# Why No "Like" Button? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 4, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900 "2010-12-04T03:06:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/21 "2010-12-05T03:57:57Z")
yah fuck a bunch alike. if we likes domehting, whe’d comment on it. damn facebook to hell ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/22 "2010-12-05T04:15:29Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > yah fuck a bunch alike. if we likes domehting, whe’d comment on it. damn facebook to hell This right here is why I love surfing the Dope late on a Saturday night. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/23 "2010-12-05T04:18:20Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > This right here is why I love surfing the Dope late on a Saturday night. So baby… whatg’s your signe? ---
**Author:** ![Peeta\_Mellark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Peeta\_Mellark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peeta_Mellark)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/24 "2010-12-05T04:37:07Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Seriously, I don’t have karma or any upvote buttons on my forum. Why not? I’m trying to avoid features that would make the site seem cliquey. Yeah, that’s a valid reason. It would just tend to make the Big Name Posters look more important and newer people would feel more blatantly left out. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/25 "2010-12-05T06:24:57Z")
In my experience such things create problems. Including people who apparently troll just so they can get as big a negative reputation as possible, and as mentioned cliques that gang up on people they don’t like to give them a major negative reputation, or gang up to increase the reputation of those they like. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/26 "2010-12-05T08:04:24Z")
> [@Peeta\_Mellark](#): > > “Like”? What’s a “like” button? Is that one of those newfangled FaceTweet things the kids are using these days? Why, in my day we just posted +1 and we liked it! Whoa. You got me thinking of an actual Facebook Like button. You know, that one you see on a lot of sites where they want you to pimp them on Facebook? I’ve never actually used it, but I assume it would post a status update recommending you check out this amazing site. ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/27 "2010-12-05T08:10:15Z")
I think having “karma” or “reputation” points for users is bad for all the reasons mentioned above, but I also think that allowing posters to give a “thumbs up” to a post could be a good thing. Many times, someone is arguing against 2 or 3 persistent people, and it’s not clear if the lurkers reading the thread think he/she is making any sense. Having 2 or 3 posters argue with you telling you how wrong you are may not convince you that you are wrong, but having their arguments upvoted by hundreds of users should be a wake up call. Or, alternatively, having your posts upvoted by hundreds of users can be a great indicator that your arguments do make sense, despite what the 2 or 3 stubborn people you are arguing with think. And there are tons of people for whom clicking a “thumbs up” button is something they are much more likely to do than post a full reply to explain in detail why they agree with a particular post. [No “thumbs down” should be allowed, because then people can gang up on someone and downvote their posts to make it seem like no one agrees with them] ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/28 "2010-12-05T08:59:35Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > … having their arguments upvoted by hundreds of users should be a wake up call. Or, alternatively, having your posts upvoted by hundreds of users can be a great indicator that your arguments do make sense, despite what the 2 or 3 stubborn people you are arguing with think… +1 [QUOTE=Polerius] [No “thumbs down” should be allowed, because then people can gang up on someone and downvote their posts to make it seem like no one agrees with them] [/QUOTE] -1, errr I mean +1. make them work to post a -1 (and ideally post their reasons for disagreeing.) ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/29 "2010-12-05T09:11:44Z")
Personally I like the “Reputation” button which is available for VBulletin. Its a simple method of approving or disapproving a post, plus you can comment directly to the poster, without that being public. The benefit IMHO is no need for +1 or Agreed posts which otherwise do not add to the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/30 "2010-12-05T13:48:30Z")
I’m all for an “STFU” button asp per Alice’s suggestion. Can we implement that please? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/31 "2010-12-05T14:12:11Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Whoa. You got me thinking of an actual Facebook Like button. You know, that one you see on a lot of sites where they want you to pimp them on Facebook? I’ve never actually used it, but I assume it would post a status update recommending you check out this amazing site. Like … But seriously, including a way for users to share interesting threads on their Facebook feed with a “Like” button should be a no-brainer. It’s free to use, easy to install and will bring a ton of traffic to the boards. Most importantly, it’ll make the SDMB some money in a non-intrusive, non-malware way. Obviously, it’ll never be added. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/32 "2010-12-05T15:59:51Z")
Here’s a thought: if all you have to say is “I approve/I agree”, then maybe you don’t need a post, because you’re not adding anything to the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/33 "2010-12-05T16:48:54Z")
