Sign up FAST with Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn! Sign Up Login

The Limitations of 'Liking' - Technology - The Atlantic Wire

Interesting discussion of that awkward "like" step.

Sharing things on social media that you don't necessarily feel positive towards can be tricky when you're limited to a "like" button... Anyways, be sure to click through to Erik's comment and "like" it! (Or just plain old reply.)

Pandawhale's choice of "Props" is quite lovely in this regard. "Heart" and "+" seem so derivative by comparison. What other forms of "ACK" are out there?

6:55 PM Jul 24 2012

Props Given:
4

There are Twitter STARS and Tumblr HEARTS.

I'm still not quite sure what LIKE means.

Does it mean I like something, or that I like like it?

7:41 PM Jul 24 2012

Props Given:
3

Then there were those awkward "like" responses to Steve Jobs passing, for example. Then I'm all, like, OMG, stab me in the heart, why don't you.

7:48 PM Jul 24 2012

Props Given:
2

Not sure if like means I like the subject of the status or the whole status!

8:51 AM Jul 25 2012

I just liked negative news last night too. It is a weird thing to acknowledge a friend working late by liking it.

10:07 AM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
2

So in that case like means "I like you and your work ethic". :)

10:41 AM Jul 25 2012

Not sure if liking a sad Facebook status shows support or if it means I like their sadness.

Thank you, Philip J. Fry.

Not-sure-if-liking-a-sad-facebook-status

2:25 PM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
3

The Props looks good but it's not as simple as 'Like'.

It is even hard to understand at first sight for someone whose first language is not English.

Aren't there simpler alternatives to 'props'?

7:28 AM Jul 25 2012

There's a lot of news stories out there that have a "See what our readers thing. This story makes me feel..." happy, sad, exhilarated, bored, excited, worried, angry, etc.

I see it from time to time, but I can never figure out which newspaper it was or what company does it. I think it was the Philly enquirer or something, but may have seen it on the online LA times.

I thought that feedback system was awesome.

7:46 AM Jul 25 2012

Well, we could replace Props with the Smile / Wink / Surprised / Sad emoticons of Path.

Props is meant to convey respect for the comment.

You give someone Props if they expressed something well.

But I will think about it. Even replacing Props with a Heart might be an improvement.

8:53 AM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
1

Akshully, MY point was that I really like appreciate "props."

Here's my reasoning: I think it elevates the discussion. There's a lot of thinkin' going on here at PandaWhale. That's why it's worth the time. "Props" is as simple to deliver as a "like." I believe (or at least wikipedia tells me so) that "Props" comes from the notion of giving proper respect. It's as if the giver were to tip a hat to the recipient. Maybe it does seem a little more erudite, but hey, it's also an indication of the more serious level of discussion -- even as we have some fun.

If I were to make any suggestion for change, it would be to highlight that difference, perhaps in a separate discussion or page of its own and... well.. a little graphics work. That stuff can come later. I think the concept is more important right now, and I do think "props" is good positioning for the PandaWhale.

Growing up, I remember Winston cigarettes creating conversation but using the poor grammar of their slogan "Tastes good like a cigarette should" (instead of "as a cigarette should") to establish themselves as regular folks. Quoting from wikipedia again ("props," Jimmy Wales!)

The deliberate use of "like" rather than "as" was provided by the William Esty Ad Agency, and the overall campaign was directed by Esty executives Wendell Adams and Arline Lunny, Lunny serving as producer/director of most of the visual and recording production related to the campaign in its initial years.

9:10 AM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
2

Thank you Barbara!

Agreed that our graphics must be improved.

Trying to figure out the right feeling and emotion for Props is hard.

I'm open to suggestions.

9:33 AM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
1

You're right to take your time. Concept first, graphics are execution.

10:19 AM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
1

Well, if you do have any ideas, I'm open to them.

10:40 AM Jul 25 2012

Or you can do the catch-22 thing with feathers and blackeyes....

9:12 AM Jul 25 2012

Props Given:
2

Feathers and blackeyes?

3:09 AM Oct 23 2012

How about something like a silhouette of a bowing guy tipping his hat. Something like a silhouette of a Planters peanut-like guy, doing a respectful bow and hat tip.

8:22 AM Oct 23 2012

Props Given:
1

Barbara I like that! Mr. Peanut in a respectful bow is always a good idea.

6:57 PM Oct 24 2012

Props Given:
1

A respectful hat tip, my good sir.

5:18 AM Oct 25 2012

Props Given:
1

You May Also Like:

STASHES