Fuck Likes, Let's Talk
Seriously, I could not dislike likes any more π π π [Β±2min read]
I really, really hate the like button. Why? Let me explain...
I don't know why it was created, but I have a feeling it was created expressly for advertisers as a way to bolster engagement metrics. In reality, though, a like is not engagement at all.
The ad angle alone fuels my hate, but wait there's more.
Liking something panders to our obsession with making everything easier and faster because we're fucking lazy creatures. Liking something is half-arsed, it's non-committal and in my humble opinion it's certainly not engagement.
A post with 100 likes and 0 comments is not good engagement. A post with 0 likes and 100 comments, now that is engagement. But one is much harder than the other. Harder for the user that it, because it requires thought, and thought requires time and we all have zero fucking time to do anything these days don't we?
But we have time to scroll endlessly and like a 1000 posts a day, right? Thatβs fucking easy, right?
I guarantee if we had the option to walk around with a like button attached to us most people would just use that to communicate. "Would you like a coffee?" Like π. "Do I look pretty in this dress? Like π.
Fuck that! Imagine that life? No thanks! π π π
Humans are lazy, and clear, concise communication requires time and thought and unfortunately it's becoming lost in a sea of likes because ultimately we will always choose the easier, faster route.
But in social media that's the point. The like exists to facilitate speed because in social media the more content you consume, the more ads you consume. We live an ad-driven world, baby! You enjoying the ride?
If I like an opinion I will retweet it. If I dislike something I will oftentimes retweet it with a comment expressing why I dislike it. If I enjoyed something or something entertained me I will try and let that person know how it made me feel. If I ask a question, I will most certainly try and respond to those that took the time to respond to me, because THAT IS THE RIGHT, POLITE THING TO DO! (Yes, I realise Instagram is slightly different but fundamentally I stand by my point)
In the way an irritated teen will grunt an indistinguishable answer to a question the same can be said for the like. And in the same way we berate said teen for not communicating clearly with a (hopefully) thoughtful rant on the pitfalls of poor communication, let's hold ourselves to the same standard on social media.
A like is a indistinguishable, disinterested grunt.*
Letβs start communicating again.
Fuck likes, letβs talk!
π
Header Photo byΒ Barefoot Communications onΒ Unsplash
*I know likes have good intent. I like stuff. You like stuff. We all like stuff - itβs like fucking vanilla ice-cream, and the like isnβt going anywhere soon. But hey, in the meantime, maybe try this now and again - take a few minutes and tell the person how it makes you feel.