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Original poster

Why are so many of you against a "like" option?

94 replies

MsAmerica · 12/05/2021 02:11

It's always seemed pleasant and harmless to me, so I'm puzzled why some of you are so vehemently against it.

It's also a nice option if you really don't have anything to add, but want to signal that you appreciate the post.

OP posts:
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Sparklingbrook · 31/05/2021 05:15

I've not read any convincing arguments for a Like/Dislike button TBH.

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/05/2021 00:44

I still haven't heard any convincing arguments against a "like."

'I don't want one' IS a convincing argument. It's like ice cream flavours or holidays. I like MN how it is. I don't have to convince you to like it as it is. I hate Reddit. No one has to convince it's good. Because they like it it's good for them. It's emotivism and that's philosophy so I'm obviously clever and therefore right. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotivism

Original poster
MsAmerica · 30/05/2021 23:37

@Giantrooster

Op hasn't got much to say on the subject Hmm.
It's not that I haven't much to say, nor that, as Sparkling Brook suggested, and I'm a one-post person, but is IS true that MN format discourages me from reading long threads.

But this was mostly to ask what others thought, and I still haven't heard any convincing arguments against a "like."

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 24/05/2021 06:33

Of course @BIWI doesn’t mean that. But if the lack of a Like button (or any other function) is a dealbreaker then other sites are available...

Original poster
MsAmerica · 23/05/2021 23:50

@BIWI

If you don't like MN it's not compulsory!
Sorry, are you saying that to participate in a forum, one is required to love every single thing about it? And otherwise one should just shut up and leave?
OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 21/05/2021 17:52

True @Sparklingbrook

MarshaBradyo · 21/05/2021 17:43

No thanks

Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2021 17:41

The 'trending' thing was a bit ridiculous. 'Most Active' was an accurate description, so not sure what that was all about. Grin

If I am absolutely honest I think there will be a Like (and Dislike) button in the not too distant future. And probably a load of other changes that some will think are great/some won't. But nobody is on here against their will so decisions can be made.

WorraLiberty · 21/05/2021 17:37

I'm all for a like button and always have been.

I do think there is some truth in that a lot of MNetters don't like change but I wouldn't say they're scared of it.

I still remember some of the hissy fits over the 'trending' bit when it was new 😁

Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2021 17:34

Huge lol at 'scared of change'. It's an internet forum-nothing to be scared of. I am all for change if I think it will be beneficial and an improvement, but IMO a Like button would be neither.

I don't have FB or use Reddit. Confused I am sure a lot of people like MN because it's not the same as every other site. I agree with you @MrsTerryPratchett.

MNHQ
soniamumsnet · 21/05/2021 15:49

Thanks for all the suggestions and thoughts. Flowers

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/05/2021 15:36

People just make up excuses because they're scared of change.

When I like something I don't want it to change. Isn't that a perfectly reasonable position. 'Scared' Hmm

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 21/05/2021 15:31

That's nonsense. Facebook and Reddit both have likes/upvoting and nested replies, but nobody says oh I'm on Reddit so I won't use Facebook. They're completely different, as is Mumsnet.

The voting buttons haven't killed discussion or killed the forum. Neither would a like option. People just make up excuses because they're scared of change.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/05/2021 14:48

Truth is, people just don't like change.

And since about a zillion people are here, it's working. If people like reddit, go to reddit.

It's like people that go to Spain and demand fish and chips. If you make everywhere the same there's nowhere for people who like difference.

Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2021 14:09

I think the voting in AIBU is pointless TBF. And when it’s used for a poll even more so.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 21/05/2021 13:54

@Susannahmoody

People will post less. They'll just react instead. Not a conversation starter/continuer
That's exactly what people said about the voting buttons.

Truth is, people just don't like change.

Giantrooster · 21/05/2021 12:20

@BIWI

If you don't like MN it's not compulsory!

You could have told this sooner Grin.

BIWI · 21/05/2021 08:38

If you don't like MN it's not compulsory!

Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2021 05:41

I haven’t read anything on this thread to convince me a Like/Dislike button would be a good thing.

Thank goodness for the Hmm button.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 21/05/2021 02:00

I say no to like/dislike buttons.

I say yes to 🤣 & 🙄 buttons.

Original poster
MsAmerica · 21/05/2021 01:35

@NiceGerbil

Because MN is all about talking, sharing, debating, arguing.

I could give your post a thumbs down if it was available. And you wouldn't know why. So that's a bit rubbish isn't it.

I disagree, which is one of my problems with Mumsnet. I think the format is not one conducive to debating at all, and I see little of it here.

But I'm still not seeing anything convincing me that "likes" are bad. I don't find there's anything about it cutting down on posting, and would love it if there's anything showing that's true. If I have nothing to add, not being able to "like" doesn't make me post. And while it's true that a don't-like doesn't give you a clue about the problem, my question is just about the like option. Either way, it's not "rubbish." Forums often have a like without a don't-like.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 15/05/2021 19:33

@WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo

One of the things I like most about Mumsnet (other than the intelligent and witty posts) is the fact that is isn't like all the other sites. So no like/dislike buttons. Or up/down votes. No nesting quotes with long chunks of quotes within quotes. Although I do find it annoying when someone says "yes. I agree with poster" because then I have to scroll back and see what they agree with. Just quote/copy and paste the relevant passage (and make it bold* or italics so we know it's a quote.)

*Yes I know I don't have to. But I like to know what people are agreeing with.

That's how I feel. I don't know why it has to be an identikit copy of every other site on the internet just because.

It seems every newbie has started a thread asking where the Like button is. Grin

Quietlyloud · 15/05/2021 19:04

Oh for sure Reddit isn’t for everyone and certainly every section isn’t for me, but I just wanted to use it as an example of somewhere also large with the ability to “like” or “agree” and conversation still flows.

WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo · 15/05/2021 18:46

One of the things I like most about Mumsnet (other than the intelligent and witty posts) is the fact that is isn't like all the other sites. So no like/dislike buttons. Or up/down votes. No nesting quotes with long chunks of quotes within quotes.
Although I do find it annoying when someone says "yes. I agree with poster" because then I have to scroll back and see what they agree with. Just quote/copy and paste the relevant passage (and make it bold* or italics so we know it's a quote.)

*Yes I know I don't have to. But I like to know what people are agreeing with.

Sparklingbrook · 15/05/2021 18:44

@Quietlyloud

No it doesn’t stop people seeing your post. You will be lower down as far as I’m aware and I’m a regular user.
Reddit is just not for me, but it has lots of users so they must be doing something right. Tattle is another one but that's completely bonkers from what I've seen. I don't have FB or Twitter, begrudgingly have Instagram. I like MN as it is, so if Like/Dislike buttons appear I'll have a choice to make I guess. It will be a shame if it ends up like the Daily Mail comments section though.
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