A Like Button

[Cookie]

There's so many things written that I admire on this site, and would like to pay my dues with a thumbs up.  It's impossible to comment on everything that tickles your fancy, there's not enough time for one. 

 

You could have a virtual prize at the end of the month for which post got the most likes.  You can also get a dislike button too.

[Little Fang]

Like button, maybe. Dislike button is a huge no no :)

I'll see if there are any mods for one

[Raggydoll]

I personally think these like/dislike button are a bit too reminiscent of social media (= Facebook  :shhh: ) and it is perhaps not so representative of the type of friendly and drama-free environment we’re trying to foster here. If you like a post then you can reply with a heart or a thumbs up. But if you don’t like it then I’d say it is better to go find another thread that resonates more with you instead. A thumbs down or a simple ‘dislike’ is not constructive. Some people would get discouraged and sad while others would get agitated. But I think very few people would value getting a dislike on their post. Plus, can you imagine the pressure it would place on some people to always like post made by their friends? And what if you take the time to write something really heartfelt and no one likes it? Or a friend likes someone else’s comments but forgets to like yours. One word: drama! (Maybe you’re not the type of person that gets caught up in drama, but lots of other people are. And some people just get stressed by watching other people and their drama. Thats probably partly why social media induces anxiety in so many of us) By the way, I don’t ‘dislike’ your suggestion, in case that is how my post came across  ;) I’m just trying to explain my point of view! (But I’m sure Saturn Celeste[/member] will chime in soon and speak up in favor of the like-button so you’re not the only one that likes this idea. I might even be in minority with my pessimism  :)) O:-) )

[Rose Lalonde]

I'm with Raggydoll on this one. I've been on a forum with likes, and I didn't enjoy that. In theory it should be a quick way to give a poster a friendly wave, and I see why that's good, but reading through threads, it felt more like a rating system. There were a few times I didn't bother posting, because someone else who shared a similar perspective had the post that didn't get likes, so I figured my post wasn't going to be of much interest either. And that may be the truth, but here I can ignore that in blissful ignorance  ;) , and someone might come along at some point and enjoy the post. And it's not all about me feeling left out. I may be weird, but there were time when I got a lot of likes on something and felt awkward about having far more than some other posters. Once someone who was the only person in a thread with me said, Clearly more people see this as you do, so I guess my opinion isn't popular, like that meant they didn't have as much say in the discussion. Maybe it's silly, but yeah, it seemed to lead to drama.

[Raggydoll]

I'm with Raggydoll on this one. I've been on a forum with likes, and I didn't enjoy that. In theory it should be a quick way to give a poster a friendly wave, and I see why that's good, but reading through threads, it felt more like a rating system. There were a few times I didn't bother posting, because someone else who shared a similar perspective had the post that didn't get likes, so I figured my post wasn't going to be of much interest either. And that may be the truth, but here I can ignore that in blissful ignorance  ;) , and someone might come along at some point and enjoy the post. And it's not all about me feeling left out. I may be weird, but there were time when I got a lot of likes on something and felt awkward about having far more than some other posters. Once someone even said, Clearly more people see this as you do, so I guess my opinion isn't popular, like that meant they had to give up on discussion. Maybe it's silly, but yeah, it seemed to lead to drama.

 

Yes, and if I’m being honest then I am not immune to this, so no matter how hard I tried I would probably also get discouraged if I had spent time on a post and no one liked it. (And I really don’t like the thought of having to waste energy on staying balanced and not letting those things get to you). Plus there is also a risk that you start to alter yourself so that you write more about those things that get more likes and that you don’t feel there is much point in getting nerdy about a narrow topic. I feel that we need to provide a safe place for people to be authentic, unique and colorful. No one should have to worry about popularity. I think I’m not the only one that has had bad experiences back in school. I often felt like the odd one and I was made to feel stupid (or weird) for talking about the things that interested me. Luckily we had no social media back then. That would have made it so much worse!

[gregory]

There's so many things written that I admire on this site, and would like to pay my dues with a thumbs up.  It's impossible to comment on everything that tickles your fancy, there's not enough time for one. 

 

You could have a virtual prize at the end of the month for which post got the most likes.  You can also get a dislike button too.

 

This is not facebook. And that last sentence is the HUGE reason I would actually think very seriously about LEAVING here if a like button was introduced. This isn't a competition site - it is a learning and sharing about tarot site. As such - if you like a post - have the decency to share why you like it - which will help others to learn.

 

I don't care if someone "likes" what I post. I do care if they - say - like it because it's a new perspective on xyz, or hate it because they feel it is profoundly wrong for z reason. That shows me that they read it and had something to add, rather than being my "friend" who "likes " everything I post - as happens on facebook.

