“Like” buttons are used so flippantly. Do you really think a blog is funny? Click “like”. The writer will be ecstatic. Do you really think the Facebook eCard joke was humorous? Click “like”. You’ll send the message that you appreciate the little joke. Do you really think that the picture of the puppy was cute? Click “like”. You animal lover, you. Do you think the post was boring/ignorant/stupid/mushy but it was posted by a friend? Click “like.” Everyone needs a loyal friend.
Do you really think that the comment on the strife in Baltimore was timely? Click “like”.
Did you actually read the article in the New York Times about the Mistrial in Baltimore’s Porter Case? No matter, click “like.” You’ll seem politically savvy, well-read and knowledgeable about current events.
What if we had a “like” button for our life decisions? ❤ I love it. Oops, I mean “like” it.
But what if a decision reflected a poor personal choice? A definite “dislike.”
At work one day, I wrote and sent an email in anger. Within 30 seconds an administrator flew into my office and I got a verbal bashing. Click “dislike.” What about yelling at my child because he/she mildly misbehaved but I was tired and in a foul mood?
Yay! The Principal loved my idea.
I hit my annual formal observation out of the ballpark!
All of the above examples are fairly minor. They show some personal shallowness, which we all demonstrate occasionally, but are mild and universal.
But what about bigger decisions? Making a decision that is hopefully right for you but will break someone’s heart. Agonizing about your parental decisions. Feeling guilty about personal choices that go against ingrained religious beliefs. Being horribly conflicted about abortion. Making the decision to change your life path towards or away from sobriety. Making a job change. Putting your family first.
I must accept the natural consequences of my behavior. I must strip away all the mental and emotional clutter to the basic act of making conscious decisions with my conscience as a guidepost.
I need a personal “like” button.
saneteachers 
I feel guilty pressing the like button but I did enjoy the post..:)
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I’m ecstatic that you pressed it…I do appreciate it!
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Facebook should have a “dislike” button too. Sometimes I’ll press Like to let someone know I saw something, but it doesn’t necessarily mean I liked it! (I liked this, though).
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I do the same. But it just seems wrong when I press “like” and don’t actually like it. Thanks for reading and commenting on this! (and liking it)
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Like.
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Lol
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As you write, the point is not to click flippantly, just out of habit. I try to click only if I do agree with what I read, or see a valid, well-defended point might not agree with. But it seems that blogging etiquette requires “like” just to acknowledge a reply, or am I wrong? As to life decisions, some things we do are immediate likes/dislikes, some need further reflection on. Btw olease check my Dec 17 post on which I “challenged” you to come up with a quote 🙂 On whatever you choose …
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I will check it out immediately. I agree with what you said about blogging etiquette above, but I still feel shallow clicking it. I do, however, read articles about which I’ve clicked like thoroughly, and hope that a number of my clicks are “for real.” As to the life decisions, I’m hoping that if we were to have the like/dislike, that would be like a brake for further reflection. Great comments, thanks!
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(that was “… defended point I might …” and “Btw please …”. I think I need to change my keyboard 😦
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haha I just said to my husband this morning, why do I have to be annoyed twice by autocorrect? Both on my English keyboard and my Spanish keyboard. Double dislike.
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😦 😦
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The double dislike was to acknowledge my double annoyance of autocorrect. Not to your comment. For the comment it is a definite like.
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my double no-likes were a visual illustration to agree with your annoyance 🙂
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This post was shit but I hit the “like” button because you are a friend. Hahahahaha. Seriously, I think the exact same way about the “like” button.
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Hahaha
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Another interesting and poignant post. I always love reading the posts about truly horrible things that people have liked. I know that they don’t “like” the event, but it does make me laugh…
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There needs to be an “I like the fact that you posted this but the topic is horrifying and I condemn it” button.
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The like button it basically a pat on the head because like a pat on the head, it can be done in almost all situations.
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Good analogy. But can I get a pat on the head if I make a really bad decision?
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That’s when the “pat” turns into a “whack” haha
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Perfect
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