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

[MsAmerica]

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.

AIBU is already full of people chasing kudos from an audience - you would have people being competitively nasty (or competitively supportive, or telling tall tales) for the likes.

I’m on another forum with “like” options, but it is a lot more sedate than MN. And people still do all of the above. Definite performative answering.

I think it makes people lazier, and/or we're often all pushed for time so it's quicker. Clicking like instead of writing even a short reply makes the discussion less lively and less useful.

People will post less. They'll just react instead. Not a conversation starter/continuer

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 like a LIKE button idea OP.

@hilariousnamehere

I think it makes people lazier, and/or we're often all pushed for time so it's quicker. Clicking like instead of writing even a short reply makes the discussion less lively and less useful.

I'm not sure that more posts = more useful and lively.

On the really long threads, there's a lot of repetition. I'd rather read one well crafted response and note that 50 people support it, than scroll through 50 more people posting saying the same thing. Or quoting the original and writing "^ THIS".

Especially when all those responses bury the OP's updates and the thread fills up with unhelpful posts from people who didn't RTFT because it was too long. Then there'll be 20 people posting to scream "RTFT!!"

Etc., etc.

Couldn’t we have agree or disagree? When you get a post that everyone is replying with the same response I’d rather hit yes I agree with this comment, I’m
Not going to bother replying to something 10 pages long where everyone is saying the same thing. To be honest on posts with 5 pages I can’t be bothered to reply when someone has already said what I’d say

Because it's MN 'Talk' the clue is in the name.

Seems totally pointless to just read and vote, it's hardly engaging is it? If you appreciate a post say why.

If they do introduce one there had better be a 'Dislike' button too so we can get the full Daily Mail comments section experience.

Because it is not a popularity contest. It is a forum to share ideas and argue and debate and talk...

@Providora I agree with everything you've said, especially the repetition. It would also be interesting to see how many people would 'like' a post that's going against the general consensus on the thread.

I often get the feeling that if a thread seems to be going one way, it's more difficult for someone to disagree as they don't want a pile on. It would be easier to show support for a post like that by 'liking' it instead of wading in.

I am sure loads of people would like a post that breaks talk guidelines or is a troll-it would work both ways.
Someone posts a personal attack and gets lots of likes. Nice.

There's no way it would be used purely for support.

What if you 'Like' some of what a poster has said but 'Dislike' some as well. Would you press 'Like' then explain you have pressed Like for one bit but don't agree with another?

It wouldn't get used in the way you think. Just like the vote button has been turned into a ruddy irritating poll button.

Imagine someone says something quite scathing to an OP seeking support and a load of bellend trolls 'liked it'. Like repeated kicks from one post but even more anonymous than it is now. Just no. We don't want a sodden like button.

What if you 'Like' some of what a poster has said but 'Dislike' some as well. Would you press 'Like' then explain you have pressed Like for one bit but don't agree with another?

It's really not that deep. You don't have to explain why you've disliked or liked someone's post. Or even if you've pressed it by accident.

@gamerchick

It wouldn't get used in the way you think. Just like the vote button has been turned into a ruddy irritating poll button.

Imagine someone says something quite scathing to an OP seeking support and a load of bellend trolls 'liked it'. Like repeated kicks from one post but even more anonymous than it is now. Just no. We don't want a sodden like button.

Agree with all of that. The use of the Vote button as a poll in AIBU is so irritating. Half the time there' no clue as to how the vote works, plus what does it prove? Nothing.

@AndreaMarteau

What if you 'Like' some of what a poster has said but 'Dislike' some as well. Would you press 'Like' then explain you have pressed Like for one bit but don't agree with another?

It's really not that deep. You don't have to explain why you've disliked or liked someone's post. Or even if you've pressed it by accident.

That's good to know. So you can just go from thread to thread Liking and Disliking but saying nothing. Then log off and go and get stuff done. Think of all the time saved. genius.

It's really not that deep.

Exactly. That's the point. Let's not embrace things that make posts/posters even more shallow.

It's really not that deep.

Exactly. That's the point. Let's not embrace things that make posts/posters even more shallow.

I don't understand why people say that a like button will just make everything a popularity contest.

Don't people just read the words to decide whether or not they agree with something? I don't even look at the names half the time.

And I agree with the posters who say it's hardly an interactive conversation when you just have dozen of people saying the same thing or saying that they agree with a comment posted by someone 18 pages ago.

I am a member of another forum that has become "lesser" with the addition of a like/sad face/laughing face/ heart emotions etc. The "royalty" get likes, the responses are many fewer, why show you care or post "so sorry to hear that... etc" when you can do a sad face and a heart. Meaningless pap.

Still it let's you know the people to avoid when you can see them liking many posts about "benefit abusers" or "get a job" etc

There will be people who moan why a lighthearted post on what's for dinner will receive more likes than something more serious like the situation in Palestine.

There will also be people insulted because they have no likes

I'd like one or a thumbs up emoji

But why? Why not go on to a thread and say why you like it? Far more interesting.

I used to be part of a petforum, it has a like function, small groups of horrible users use it as a tool to bully certain posters, then you have the post who bully other users for not liking their post, or liking a post belonging to someone they don’t like.

Because it’s a talk forum.

@UhtredRagnarson

Because it’s a talk forum.

👍

Don't be lazy, comment if you have something to say, THINK 'nice comment' if you have nothing to add. Or do as posters do now and say 'what @iscratchyourbackyouscratchmine said' and nobody is one the wiser.

As I've said on thread after thread about this, I would hate the frequent posters' entourages turning up ruining good advice from normal posters on every thread available.

Use your words.