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Over the brief span of days that comprise the rebirth of these forums I have observed members of this community championing the hashtag #IncreaseTheLikes. The premise seems to be that the like limit is an artificial construct and unnaturally limits the sharing of respect, appreciation, agreement and positive vibes granted to a given user by other users. Champions of the hashtag would like the limit to be raised dramatically or done away with entirely.
At this point, I will admit to some confusion. It stems from two points. The first being that likes are in themselves an artificial construct of the forums, a shortcut to some manner of expression so believing that a limit to them is unnatural seems counter-intuitive to me. The second is that likes are fundamentally frivolous legerdemain designed to bolster our naturally flagging psyche in the face of the uncaring and meaningless void that comprises our lives and, more locally, the Internet, so who cares if they are restricted?
They are empty of meaning. Think about it. Do you actually appreciate the content of, that is to say "like," that post? Or did it merely momentarily distract you from the drudgery of your existence by giving you a transient glimpse of humour or intelligence or life and it is this is what you are showing appreciation for? Why are these basic capabilities of the human cognitive process worth recognition? When we call their names, we don't reward dogs for recognizing the noise of whatever drivel comes out of our mouths as a signifier for themselves, so why are you rewarding the (often faulty) construction of a reasoned chain of thoughts?
And make no mistake, it is a reward. The next time you notice the little number next to the bell at the top of your screens, analyse the feeling of realizing that you've been liked and you will find that little twinge of pleasure that goes all the way back to getting a candy for using the toilet all by yourself. And the continued dispensation of rewards in this manner results in classical conditioning to produce content of similar value - that is to say, none.
You can understand my confusion that people want to further perpetuate and water down this cycle of essentially worthless content by increasing the number of likes or in fact removing the limit altogether. Why, if you could like anything, there'd be likes on gifs regurgitated from Imgur associated with situations in Hawken. And not even wittily associated! Conditioning ourselves to appreciate mediocre content, a bare break from the dull bleakness of our everyday lives, is slavery to an artificial construct devoid of our input.
Rather than surrendering to the conditioning, you can take charge. Refuse to be heartened by the bare blips on the electroencephalogram that comprise basic human cognitive processes. Look at your fellow posters and realize that 99% of what comes out of their mouths is tripe and not worth appreciating. Is that the quality of thought that you want to hold others to? Do you want others to think so little of you that managing to associate a gif of 300 with holding the AA is worth a reward in their eyes? Think less of the mundane, and recognise only the truly exceptional. Fight the indolence you have been habituated into with alertness and critical thought. Demand a reward of real substance for your excellence, not the diluted, endless likes of the intellectually tepid. Hold yourself, your brothers and your sisters to a higher standard!
You Are Free to Fight.
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