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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
MrsTerryPratchett · 12/05/2021 20:54

No thanks.

But if we have to have one, we also need BiscuitHmmBearWineStarGin and RTFT and ODFOD.

But let's just not.

BlueVelvetStars · 13/05/2021 02:08

my version of the LIKE button... is it Quote the comment and reply AGREED ☺️

Providora · 13/05/2021 03:59

@UhtredRagnarson

Because it’s a talk forum.
When talking in real life, don't you ever just nod, or say 'uh huh' 'yep' or give someone a high five or whatever floats your boat when they say something you agree with?
AndreaMarteau · 13/05/2021 05:48

@BlueVelvetStars

my version of the LIKE button... is it Quote the comment and reply AGREED ☺️

Not sure if you're joking or not, but that can get really annoying and adds nothing, especially If the quote is more than one paragraph long and there are a few people doing the same. It's actually irritating when you're reading through a thread to see the same quote over and over with 'THIS^^' or 'agreed' at the bottom of it and It's one of the reasons why a like button would come in handy.

It's a moot point anyway. MN aren't going to give us a like button.

chatw00 · 13/05/2021 05:52

I would rather have an edit function Grin

picturesandpickles · 13/05/2021 05:57

Agree MN is better as it is, where you have to engage to express your view.

'likes' are one of the most negative aspects of social media, would be a shame to bring that to here too.

BertieBotts · 13/05/2021 06:16

Because it's pointless and doesn't add to the discussion.

If you agree or disagree but have nothing to add, why would you need to share that? It doesn't make a thread interesting to read. Why are you so important that you need to rubber stamp your opinion on things without adding anything else?

MN is great specifically because every post stands on its own merit and you can take it or leave it without being told that 50 people agree. Even the usernames aren't distracting.

If a thread is too long, don't read it - I agree the repetition is annoying, but a Like button wouldn't prevent that. Or just read the OP's posts. TBH I have hidden AIBU, because nobody bothers to read each other's posts on there any more and it drove me nuts, MN is much nicer and more like it used to be without AIBU - threads tend to be an actual conversation.

BertieBotts · 13/05/2021 06:19

Andrea I don't think people would stop doing that if you gave them a like button. They'd just do both.

Sparklingbrook · 13/05/2021 07:04

I agree with the long threads. If I open a thread that’s pages long already I assume everything’s been said so I give it a miss. I might read the OPs posts but I don’t comment. Adding my one like or dislike-what would be the point?

Barbiesdocmartins · 13/05/2021 07:07

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!!"

👍

partyatthepalace · 13/05/2021 07:21

It’s a conversation forum. So it would be pointless.

Sparklingbrook · 13/05/2021 08:16

OP hasn’t returned. Ask a question but no acknowledgement of the answers. Where’s that dislike button when you need it!

JovialNickname · 13/05/2021 08:54

I think it would be cool if there was a "like" facility, but with each user only having, say, 3 likes available to use in a day. Would stop the negative pile ons but still allow really useful posts to be highlighted.

BIWI · 13/05/2021 08:57

Just because someone has liked something doesn't necessarily mean it would be useful though.

MNHQ
soniamumsnet · 13/05/2021 11:12

Thanks for all the suggestions and thoughts. Flowers

ChloeCrocodile · 13/05/2021 11:23

I think "like" buttons kill conversation. I also often read posts and initially agree but on further reading change my mind. Or someone posts agreeing with the OP but explaining in a slightly different way and I find the second explanation helpful - with a like button often those second posts wouldn't exist.

Sparklingbrook · 13/05/2021 11:34

@ChloeCrocodile

I think "like" buttons kill conversation. I also often read posts and initially agree but on further reading change my mind. Or someone posts agreeing with the OP but explaining in a slightly different way and I find the second explanation helpful - with a like button often those second posts wouldn't exist.
Yes, the OP could write something you totally agree with so you hit the Like button, then a couple more posts and a massive drip feed later you'll be pressing that Dislike button. Grin
TheVanguardSix · 13/05/2021 11:36

Because I'm not here for that.
It's not about adulation. I'm not here to be validated. I'm here to discuss.

BIWI · 13/05/2021 11:40

Exactly @TheVanguardSix!

You only have to look at reddit to see how their equivalent of likes, the upvoting, is used in that way - with the concomitant nastiness of downvoting.

roguetomato · 13/05/2021 11:41

I think it's difficult to ignore it if it's there, and it may encourage nastiness by people liking mean comments. MN is for support, not for individual validation.

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/05/2021 15:21

And it's irritating enough to see people say, 'what MrsTerry said' when BIWI said it before but was ignored. Well known posters would get likes when other newer posters, or less prolific, said it earlier and better.

BlueVelvetStars · 13/05/2021 15:30

@AndreaMarteau

Im certainly not joking, Im also happy to quote a post that says exactly what I was going to say.

You have a nice day 🌸

AndreaMarteau · 13/05/2021 17:18

@BlueVelvetStars well, you do you but I'm not sure what you think it's bringing to the discussion.

If this were a real life conversation would you just repeat verbatim what someone else said then shout 'THIS' at the end of it? I doubt it. And if 7 or 8 of your friends then also repeated it, I'm sure you'd find it as annoying in real life as many do on here.

You have a nice day too though 🌸

BlueVelvetStars · 13/05/2021 17:34

[quote AndreaMarteau]@BlueVelvetStars well, you do you but I'm not sure what you think it's bringing to the discussion.

If this were a real life conversation would you just repeat verbatim what someone else said then shout 'THIS' at the end of it? I doubt it. And if 7 or 8 of your friends then also repeated it, I'm sure you'd find it as annoying in real life as many do on here.

You have a nice day too though 🌸[/quote]

I would Yes, I would say.. Yes I agree..

I'm not alone in quoting. and then just agreeing, or disagreeing, with comments.

There are no guidelines saying that it's against the rules. ☺️

Obviously I will do me, who else could I possibly do 😂

tonimitchell · 13/05/2021 19:13

I don’t think it would put people off commenting. I’ve seen enough facebook group sites where posters ‘like’ and still have a go at some one they disagree with Grin