Are you discerning with your "likes"?

Nurses General Nursing

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It's been established many years ago that I rely on "likes" as validation of my worth as a valued member of the Allnurses.com community. As such, whenever I get a "like" notification, I go to my dashboard to see who liked what post (yeah, I told you that I have self-esteem issues).

A curious thing I've noticed is that some members will just go through and "like" every post that's on a thread they're reading. I wonder why. Are they just so enthusiastic about the subject matter that they're just all "Hell YEAH!!" to every post?

Alternatively, I will sometimes notice that a particular member will have "liked" several of my posts in several different threads on different boards within a short period of time, and I'll think, "Is Davey Do (or you know, whoever) stalking me?"

So what are you patterns and criteria for "liking" someone else's posts?

Sometimes I wish that there was two different types of "likes"; one regular "like" and one "super-like". Partly because it would make me look a bit less confused since I have a habit of both liking posts I agree with whole-heartedly but can also sometimes "like" posts that are simply presented well but might not mesh with my own personal opinion. Another reason I would like to have a "super-like" option is that sometimes someone writes something that is so brilliant or compassionate or humorous that I want to print a copy of it, frame it and hang it on my wall (well, that might be a tad extreme, but you know what I'm trying to say) and I would like to convey that to the poster with a supersized mega-like :)

Agreed macawake! I would "super-like" your post if I could!

It got me thinking... (Never a good thing;)) What if we had special likes for different circumstances...

An "I-most-emphatically-agree-with-you" like?

A "you-made-me-laugh-so-hard-I'm-cancelling-my-gym-membership" like?

A "feeling-inspired-by-your-post" like?

A "thanks-for-the-info" like?

A "well-put, even-though-I-think-you're-wrong" like?

An "I'm-feeling-you're-pain-and-trying-to-acknowledge-it" like?

The possibilities are endless!!!

Or, we could just stick to the plain-ole-like button and make sure people know that it's got multiple interpretations... Now, I'm thinking again ;)... You know how AN gives you an option to add a reason when you edit a post? Maybe something like that - but just for likes - would be cool...

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Alternatively, I will sometimes notice that a particular member will have "liked" several of my posts in several different threads on different boards within a short period of time, and I'll think, "Is Davey Do (or you know, whoever) stalking me?"

Or maybe you just have a brilliant way of putting things?

But, I "like" your theory too... Much more interesting:)

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I "like" people's posts when I think they're informative or comforting/inspiring to either me, or possibly to the original poster who was in distress. Sometimes multiple people comment in those manners, so it may look as though I've gone through and "liked" every post.

I also "like" any response to my posts (so long as the comment is helpful) to show that I appreciate people taking their time to answer my question. ;)

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I forget the like button is there most of the time, so even if I like a post, I generally don't "like" it.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
It's been established many years ago that I rely on "likes" as validation of my worth as a valued member of the Allnurses.com community. As such, whenever I get a "like" notification, I go to my dashboard to see who liked what post (yeah, I told you that I have self-esteem issues).

Likes used to be called Kudos here on AN.com. They are a sort of stroke exchange which is a common practice in a polite society, and as you say Klone, they reinforce us as individuals.

I'm not sure that we necessarily has issues with our self-esteem as much as we are vigilant about our relationships with our sistren and brethren. Those who have good insight to who we are, are continually checking out how others respond to us.

For example, I am a right-brained jerk and I use others' response to modify or curb my expressions. Not that their response is going to change who I am, but I have no intent to maliciously hurt anyone else and if I do so, it was not an intended action and I will respond accordingly with an appropriate apology.

Likes, on the other hand, are one quick way of communicating a positive response to another's expression.

I truly enjoy this subject and I'm going to enjoy it like a good steak: One bite at a time.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I tend to like posts that are well written or share similar opinions to mine. I would say I'm fairly discerning with my "likes." I do find myself "liking" the same users frequently. I wish more message boards I go to had this feature.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
A curious thing I've noticed is that some members will just go through and "like" every post that's on a thread they're reading. I wonder why. Are they just so enthusiastic about the subject matter that they're just all "Hell YEAH!!" to every post?

Herring, who hangs out mostly on the Blue Side, is like that. But I see her liking every positive post as one who potentiates positive energy.

I've told her on at least one occasion that she is promiscuous with her likes.

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

"So, like, I totally think, you know, when (gum cracks) like people read posts they like, like they totally should like, like them."

There, tons of likes in your thread to load up on.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Alternatively, I will sometimes notice that a particular member will have "liked" several of my posts in several different threads on different boards within a short period of time, and I'll think, "Is Davey Do (or you know, whoever) stalking me?"

Some people, present company suspected, are just interesting individuals.

I am asocial and don't really like too many people that I have deal with. I would rather spend company with an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia than the majority of the population. Most people are really predictably boring in their thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

So, if I find an interesting entity, I like to delve into them and find out what makes them tick.

Consider yourself complimented, Klone.

So what are you patterns and criteria for "liking" someone else's posts?

Now, since I am through responding to your post, I will give it a like. Not only because I like it, but to let you know, one of my criteria for giving a like, that I have read it.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I notice some people think WAY too much about likes...

It has been noted that members who say this have a low like percentile.

For example, one member has over 40,000 post. This member has an equal number of likes, giving them a low like percentile.

Could it be because this member tends to use the "I" word a lot?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Do you feel hurt if someone who usually/often likes your posts doesn't like one, even if they've commented after you? Do you feel bad if you usually like someone's comments but have an occasion where you don't? These are symptoms of a more serious "Like" problem. :yeah:

Perhaps an intervention is necessary here, eh JKL?

This is a support thread that will help with this type of affliction:

AN.com Anonymous | allnurses

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..
It has been noted that members who say this have a low like percentile.

For example, one member has over 40,000 post. This member has an equal number of likes, giving them a low like percentile.

Could it be because this member tends to use the "I" word a lot?

What's the average like percentile?

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