Are we in this forum for the "likes" etc., or for discussions! Or both?

Old Salt

Senior Member
It's not a life or death matter for me but as I looked over some threads this afternoon I noticed a peculiar thing. People would give out "likes" and "hugs" etc. to posters with completely opposing views! To me, it's strange. If I don't like something, even though I like the poster, I won't give it a "like!"

How can you put your "like" on someone's post even if you disagree with it and another "like" on a post you like? At the same time? Are you liking them just for posting, or because you like them personally? Doesn't that make whatever we post irrelevant?
 

It all depends.. sometimes a like is given to let the poster know that their post has been read..this is particularly so.. in the case of a post that's received no replies.. and sometimes a like is given to show that another poster may not agree with your point, but acknowledges your right to have it...
 
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It all depends.. sometimes a like is given to let the poster know that their post has been read..this is particualrly so.. in the case of a post that's received no replies.. and sometimes a like is given to show that another poster may not agree with your point, but acknowledges your right to have it...
I see (somewhat) your point HD. But let it be known to everyone that I only want a "like" because you really liked what I wrote. I could not stand sympathy endorsements! Old age has not cured me of my overweening pride!

As a matter of fact, I wish we had "thumbs down" as a choice. Would keep things real and promote real discussions! I agree there's a potential danger in that method but "likes" for everyone whose post has been ignored? Thanks, HD, for making me feel better on more than one occasion but now I am equally saddened if it was simply meant to make me feel better.
 

I see (somewhat) your point HD. But let it be known to everyone that I only want a "like" because you really liked what I wrote. I could not stand sympathy endorsements! Old age has not cured me of my overweening pride!

As a matter of fact, I wish we had "thumbs down" as a choice. Would keep things real and promote real discussions! I agree there's a potential danger in that method but "likes" for everyone whose post has been ignored? Thanks, HD, for making me feel better on more than one occasion but now I am equally saddened if it was simply meant to make me feel better.
Believe me I've been a member of forums which have the thumbs down option... it's used almost solely for online bullying..yep even by grown adults.. we don't need that here
 
I very often don't even remember to "like" something even if I really really liked it. I've been online for... what? Like over 30 years now, and it's just something I never got used to. What I *don't* do is give likes just because I like the person whether or not I agreed with what they said. And like @hollydolly said, sometimes it's to acknowledge I read it but I won't be commenting.

To take it a step further, if I give a 😡 ,it's because the topic/subject matter angered me, not the poster. But my hugs... those have meaning if I give them, but I often forget those, too. 🤷‍♀️
 
Believe me I've been a member of forums which have the thumbs down option... it's used almost solely for online bullying..yep even by grown adults.. we don't need that here
LOL. I put a "like" down on your post because I was aware of the danger of things getting out of hand that way. Just, please, let's keep things honest then we don't need that particular emoji!
 
If I give a like on an opposing view, it means I respect your opinion. I'm trying not to dole out too many likes but I use it as a "read" option. If I really oppose your view or post I'll let you know.
This gives me an idea, maybe we should ask the powers that be to add a "read" emoji! That way the poster knows that he/she is not being ignored and we don't have to "like" when we don't!
 
It's not a life or death matter for me but as I looked over some threads this afternoon I noticed a peculiar thing. People would give out "likes" and "hugs" etc. to posters with completely opposing views! To me, it's strange. If I don't like something, even though I like the poster, I won't give it a "like!"

How can you put your "like" on someone's post even if you disagree with it and another "like" on a post you like? At the same time? Are you liking them just for posting, or because you like them personally? Doesn't that make whatever we post irrelevant?
If I start a thread, I know some people will disagree with me but I respect them anyway and will give their response a like in gratitude. I don't see anything wrong with this. In fact, I think more people should get along with those they disagree with and focus on our similarities as human beings instead of our differences.
 
It's not a life or death matter for me but as I looked over some threads this afternoon I noticed a peculiar thing. People would give out "likes" and "hugs" etc. to posters with completely opposing views! To me, it's strange. If I don't like something, even though I like the poster, I won't give it a "like!"

How can you put your "like" on someone's post even if you disagree with it and another "like" on a post you like? At the same time? Are you liking them just for posting, or because you like them personally? Doesn't that make whatever we post irrelevant?

We live in times where a disagreement only ever leads to fights, wars, and hatred. So, for me on the forums, I might not like you or your post, but if I think you're giving an honest response, I might click the LIKE button. It's really important that, even when in disagreement, we maintain some sense of civility, imo.

You really know it counts when it's not a LIKE you get, but instead of the other options. That takes dedication. :D

We should actually have more options. How about a bouquet? A head exploding? A big pair of googly eyes? A stiletto stuck in a mans head?
 
We live in times where a disagreement only ever leads to fights, wars, and hatred. So, for me on the forums, I might not like you or your post, but if I think you're giving an honest response, I might click the LIKE button. It's really important that, even when in disagreement, we maintain some sense of civility, imo.

You really know it counts when it's not a LIKE you get, but instead of the other options. That takes dedication. :D

We should actually have more options. How about a bouquet? A head exploding? A big pair of googly eyes? A stiletto stuck in a mans head?
well there are other options.. just click on the little smiley emoticon above... 🤓🤡👽🥴💐🥂
 
You are giving too much meaning to an emoji.
Don’t worry about ‘why’ they gave it to you.
Their opinion of you is none of your business.
Fill your thoughts with loving harmonious things and you will see more of what you are thinking about. It’s magical. Everyone trips over their own ego from time to time.
 
