Facebook Needs a “Sympathy” Button
If you’ve ever posted some sad news on Facebook, you might’ve watched as the status received a few likes followed immediately by comments such as, “Liked for sympathy” or “I’m only liking this out of support.”
It’s not surprising that a gesture meant to stand on its own needs a little explanation when the post in question is negative rather than positive or neutral. “Like” is an odd verb to use when someone’s talking about their recently deceased pet or a crappy day at work, but a thread full of identical comments reading “Sorry to hear that” seems almost as awkward.
I’ve got to say, if you are capable of noticing Facebook reactions, your news ain’t that bad. And if people in your life need Facebook buttons to express their support, maybe it’s time to get rid of them.
““I’m only liking this out of support.””
If someone says this does it mean they think you don’t have good pectorals?
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I don’t want to “improve” Facebook… I want to eliminate it.
BTW is “Facebok” and Anglo-Norwegian version? Facebok is certainly more fun to say.
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I want to go hunting “Facebok” in the highveld … 🙂
[puts on my trusty Elmer Fudd outfit because we’re hunting Facebok …]
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My typo turned out to be the most exciting thing about this subject. 🙂
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I like facebook. How else will I be able find out what funny stuff the cats of my friends, family, workmates and acquaintances have been doing recently?
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Yes, and also, how will we know which motivational platitude is trending at the moment?
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