I never thought I’d like such a feature but lately I’ve been posting at a board where it’s used (not overused) and I’ve been enjoying it. On that board there’s a “like” and a “dislike”. I guess you just get accustomed to something because when I come back here I’m automatically looking for that “like” button. It’s not really as stupid as it sounds. It’s become useful and I imagine it would be useful here too. We don’t need a four paragraph post explaining why we agree with someone’s sentiment. “Like” works just as well. But I don’t expect this board to change much. We’re quite conservative here for such a large group of liberals. We think we’re even too good for smileys. I’m surprised they’re even offered. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/34 "2010-12-05T17:04:51Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > +1 word ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/35 "2010-12-05T17:24:14Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I never thought I’d like such a feature but lately I’ve been posting at a board where it’s used (not overused) and I’ve been enjoying it. On that board there’s a “like” and a “dislike”. I guess you just get accustomed to something because when I come back here I’m automatically looking for that “like” button. It’s not really as stupid as it sounds. It’s become useful and I imagine it would be useful here too. We don’t need a four paragraph post explaining why we agree with someone’s sentiment. “Like” works just as well. > > But I don’t expect this board to change much. We’re quite conservative here for such a large group of liberals. We think we’re even too good for smileys. I’m surprised they’re even offered. Tell me, in what way would a “Like” button tell us whether or not you liked the person rather than the argument put forth, let alone tell us what _part_ of the argument you liked? What does it add to a debate other than that some people believe you can apparently vote on reality? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/36 "2010-12-05T17:31:13Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Personally I like the “Reputation” button which is available for VBulletin. Its a simple method of approving or disapproving a post, plus you can comment directly to the poster, without that being public. > > The benefit IMHO is no need for +1 or Agreed posts which otherwise do not add to the discussion. The last time this subject came up, I pointed to another forum as an example of how easy this feature is to abuse – I have a reputation in the quadrillions over there, although I didn’t engage in the “rep the last ten posters” game threads they had going, and recalculating people’s reps. literally has crashed the server more than once. Good concept in theory – bad one in practical use. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/37 "2010-12-05T17:34:38Z")
BTW [Link](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=577015&highlight=reputation) to the last time this was discussed, not quite three months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Linsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Jenny\_Linsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Linsky)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/38 "2010-12-05T21:52:54Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I never thought I’d like such a feature but lately I’ve been posting at a board where it’s used (not overused) and I’ve been enjoying it. On that board there’s a “like” and a “dislike”. I guess you just get accustomed to something because when I come back here I’m automatically looking for that “like” button. It’s not really as stupid as it sounds. It’s become useful and I imagine it would be useful here too. We don’t need a four paragraph post explaining why we agree with someone’s sentiment. “Like” works just as well. I frequent a board with “agree” and “disagree” buttons, among others. It’s nice to give the poster feedback without a ‘me too’ post, but it leads to a great deal of disagree wank. “OMG, why did I get a disagree? I said I liked peas!” and then the thread gets completely derailed with a discussion of why someone might have disagreed with the post, which is what those buttons were supposed to prevent. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/39 "2010-12-05T22:41:51Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > Many times, someone is arguing against 2 or 3 persistent people, and it’s not clear if the lurkers reading the thread think he/she is making any sense. Having 2 or 3 posters argue with you telling you how wrong you are may not convince you that you are wrong, but having their arguments upvoted by hundreds of users should be a wake up call. Or, alternatively, having your posts upvoted by hundreds of users can be a great indicator that your arguments do make sense, despite what the 2 or 3 stubborn people you are arguing with think. Not that having hundreds of people agree with you (or just “like” _something_ about your post) actually means you’re right. Why should I care _how many_ lurkers, or posters, think one way or another? I’m interested in the content and quality of the ideas themselves; a good one from one person is worth considerably more than a bad one from hundreds. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/40 "2010-12-05T23:22:12Z")
> [@Jenny\_Linsky](#): > > I frequent a board with “agree” and “disagree” buttons, among others. It’s nice to give the poster feedback without a ‘me too’ post, but it leads to a great deal of disagree wank. “OMG, why did I get a disagree? I said I liked peas!” and then the thread gets completely derailed with a discussion of why someone might have disagreed with the post, which is what those buttons were supposed to prevent. Don’t think I’ve ever seen disagree wank, but it sounds like it might just be fun! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900.md?page=3)