You are giving too much meaning to an emoji.
Don’t worry about ‘why’ they gave it to you.
Their opinion of you is none of your business.
Fill your thoughts with loving harmonious things and you will see more of what you are thinking about. It’s magical. Everyone trips over their own ego from time to time.
Thank you! Its just a little cartoon. And yes, some people have lots more ego than others.
 
“There once was a village that had among its people a very wise old man. The villagers trusted this man to provide them answers to their questions and concerns. One day, a farmer from the village went to the wise man and said in a frantic tone, “Wise man, help me. A horrible thing has happened. My ox has died and I have no animal to help me plow my field! Isn’t this the worst thing that could have possibly happened?” The wise old man replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

The man hurried back to the village and reported to his neighbors that the wise man had gone mad. Surely this was the worst thing that could have happened. Why couldn’t he see this? The very next day, however, a strong, young horse was seen near the man’s farm.

Because the man had no ox to rely on, he had the idea to catch the horse to replace his ox—and he did. How joyful the farmer was. Plowing the field had never been easier. He went back to the wise man to apologize. “You were right, wise man. Losing my ox wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. It was a blessing in disguise! I never would have captured my new horse had that not happened. You must agree that this is the best thing that could have happened.” The wise man replied once again, “Maybe so, maybe not.

Not again, thought the farmer. Surely the wise man had gone mad now. But, once again, the farmer did not know what was to happen. A few days later the farmer’s son was riding the horse and was thrown off. He broke his leg and would not be able to help with the crop. Oh no, thought the man. Now we will starve to death.

Once again, the farmer went to the wise man. This time he said, “How did you know that capturing my horse was not a good thing? You were right again. My son is injured and won’t be able to help with the crop. This time I’m sure that this is the worst thing that could have possibly happened. You must agree this time.” But, just as he had done before, the wise man calmly looked at the farmer and in a compassionate tone replied once again, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

Enraged that the wise man could be so ignorant, the farmer stormed back to the village. The next day troops arrived to take every able-bodied man to the war that had just broken out. The farmer’s son was the only young man in the village who didn’t have to go. He would live, while the others would surely die.

The moral of this story provides a powerful lesson. The truth is, we don’t know what’s going to happen—we just think we do. Often we make a big deal out of something. We blow up scenarios in our minds about all the terrible things that are going to happen. Most of the time we are wrong. If we keep our cool and stay open to possibilities, we can be reasonably certain that, eventually, all will be well.

Remember: maybe so, maybe not.”
― Richard Carlson (Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff).
 
“There once was a village that had among its people a very wise old man. The villagers trusted this man to provide them answers to their questions and concerns. One day, a farmer from the village went to the wise man and said in a frantic tone, “Wise man, help me. A horrible thing has happened. My ox has died and I have no animal to help me plow my field! Isn’t this the worst thing that could have possibly happened?” The wise old man replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

The man hurried back to the village and reported to his neighbors that the wise man had gone mad. Surely this was the worst thing that could have happened. Why couldn’t he see this? The very next day, however, a strong, young horse was seen near the man’s farm.

Because the man had no ox to rely on, he had the idea to catch the horse to replace his ox—and he did. How joyful the farmer was. Plowing the field had never been easier. He went back to the wise man to apologize. “You were right, wise man. Losing my ox wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. It was a blessing in disguise! I never would have captured my new horse had that not happened. You must agree that this is the best thing that could have happened.” The wise man replied once again, “Maybe so, maybe not.

Not again, thought the farmer. Surely the wise man had gone mad now. But, once again, the farmer did not know what was to happen. A few days later the farmer’s son was riding the horse and was thrown off. He broke his leg and would not be able to help with the crop. Oh no, thought the man. Now we will starve to death.

Once again, the farmer went to the wise man. This time he said, “How did you know that capturing my horse was not a good thing? You were right again. My son is injured and won’t be able to help with the crop. This time I’m sure that this is the worst thing that could have possibly happened. You must agree this time.” But, just as he had done before, the wise man calmly looked at the farmer and in a compassionate tone replied once again, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

Enraged that the wise man could be so ignorant, the farmer stormed back to the village. The next day troops arrived to take every able-bodied man to the war that had just broken out. The farmer’s son was the only young man in the village who didn’t have to go. He would live, while the others would surely die.

The moral of this story provides a powerful lesson. The truth is, we don’t know what’s going to happen—we just think we do. Often we make a big deal out of something. We blow up scenarios in our minds about all the terrible things that are going to happen. Most of the time we are wrong. If we keep our cool and stay open to possibilities, we can be reasonably certain that, eventually, all will be well.

Remember: maybe so, maybe not.”
― Richard Carlson (Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff).
Perfect!
 
It's not a life or death matter for me but as I looked over some threads this afternoon I noticed a peculiar thing. People would give out "likes" and "hugs" etc. to posters with completely opposing views! To me, it's strange. If I don't like something, even though I like the poster, I won't give it a "like!"

How can you put your "like" on someone's post even if you disagree with it and another "like" on a post you like? At the same time? Are you liking them just for posting, or because you like them personally? Doesn't that make whatever we post irrelevant?
I give a like to a well argued post, even if I happen to disagree. What I am liking is the civility of the argument.

It's the teacher and parent in me - praise the behaviour that is positive and ignore the opposite. 🫣
 
If I start a thread, I know some people will disagree with me but I respect them anyway and will give their response a like in gratitude. I don't see anything wrong with this. In fact, I think more people should get along with those they disagree with and focus on our similarities as human beings instead of our differences.
I was going to point that out, too. Some of us click *like* on anyone's comment when it's on a thread we posted as a "thank you for commenting."

I do, unless it's unkind or unrelated. That's not to say I have an issue with people going off-topic. I don't mind that at all. But I don't thank people with a *like* if they're being a jerk.
 


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