Obsidian social dynamics question

[Walsingham]

I was just wondering if the introduction of the 'like' button had met an observable:

 

1) Rise in overall posting

2) An individual rise in posting among some users

3) A change in tempo of posting (i.e. pulses)

 

Idle interest for me, but the results could be interesting in general social scientific terms. I'm thinking there would be a rise amongst certain users, with likes functioning as rewards. 

[WorstUsernameEver]

It makes me feel guilty because I always forget to like good posts

[Malcador]

There is a need for a dislike button, the hate must flow.

[Gfted1]

Those questions have no relevance unless you ask which country Im from.

 

Joking aside, its an interesting line of thought. I wouldnt be at all surprised that the "like" button increases a persons posting as at its root its simply a form of positive reinforcement.

[Humanoid]

So can I spend likes to buy hats and stuff in Project Eternity?

[Amentep]

So can I spend likes to buy hats and stuff in Project Eternity?

 

No, but the person with the most likes gets a special in-game "Most Liked" Sash to wear.*

 

*Offer void where prohibited.  Sash may appear invisible on some monitors.

[GhostofAnakin]

It makes me feel guilty because I always forget to like good posts

 

I just assume that everyone has that same mindset when reading my posts.  Because every single one of my posts deserve multiple likes.

[LadyCrimson]

I've always gone with the feeling that things like the Like button overall decreases true social back and forth, because as time goes on, more and more people just hit the Like button vs. actually responding to the post with something that may inspire more responses/conversations.

[Walsingham]

Actually that was my fallback theory, LC.

[Amentep]

I find the "like" button to be an amenable substitute for the overwhelming urge to post "me too!" or "lol" to be honest.

[BruceVC]

I enjoy the "like" button, I do have to restrain myself from using it too much as I enjoy many comments. I also "like" a post if it makes me laugh

 

Oh and really humorous posts I'll post a   or a

Edited June 25, 2013 by BruceVC

[kirottu]

I find the "like" button to be an amenable substitute for the overwhelming urge to post "me too!" or "lol" to be honest.

 

I agree.

[LadyCrimson]

I find the "like" button to be an amenable substitute for the overwhelming urge to post "me too!" or "lol" to be honest.

[BruceVC]

 

I find the "like" button to be an amenable substitute for the overwhelming urge to post "me too!" or "lol" to be honest.

 

 

 Double

[Deraldin]

I've always gone with the feeling that things like the Like button overall decreases true social back and forth, because as time goes on, more and more people just hit the Like button vs. actually responding to the post with something that may inspire more responses/conversations.

You have no idea how tempted I was to simply like your post and not reply at all.

[Rostere]

I just raid thread after thread and like all the posts I well, like. I think I like stuff more than I post. Generally I do this on the PE forums as encouragement for ideas. Did you guys know you can run out of likes to hand out? It's happened to me several times.

[Labadal]

I just "Liked" every post in this thread. I can't like my own post. But I can give it a 

[Gorth]

Vanity is creating alt accounts to give yourself likes.

 

I probably fall somewhere in between LC and Amentep. Sometimes I feel guilty for not reciprocating likes, sometimes I do it if I genuinely like a post, sometimes just as a note, that I read a post and enjoyed the answer, but didn't know how to continue a line of discussion. As for my own posting, quantity, style etc. I don't think I've moved one inch in any direction. Some old dogs can't be arsed to learn new tricks.

 

Isn't that 'Like' thing a Facebook contraption anyway?

[Zoraptor]

I don't use 'likes' personally. I tend to think that if you like a post you reply- and there's a difference between liking something and finding it worthwhile. Someone can argue a point that you strenuously disagree with well and that certainly makes it worthwhile even if you can't really like it, because that implies agreement. If I think something posted is worthless or I just don't care enough/ have nothing worthwhile to add then I don't reply, if I care enough or think something is worthwhile then I do (with limitations, I do not read a lot of threads at all).

 

Only times I've really been tempted to 'like' something is humourous stuff like the oh so awesome King Spider in the arachnophobia thread.

 

I am kind of curious about what kinds of posts and threads people 'like' most, and whether it would coincide with my preconceived notions.

[Wombat]

I tend to go for designers' profiles, first, and do search for their recent posts (BTW, why is there no developer search yet?).  If you don't frequent the boards, it's the easiest way to avoid repeated discussions while I am most likely to miss some potentially interesting posts.  As a result, I end up with just "liking" some key posts by the designers even when I don't wholeheartedly agree with them.  So, yes, guess I regard them as worthwhile rather than really liking them.  In most cases, just "liking" suffices mainly because some people have already come up with possible discussions in many cases and even liking a post may appear rather "political" than encouraging.  Especially after I got clear view of my own standpoints, I'm not into being involved with any form of "political" disputes.  For winning or losing an argument is irrelevant especially if it doesn't serve for the game development purpose directly or indirectly (I don't visit a game board for any other motive).

[Walsingham]

Hang on, so we're saying we use them to indicate:

 

- enjoyment (laughs)

- gratitude (points well made)

- allegiance (devs)

[Gorth]

Wait for it... wait for it... enlightenment is almost there

[Malcador]

I thought people just used them if they liked a post. Beats the old way of posting 'QFT' or some other kiss-ass type remark

[Lexx]

I've always gone with the feeling that things like the Like button overall decreases true social back and forth, because as time goes on, more and more people just hit the Like button vs. actually responding to the post with something that may inspire more responses/conversations.

I hate this on facebook so much. You spend time on a quality rage and all that happens is people pressling "like" instead of commenting. It kills discussion, imo. I hate it so much.

[Sensuki]

I don't like the like button, I never use it and I also really dislike the posting code. Instead of the normal way of posting I now have to switch to the pure code method to respond on the forum the way I am used to from the last 13 years I've been using internet forums and I don't have access to any of the ease of use features (bold, italic etc). This is really frustrating.