To like or not to like

To like a post is to like the person. Or to signal your affection. Or to signal you care.

But should it?

Should you like something because it matters to the other? One perspective is,  obviously you should. That is what a kind person would do. A low cost act that brings happiness to someone - why not?

Another perspective is, obviously you should not - you are validating the other person's addiction to 'likes'. We are all addicted to likes. And we all need intervention. Maybe the kind thing would be to not 'like' the post.

The third perspective is, damn - if I like the 10th photo of a baby/ wedding/ travel pics, facebook algorithm will feed me more of it until all that remains of the feed is these pictures of important milestones/ happy moments of others but which are also wholly inconsequential to me. And as my addiction grows, i will be submerged in trivialities and inconsequential projections of others.

So choices are -
1. Contribute (or not) to the momentary dopamine surge of the other
2. Intervene (or not) with inaction - Contribute in weaning away from likes
3. Submerge (or not) in trivialities of others.

I Guess,
Don't 'like' unless you like.  
Give affection if you need affection.
Care, if you want to be cared.
But then there are more eloquent ways to give affection and show that you care.


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