The evils of the Like button
In reference to Neil Strauss’s post on WSJ regarding how the “Like” culture is basically turning us into conforming zombies of the internet. I think he is both right and wrong. Here’s why.
My friend Dyea retweeted a post from Smashing Magazine referencing a post on WSJ about the dangers of “Like” popularity. I recognized the author, but couldn’t remember where from exactly until I looked at his bio and realized he authored the band Mötley Crüe’s biography “The Dirt” (which was a great read if you’re feeling nostalgic).
Mr. Strauss begins the article talking about the back story of content on the internet and how it used to be a place where you could come to state your point of view. It argues that now, it has been hijacked by advertising and is just a breeding ground for greed. While I understand that what the author wants is a pure internet where only good things and good/creative things happen, it just isn’t that way and it is absurd to think that it or anything can remain pure or what he deems pure. The author seems to be saying that you can either live in a fictional world where only good things happen or you live in a capitalistic world. I believe he confuses ambition with greed.
The author goes on to say that we are beginning to only view what is recommended to us by services like StumbleUpon, Facebook, Twitter, or Digg. What he doesn’t mention is that you are free to choose your interests in StumbleUpon, friends in Facebook, and followers on Twitter. None of these services puts content in your stream(s) that you don’t ask for. The exceptions are Promoted Tweets in Twitter and ads in Facebook. Digg has a different way of displaying content where the most popular stories are prominently featured first. I believe this is what the author is referring to.
I don’t think the author gives us as much credit as we deserve for seeking out information, and just sees us as lazy readers who won’t take the time to search out all the points of view of an issue. This is false, but I will say that many viewers don’t take that extra time and only read what is spoon fed to them. This is why you still get emails on how Facebook will start charging for it’s service or how Obama is paying for the resettlement of Hamas refugees to the U.S. Most viewers take what is given to them as gospel and just blindly pass it on.
I believe this is the point the author is trying to make; take the time to seek out the truth. Don’t rely on your friends’ “+1″ or “Like” for confirmation about a subject. Go seek out all the sides and draw your own conclusions.