[Suggestion] Remove the ability to "Like" posts

[KokonoeAiyoko]

The concept of this function is to see what the consensus thinks on an issue, but in execution what actually happens is people abuse the function to shut down alternative viewpoints and the discussion no longer becomes about the arguments themselves but more-so people trying to the first post to fish for likes which in turn shapes the entire thread.

Forums should be about debating views, not a popularity poll because sometimes the minority views have something to offer and this shuts them out.

[SmokeyTheSequel]

Smdh... cant even have a like symbol on posts anymore without offending someone.

[Snez]

There's no real reason for this to happen.

[HyoMinPark]

You say that the “Like” function offers a way for others to offer consensus on things that were said during a discussion...

If this were to be removed, what would you propose to replace it that would function similarly?
I don’t think any community representatives that read threads want to fish through 50+ “I agree” posts, but rather see a singular post with 50 “Likes” to construe as “50 people obviously agree with this statement”.

You actively point out that some thoughts/opinions are “of the minority”, but then complain when they don’t get the same amount of consensus (or “Likes”) as majority opinions. Doesn’t that... kind of make sense? There are unpopular opinions, and obviously they won’t get the same amount of traction as popular opinions.

People not liking unpopular opinions isn’t anyone “trying to shut down alternate viewpoints” nor is it “abuse of the system”—it’s simply people not agreeing with them.

[whiskeybravo]

What? People who make good points get likes, people who don't.. Don't.

I think I've seen a total of one person referencing the # of likes as a top contributing post in a discussion. In over 5 years.

[Zephera]

Someone's jealous their posts aren't getting as many likes as others I take it? You could just ignore them, they don't do anything really.

[Tempest222]

Smh. Kids these days. Back in my day forums almost always used to have like AND dislike/disagree buttons. I miss those days; having both buttons gives an even more accurate gauge of opinion. Who cares how many internet points you get? It’s only a personal thing if you decide to interpret it that way. Plus, I can’t say I often see number of likes being referenced as an argument anyway.

[HyoMinPark]

Smh. Kids these days. Back in my day forums almost always used to have like AND dislike/disagree buttons. I miss those days; having both buttons gives an even more accurate gauge of opinion. Who cares how many internet points you get? It’s only a personal thing if you decide to interpret it that way. Plus, I can’t say I often see number of likes being referenced as an argument anyway.

I'd say that the only time "Likes" really mattered was for the PLL Q&A thread, as they say they choose questions based on the "Likes" they get... but even then, they don't matter. A question with near 80 likes will be ignored if they simply don't want to answer it.

[Dualgunner]

A) Prove your claims that this is what happens.

B) Don't fall victim to the argumentum ad populum fallacy, even if it's just the other end of it.

[Alistaire]

Smdh... cant even have a like symbol on posts anymore without offending someone.

Exactly. If anything, the fact there's no dislike option here is the main problem with this forum. Presents an incomplete and misleading picture of how viewpoints are received.