can we have a 'LIKE' button on every posters post??

[nightshade]

sometimes i don't wish to comment but want to acknowledge that i like a mumsnetter's post or response. i keep going to click the like button, as on facebook but inevitably find that it is not there!!

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Sometimes when I'm reading a post I simply don't want to commit the mental energy to composing a reply. But also want to acknowledge the poster's wit/contribution. What is so wrong with that? It hardly makes me inarticulate, given the drivel many posts I make all over the rest of the site.

[nightshade]

feelmywraith, i'm a nearly forty, professional mum of two, and i seem to fail miserably in the communication stakes when pitted against more assertive mumsnetters!

what's wrong with just wanting to like something???

[nightshade]

see, 'like' becauseimworthit again!!

[BecauseImWorthIt]

And I also think that 'oh no, it'll be tickers next' has just become a lazy, 'I want to be one of the gang' bandwagon phrases, along with people slagging off Fruit Shoots, Greggs sausage rolls and people who eat grapes in the supermarket.

There's an unpleasant 'cultural' snobbery here about how superior MN is to NM, and this is all part of it.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

@ nightshade

[nightshade]

btw, i was typing my response before i read yours, if i could like it, i wouldn't now sound like i had copied you!

[more self explanation and confusion required.]

and yes i know my brackets are in the wrong place next to the fullstop but i can't be arsed correcting it because i am now going out on the school run and will have to drive rather than walk becausse i am late, which all could have been solved if i just had a 'like' button.

[MarginallyNarkyPuffin]

Do we really want to reduce discussion to 'Like'. Comment or don't.

This isn't about tickers or little changes that make people very angry.

[EricNorthmansMistress]

Clicking 'like' is lazy and kills conversation. Opt-in 'like' buttons would be confusing and pointless. MNHQ - please don't introduce a 'like' button. Can we have another poll please?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Actually, what is lazy is not bothering to acknowledge a post/poster at all.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

'And I also think that 'oh no, it'll be tickers next' has just become a lazy, 'I want to be one of the gang' bandwagon phrases'

Bollocks, tickers are just shite wankey fuckwittige.

We will not be dragged into the 21st century, not even kicking and screaming, mn is civilized (ish).



'Dear irritatedofchelmsford, why yes I rather think you might be being just a teensy bit unreasonable, maybe you should remove the rolling pan from your spouse now......'

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

Self @ 'rolling pan', ouch.

[AnnetteProfit]

no you lazy fuckers

[nightshade]

'moronic, cunting, twatish, fuckers'.

can't see why a lazy 'like' button is so inflammatory!

[GetOrfMo1Land]

nightshade i wasn't calling you moronic, honest guv, just alluding to the moronic status updates on FB, you have got to admit people 'like' all sorts of shit over there

[KouklaMoo]

I think it's an awful idea - even if you only 'opt-in' or whatever - like a popularity contest. The thing I love about MN is that it is just straight chat.

[mistlethrush]

The thing is, a 'like button' doesn't actually involve you in the discussion in a postive way that properly involves you in the conversation. Depending on how its done, it doesn't even have to show which MNers have clicked the button. If you are not willing to put your name by a post which says 'I agree with you xxx', why bother. If you want to keep up wiht a conversation to see what happens later, put a watch on it.

Justine, I see no advantage to have an 'opt in' for a 'like' option. What happens if the poster doesn't want to be involved in a like or not option? Will their posts not have that option for the button clickers? Its not difficult to add a one or two liner clearly supporting a view point - it doesn't have to be witty.

[SunnilyEnough]

"Clicking 'like' is lazy and kills conversation."

I don't agree. I quite often read through threads and certain posts make me smile or laugh and I'd just like to acknowledge the poster without having to type anything. I have a hatred of the smileys - they're childish (and horribly designed).

I only bother to actually type something if I really want to get involved with the conversation - and then a like button wouldn't stop me doing that.

People here don't like change, and they also think MN is superior to the rest of the web and somehow unique. But the heart and soul of MN are the personalities on here, and changing usability elements won't affect that..

[FeelMyWraith]

What's wrong with wanting to 'like' posts? Well nothing explicitly wrong with it per se. It's merely disappointing. The like fuction interferes with the simplicity and transparency of MN. We're all words on a screen, using our voices to challenge, share, amuse, support, interrogate etc. Liking a post might seem like a simple nod of support but it's anything but. At one end of the spectrum it's vapid and unnecessary poll taking, other times it's sycophantic and on contentious threads with controversial opinions, it'll become a point of focus. Cries of 'who liked that personal attack' directed at hq, accusations of sock puppetry and cliques would be rife. And simply, the truly brilliant posts stand for themselves, a 'like' doesn't add anything to them. It's not a signpost. The words are enough. You like a sentiment, reach out and tell that person. Make a connection. Don't make MN messy.

In short, what's right with it?

[CaptainNancy]

What is wrong with just typing 'I agree with CaptainNancy'?

Or just 'What CaptainNancy said'?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

I agree with CaptainNancy

[VampiresWearBlackVelvet]

I'm not opposed to the idea of a like button.

[nightshade]

but most conversations that i feel i would like to comment on, in my experience, rarely involve me in a positive way!

i like to read the posts, and on occasion, would like to acknowledge my liking of a particular post.

a like button would not stop the art of discussion, bring mumsnet to an end or anything else!!

there are plenty of you on here who are never going to resort to using a like button, who enjoy endless typing and debate and who are loud enoughth t o bellow for the rest of us.

a like button might even show an increase in mumsnet numbers, as like me, i am sure there are plenty of readrs out there who choose not to enter into the discussion for various reasons, but would like, in some way to have their presence or outlook noted!!

[FeelMyWraith]

I think you'd find the problem you're experiencing now exacerbated. Because you make a comment that's the minority opinion and 17 lurkers who are too shy or busy to comment 'like' it. No names like on fb, just 17 likes. You're no longer just you defending the minority position. You can't say 'oh it's just my personal opinion', people will caw for you to defend the position of the 17 likers. Our opinions should be our own, our defence of them our own. We should neither be hiding behind the vocal minority nor representing the silent majority.

[schroeder]

'a 'like' button would mean that i didn't have to try and explain all of this in a manner that is neither offensive or confusing, and in synch with the post!'

Sorry nightshade I see your point of view, but as I don't use any other forums I never feel the need to 'like' what someone has said.

I do however think that what you have written here is a perfect example of why I only use mumsnet-the confusion, the misunderstandings and the rambling is what makes the site different and special and funny and addictive.

Therefore I am against anything that would inhibit the confusion.

No like button please.

[MarginallyNarkyPuffin]

I agree with CaptainNancy.

And if you think there's trouble with the 'You're all quichey bjitches!' now, just wait until there's a like button, and the well known popular posters are getting 100s of 'likes'.

And the AIBUs where the OP gets upset because they are BU. When comments telling them to get a grip get liked the 'vipers nest' comments will flow.