Should there be a 'like' button?

[Susan]

Another person recently posted what turned out to be a somewhat controversial discussion topic of the book, achieving many responses to the posting.

I read through the comments and often wished there was a 'like' button that I could click to show I appreciated a particular comment or insight. Unfortunately, there is only a 'rely'. Replying can be useful if you would like to add to the discussions but I do not like to use it just to say 'I agree' as it clogs, rather than contributes, to the feed (though I have done this anyway on occasion).

Is there anyone else who would like to just 'like' a comment without having to 'reply' to it? Is there a way to ask Goodreads to add this function?

[Ken]

I'd rather goodreads not turn into facebook.

What utility is gained by a like button? Surely you have more to contribute than assent?

[Susan]

Yes, as I noted; if I have more to contribute then I use the reply button. But, sometimes I just want to agree. Surely, none of us owes the goodreads community a full comment every time?

[Elizabeth]

IMHO, I don't see the point of it. It's just a habit we've gotten into from other websites, but it doesn't add anything to the discussion. The best comments should just stand on their own, we don't need to see how many people liked them. And if there's an option to "like", should there also be an option to "dislike"? It would reduce intelligent discussions into all-out wars or popularity contests.
I once got a private message from someone in response to a comment I made, that just said basically they appreciated my insight and was glad that somebody out there felt the same way...they didn't have anything to add, they just didn't want to hijack a discussion, but felt like letting me know that they read what I wrote. That meant more to me than a like or upvote. So whenever I really, really wish I could click "like" on something, I just send a personal message. People really seem to appreciate it so far.

[Ken]

Right on Elizabeth!

[Susan]

OK - then I think there could be an 'agree' button.

The point was NOT about 'how many likes' there are. The point IS about wanting to agree with someone's comment without clogging up the feed with 'I agree' comments...

Apparently, while scoffing at other websites' habits people are still willing to keep up the trolling tradition.

[Ken]

I don't think it's trolling to disagree. YMMV.

[Courtney]

Kenneth wrote: "I'd rather goodreads not turn into facebook.

What utility is gained by a like button? Surely you have more to contribute than assent?"

I agree Kenneth, there have been moments where I did want to simply like a comment, and not having that function forced me to be more involved in the discussion.

[Susan]

Kenneth wrote: "I don't think it's trolling to disagree. YMMV."

It's not trolling to disagree. It is, however, trolling to set-up straw person arguments to 'prove' disagreement to a point which had not been made.

E.g. I had not thought about the 'get more involved in the discussion' point. I'm not sure I agree; sometimes I do just want to show support to a comment without adding more comments. But, my uncertainty about whether I agree or not does not make the point 'trolling' as it is contributing to the discussion.

On the other hand, noting that I was trying to have a 'see how many likes a comment could get' button had nothing to do with the original point that I was trying to make...

[Elisa Santos]

Not having the like button allows me to be more envolved in the discussion. You really have to think if you just agree with a comment or if you have something more to add - this is a plus: GR is not like other websites, this is a site for book-lovers that like to express themselves.

So, in answer, no, it´s best that it doesn´t have a like button.

[Elizabeth]

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying YOU are a teenage girl on facebook trying to get as many likes as possible. I don't see when I said that.You may just use the like button as an "agree" button, but that doesn't mean everyone else will. I feel like an agreement button for comments will at best be pointless, and worst be abused by spammers, sockpuppets, and trolls. We can already "like" people's Goodreads statuses,reviews, etc. Discussions on Goodreads are for discussing. I am with you on preventing people from just crowding up an already long thread with "I know,right, Lol" ect, but I don't think an "agree" button would even cut down on it. Some people just don't have the common sense God gave geese, and will keep on ignoring comment thread courtesy.

[Carrie]

No. No like button. I will thumbs down it.