection Protocol RFC-PSDP-0002 Plastic Spoons Symbol Encoding