[maxerickson]

Yes, my point is that a transcription service or screen reader will be well served by having a database containing symbol sequences like "¯\_(ツ)_/¯".

And transcription services should certainly recognize "¯_(ツ)_/¯" as a failed attempt at "¯\_(ツ)_/¯". Screen readers probably should too.

If they are sticking to whatever Unicode blesses they aren't serving their users well.

Also, I read provost as talking about the art in general, including a correct shrug, so I replied in that context instead of spending time on the missing \.