Suggestion: Add 'Like' button to posts

Can somebody describe the type and extent of the engagement they are hoping for please .
Most comments I`ve read a merely a long winded way of saying I like the picture.
I may be missing something here .
 
I am split on this:

for once I very much appreciate feedback, and I am very happy if someone likes a photo of mine and tells me so. This specially and more so here than at any other place in the net that I am active in. This because the RFF for me is the site with the best photographers that I know of and I am active in, the best place where I can and do learn from feedback.

Which first makes me like "like buttons"..

but: it could, emphasis is on "could", make people lazy to add some more detailed, helpful comment and leave it at pressing the like button only.
I also imagine the opposite effect though: The like button encourages feedback, but any time one feels that the "like" isn't enough one even may feel encouraged to leave a more detailed critique or words of appreciation.

My suggestion therefore:
Make it a trial period of a fixed duration and have it announced and explained well ahead that after e.g. 2 months there will be a binding vote of all members if the like button shall be continued or again done away with.
 
I don't like it. Photography should not be a competition, and likes for unknown reasons are meaningless. RFF is a flourishing little niche of the internet where we don't care much about what the internet mainstream does, and we have something for many different even more niche interests here. Why would we want a mechanism that encourages pleasing the largest number of people, drying out niches? It's against the spirit of this place.
 
I don't like the idea of making this place more like Facebook, but, given that it is me, that’s as predictable as I am. People do change their behavior, once you turn social arenas into Skinner boxes, and not in a good way. The worst consequence isn’t a like or two showing up at the bottom of one post; the worst are sites that list, next to your name the total number of “likes” you have managed to acquire. At which point the site becomes only a subconscious, semi-conscious popularity contest, with winners and losers. That should be obvious, and research has done more than “suggest” that the psychological effect is detrimental.

And, typing out “Nice shot, Mike” is a lot more personal than just hitting a button, it’s going to mean more to the recipient. Especially if his name is Mike. If a photo or written post isn’t worth even that much effort, well what does that say?

Besides, if there are 5 “likes” ascribed to a post, and the referenced photo seems charmless, pointless, and ill-considered, you’ll never know who the neanderthals (not saying anyone here, only over at DPR) were that liked it. If they had instead written out a response indicating that they loved the photo, then you would know who they are, information which will allow you to laugh to yourself if any of them later criticizes your ability, judgment, or
understanding of world history. Lots to think about, regarding this whole “likes” question!

Just seems like adding another layer of angst to me. Only five likes today! After so much work! Need more Prozac.
 
I see an unfortunate trend towards abuse of the "Like" button on some other forums. Not necessarily photography forums, mind you. The posts which get the most "Likes" are the ones where the is a debate or an argument going on, and people anonymously (or not so anonymously) pick sides by "liking" whichever person's position they agree with. Which I think is usually not the purpose the forum owners had in mind by creating the "Like" button.
 
Yes … that makes sense Larry.
I`ve never read anything more into "likes" than …. someone likes it.
If people take that as a measure of worth based on the number they get I can see that as being detrimental.
 
Larry Cloetta said:
I don't like the idea of making this place more like Facebook, but, given that it is me, that’s as predictable as I am. People do change their behavior, once you turn social arenas into Skinner boxes, and not in a good way. The worst consequence isn’t a like or two showing up at the bottom of one post; the worst are sites that list, next to your name the total number of “likes” you have managed to acquire. At which point the site becomes only a subconscious, semi-conscious popularity contest, with winners and losers. That should be obvious, and research has done more than “suggest” that the psychological effect is detrimental.

And, typing out “Nice shot, Mike” is a lot more personal than just hitting a button, it’s going to mean more to the recipient. Especially if his name is Mike. If a photo or written post isn’t worth even that much effort, well what does that say?

Besides, if there are 5 “likes” ascribed to a post, and the referenced photo seems charmless, pointless, and ill-considered, you’ll never know who the neanderthals (not saying anyone here, only over at DPR) were that liked it. If they had instead written out a response indicating that they loved the photo, then you would know who they are, information which will allow you to laugh to yourself if any of them later criticizes your ability, judgment, or
understanding of world history. Lots to think about, regarding this whole “likes” question!

Just seems like adding another layer of angst to me. Only five likes today! After so much work! Need more Prozac.
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Well said Larry, I fully agree, you explained in clear words what was my thinking, grazie!
 
If I think about features I would want to see, a "Like" button is way down the list... How about image hosting as was discussed during the last planned upgrade... which sank into the ocean like Charles "Chucky" Signore.
 
How about a scale -5 to +5? Maybe for photos a few categories: composition, subject, tonality, overall impression, etc. For those who don't want criticism (positive or negative), maybe an opt out choice. Of course we are talking a lot of work. I agree with the point that "hey, that's nice Mike" is more personal, just do not see it too often (and I probably do not do it often enough). Maybe we are all too busy. Of course, it's not my site, and I like it regardless...
 
markjwyatt said:
I agree with the point that "hey, that's nice Mike" is more personal, just do not see it too often (and I probably do not do it often enough). Maybe we are all too busy.
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That's my observation. There doesn't seem to be a lot of direct engagement as it is on the RFF image threads, with most people just posting an image of their own rather than responding to other's work (I'm guilty of this as well).

The quality of images shared here is very high, but engagement on those images tends to be pretty poor.
 
Doug said:
Would we post in such a way as to evoke Likes? Would the possibility of Likes affect how we behave on the forum?
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Possibly ... but there is nothing wrong with affirmation. I'd be in favour of it and I'm actually a little surprised that it hasn't happened yet.
 
Keith said:
Possibly ... but there is nothing wrong with affirmation. I'd be in favour of it and I'm actually a little surprised that it hasn't happened yet.
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Isn't affirmation of one image rejection of another? It all seems pointlessly competitive or attention seeking or something to me. Enjoy images for the enjoyment, you don't need to say anything unless you feel compelled to.

I couldn't imagine a gallery with a like button under each exhibit.
 
Larry Cloetta said:
Don’t give people ideas.
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LOL, as I typed it out I was wondering to myself if it's Marina Abramovic's next project.

Likes just strike me personally as robotic and vapid and automaton. The likes endure after the human race goes extinct, after the images have faded, we still have our likes he hee.
 
Montag said:
Isn't affirmation of one image rejection of another? It all seems pointlessly competitive or attention seeking or something to me. Enjoy images for the enjoyment, you don't need to say anything unless you feel compelled to.
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By that logic, if you comment positively on one image are you rejecting all the other images you don't comment on?

Likewise, you don't need to click 'like' unless you feel compelled to...

Of course it's attention seeking. Why on earth would you share images on a public forum if you didn't want to draw attention to them?
 
Someone above suggested trialing it which makes sense to me. I'm surprised at the amount of people who think there is harm in it and see it as a negative ... probably large format shooters!

That last comment was a joke by the way :)
 
If for whatever reason RFF decides to go the way of the “Like” I hope there's an option in the user control panel for individuals to remove the “Like” option from their profile. I’m not interested in giving or receiving anonymous feedback. Not that I think "Like" is much of a feedback.

All the best,
Mike
 
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