# Why No "Like" Button?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900>\
**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:** 3

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/41 "2010-12-06T01:56:49Z")

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Well if we want more drama here, we could extend this feature to charter members only.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/42 "2010-12-06T03:17:14Z")

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{Bloody Mary}  
You no like?  
{/Bloody Mary}

Just call me a Cockeyed Optimist.

😃

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/43 "2010-12-06T04:02:50Z")

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> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#):
>
> Well if we want more drama here, we could extend this feature to charter members only.

And then make it so that approximately 40% of the time you try to use it, the board throws a database error and then you can’t log in for five minutes afterward.

I’m just throwing ideas out here, people.

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**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/44 "2010-12-06T10:11:50Z")

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> [@TubaDiva](#):
>
> We would prefer you to use your words..

Indeed!

We descend further and further into Newspeak with each passing day. I come here for relief!

(When I saw the name of the thread I thought it was some kind of “Share the Dope on Facebook” type of “like” button, not a “Why can’t the Dope **be** Facebook?” button.)

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**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/45 "2010-12-06T10:13:57Z")

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> [@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.

I really need to be better about reading threads before I speak.

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**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/46 "2010-12-06T10:18:14Z")

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> [@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.

Let me introduce you to the fallacy of [argumentum ad populum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentum_ad_populum)

“It is logically fallacious because the mere fact that a belief is widely-held is not necessarily a guarantee that the belief is correct”

This is the Dope…_fighting_ ignorance, not putting it to a vote.

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**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/47 "2010-12-06T10:19:29Z")

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> [@spark240](#):
>
> 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.

You can come sit by me anytime.

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**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/48 "2010-12-06T10:23:27Z")

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> [@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.

For whom is such a button meaningful?

With all due respect, if someone has nothing to actually add to the conversation, not even an individual and personalized expression of agreement, why should anyone care whether they have clicked a “like” button or not? And if you don’t care enough to express yourself, why do you desire to have such a button?

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**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/49 "2010-12-06T10:42:53Z")

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Like/dislike mechanics rarely reflect the value of the argument or idea of being proposed, but by how much the main demographic of the board is biased towards it. Repeating the same stuff you’ve heard everyone else say gets you +10000 OMG BRO YOU’RE A GENIUS whereas saying controversial yet well thought out stuff will get you downrated. It’s a popularity contest more than a reflection of the merit of ideas.

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**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/50 "2010-12-06T11:12:24Z")

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> [@Stoid](#):
>
> For whom is such a button meaningful?
> 
> With all due respect, if someone has nothing to actually add to the conversation, not even an individual and personalized expression of agreement, why should anyone care whether they have clicked a “like” button or not?

Because humans are social animals and internet fora are a way of socialising with each other. Reinforcement by approval or even disapproval tells a poster their view has been noticed by someone else. Its actually important.

> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> Like/dislike mechanics rarely reflect the value of the argument or idea of being proposed, but by how much the main demographic of the board is biased towards it. Repeating the same stuff you’ve heard everyone else say gets you +10000 OMG BRO YOU’RE A GENIUS whereas saying controversial yet well thought out stuff will get you downrated. It’s a popularity contest more than a reflection of the merit of ideas.

Mmmm…not for me. I regularly give good reputation points to people whom I disagree with but respect their thoughts.

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**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 6, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/51 "2010-12-06T12:11:08Z")

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> [@Ken001](#):
>
> Mmmm…not for me. I regularly give good reputation points to people whom I disagree with but respect their thoughts.

Do you understand that you have just undercut the arguments given by some of the others that are also for the “like” button? That button _cannot_ tell us whether you like the person or the argument unless you add a note to the thread explaining what you meant by pushing it.  
And if you are going to do that, you _really_ don’t need the button in the first place, do you?

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**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/52 "2010-12-06T13:33:52Z")

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I can see the utility of this on Facebook, where most people have maybe a few hundred friends and (generally speaking) know who they are. If 7 people “like” your status update it has some vague meaning to you. This place has how many active members again – 10,000? 20,000? For a bunch of posts to have “141 people like this” appended to them, and you have no idea who most of those people are, sounds like something to ignore.

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**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/53 "2010-12-06T14:00:18Z")

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I like this idea.

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**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 6, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/54 "2010-12-06T14:14:02Z")

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> [@Stoid](#):
>
> For whom is such a button meaningful?
> 
> With all due respect, if someone has nothing to actually add to the conversation, not even an individual and personalized expression of agreement, why should anyone care whether they have clicked a “like” button or not? And if you don’t care enough to express yourself, why do you desire to have such a button?

Oh come on, it’s not like this board is limited to meaningful conversation.

Like I said, I didn’t care much one way or another but lately posting on a board with such features I’ve come to realize they aren’t bad at all. I guess it’s just the atmosphere of that board that makes it work.

Here’s an example. Someone might post a funny story but really there’s nothing to say about it other than, “Cool story bro!” so occasionally people will just “like” it. Rarely do I ever see a “dislike” but it’s usually during one of our stellar religious debates. Then it’s generally ignored because it’s that one guy that “dislikes” anything not related to his own religion.

Of course it probably wouldn’t work here, not the way some people here hold grudges.

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**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/55 "2010-12-06T14:40:54Z")

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Is there a line forming to shoot **SamClem**?

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**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 6, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/56 "2010-12-06T15:44:30Z")

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No, we already shot him on the previous page. Feel free to bust a cap in the corpse, however, if it will make you happy… 😃

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**Author:** ![lisalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lisalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisalan)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/57 "2010-12-06T16:14:42Z")

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I think it’s a good idea. There’s a website where people can give you reputation points if they like your post. i don’t know how easy it would be for the site admins here to implement that???

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/58 "2010-12-06T16:29:38Z")

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> [@lisalan](#):
>
> I think it’s a good idea. There’s a website where people can give you reputation points if they like your post. i don’t know how easy it would be for the site admins here to implement that???

If it’s a vBulletin feature, it would be easy. But I hate those features and I think most SDMB posters (and staff) feel the same way. I don’t think reputation points and like buttons add anything to the forum experience beyond giving you another button to push.

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**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 6, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/59 "2010-12-06T16:30:31Z")

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> [@lisalan](#):
>
> I think it’s a good idea. There’s a website where people can give you reputation points if they like your post. i don’t know how easy it would be for the site admins here to implement that???

Is this supposed to support a poster’s argument, or her/his reputation?

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**Author:** ![lisalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@lisalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisalan)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-like-button/562900/60 "2010-12-06T17:40:41Z")

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> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> Is this supposed to support a poster’s argument, or her/his reputation?

To support an argument. It’s actually a lot of fun.

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