The Like Button

So I saw a bunch of people on facebook that was something along the lines of “If a million people join facebook will create a dislike button” The problem was it’s not like facebook was going to take the group seriously, it was only a petition, and even though it had 1 million members within 5 days, there is very little chance of facebook adding a dislike button. Let me share my thoughts on this.

While I could really value the initial idea of a dislike button (I could finally tell people how I feel about their new relationship status) There are millions of cons that would be come clear almost instantly.

Here is one of my biggest issues with all of the internet in general, whenever a system of good or bad is introduced the true black heart of internet is revealed. The internet is the single most empty place for tolerance I’ve ever seen. It’s here that everyone thinks their opinion is the only right one and the differ from it makes you a moron. Let’s look at my favorite example of this both on facebook and outside of it.

On facebook we have large group discussion boards. I once saw a topic called “There is no God, prove me wrong” and it was simply page after page of stubborn people entrenched very deeply in very shallow conversation. It hurt me so much I actually left the group that was hosting that discussion. Outside of facebook take a good look at youtube. Wither you realize it or not, youtube is the single most “progressive” site on the web. Half the top rated videos at any point have to do with the fact that atheism is the only way, and then on the comment boards scores more of absolutely terrible conversation that rips people down. Youtube does use a like dislike feature which is generally twisted to take anything conservative far away from being seen by the daylight. People when given an opportunity to share their true feelings generally prove that we really are living in a selfish postmodern culture. Where it’s all about the I and the You stands for useless.

So if facebook were to install a dislike button I think there would be a terrible surge of human negativity that might ultimately be it’s own downfall. But that doesn’t mean that I’m all about the happy go lucky of the like button either

I hate the like button. First of all I think it cheapens all interaction, it means that when I write a status that people enjoy instead of commenting on it and leaving how they really feel it just becomes a simple “I like this” which could possibly be the shallowest of all complements. What if I went to an art gallery and simply told the artist “I like this” That would be ridiculous no? Instead I would take the time to think about what I really liked and disliked and I would tell the artist in person. I learn nothing about how people really feel by them just liking my stuff, while it’s like a small warm fuzzy for like a second it really doesn’t have any lasting value in my mind.

The like button also feeds America’s obsession with being lazy. “Hey instead of thinking about stuff I can just click one button and like this, how simple is that” What a terrible symptom of cultural complacency if we can’t even type out a few quick notes for someone we would call a friend.

Needless to say the Like button causes me serious problems, so much so I wish I could take it off my page.

So it comes down to this. When you see something you like online, take the time to write up a quick comment to the user, chances are they will really appreciate it. and when you see something you don’t like, make it a point to talk to the author in a more personal way, don’t ever think about tearing them down publicly, because that will reflect terribly on you.

And that’s all I’ve got this morning. Today I’m going to see Tony Campolo speak

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