[Flaxen]

Personally, I wouldn’t be keen on a ‘like’ button (and definitely not a ‘dislike’ one) for many of the reasons already given.

 

On other media, it seems to encourage a very superficial discourse and relationships. It’s too easy to skim a post and ‘like’ it just because you are friends with a person. It also modifies what people are prepared to post - no-one likes to get lots of dislikes. It would change the dynamic of the forum too much in my view. At the moment, it’s a small, friendly and thoughtful community where everyone is able to contribute in their own way. I’d worry a sort of hierarchy would be introduced by ‘rating’ posts and put off shyer and newer members.

[Little Fang]

Thank you all for your valuable feedback! ❤

[Raggydoll]

There's so many things written that I admire on this site, and would like to pay my dues with a thumbs up.  It's impossible to comment on everything that tickles your fancy, there's not enough time for one. 

 

You could have a virtual prize at the end of the month for which post got the most likes.  You can also get a dislike button too.

 

This is not facebook. And that last sentence is the HUGE reason I would actually think very seriously about LEAVING here if a like button was introduced. This isn't a competition site - it is a learning and sharing about tarot site. As such - if you like a post - have the decency to share why you like it - which will help others to learn.

 

I don't care if someone "likes" what I post. I do care if they - say - like it because it's a new perspective on xyz, or hate it because they feel it is profoundly wrong for z reason. That shows me that they read it and had something to add, rather than being my "friend" who "likes " everything I post - as happens on facebook.

 

I think I can safely say that I speak for all us moderators in that we do not ever want there to be an element of competition here. You are 100% correct in that this is a place for learning and sharing. No one will be made to feel bad for asking a certain question or having a certain opinion. But I also don’t want anyone to feel bad for making a simple suggestion - like in this case. Im glad that you opened up this discussion Cookie[/member]. It is really valuable and interesting to hear everyone’s opinion on this.

[Rose Lalonde]

I understand why it would be suggested, so I hope I didn't come across as too negative, Cookie[/member] . Sometimes it would be easier for me to 'like' a short post I agree with and have nothing else to add to.  I just personally didn't enjoy the way it ends up affecting me on a forum.

[gregory]

Take the time to post "I liked this." That takes the time not to be a knee-jerk.

[Saturn Celeste]

Like button, maybe. Dislike button is a huge no no :)

I'll see if there are any mods for one

Little Fang, there are FB style Like button mods that don't have a dislike.  You'll have no trouble finding one.  I do not condone dislike buttons.  Honestly I prefer typing out that I liked their comment or leaven an emoji BUT sometimes there are so many great comments I would spend more hours than I already do in here so a like is nice to let that person know you saw their post and liked it.  So with this, I agree with Cookie.  I feel better too for letting them know I liked it.  They'll be able to see who likes their posts also.

[Saturn Celeste]

There's so many things written that I admire on this site, and would like to pay my dues with a thumbs up.  It's impossible to comment on everything that tickles your fancy, there's not enough time for one. 

 

You could have a virtual prize at the end of the month for which post got the most likes.  You can also get a dislike button too.

 

This is not facebook. And that last sentence is the HUGE reason I would actually think very seriously about LEAVING here if a like button was introduced. This isn't a competition site - it is a learning and sharing about tarot site. As such - if you like a post - have the decency to share why you like it - which will help others to learn.

 

I don't care if someone "likes" what I post. I do care if they - say - like it because it's a new perspective on xyz, or hate it because they feel it is profoundly wrong for z reason. That shows me that they read it and had something to add, rather than being my "friend" who "likes " everything I post - as happens on facebook.

 

I think I can safely say that I speak for all us moderators in that we do not ever want there to be an element of competition here. You are 100% correct in that this is a place for learning and sharing. No one will be made to feel bad for asking a certain question or having a certain opinion. But I also don’t want anyone to feel bad for making a simple suggestion - like in this case. Im glad that you opened up this discussion Cookie[/member]. It is really valuable and interesting to hear everyone’s opinion on this.

:bthumbsup:  Now see, if we had a like button, I would have liked this post!  :blol:

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

If I'm remembering properly FB is retiring the like button.

[Cookie]

Thank you for your input everyone.  I left Facebook ages ago but I guess that urge & easiness of the like button has stayed with me.  But I understand completely why the majority of you wouldn't want one.

 

And erm gregory[/member] ... I was asking for a like button mate.

 

Edited by Saturn Celeste for unnecessary sarcasm. 6:25 PM 11/25/18