miguel camacho!
New member
I guess it hasn't just been implemented recently, but I feel as though there is sometimes a destructive manner in which the "like" button is used. It's not just here, it's everywhere, and I haven't seen the issue addressed.
I'm sure the intent for the like button is innocent. It's a way to reduce clutter on the forums, a simple way of saying you like something, maybe even a way of giving thanks to people for sharing photos, information, facts, opinions, etc.
However, there seems to be a somewhat sinister way in which the like button is used. Here, as with any online forum, users often enter - and I'm sure in a civil manner are encouraged to - debate. I see where it creates a divide and starts to show the parties who want to express their side of debates without having to reiterate what other people have said. But in some cases these debates turn into arguments, sometimes personal. The way that users may dog-pile onto one side of the argument may end up leaving members feeling ostracized. I know we're all welcome to our own opinions, for we would not be individuals without them. But sometimes it appears to me as though the like button is used at higher frequency in heated (read borderline to straight up uncivil) arguments.
This is not a request to remove the like button, but more of a request for responsible thought before use. Sometimes I look to the left and see the small web-footed gecko from the GU 2011 calendar and maybe chuckle because his expression somehow reminds me of the firey passion many have for the hobby, but also sometimes the eagerness people have to jump aboard one side of a conversation to put off another GU member. Remember, we're all here with common goals: sharing information and improving knowledge.
The bickering between sides has really put me off over the years. Healthy debate is welcome, but too often all it takes is for one person to get defensive/offensive before everyone lets loose and acts like a child. Sure, there's not really an age restriction here, but I like to think that we all have the ability (responsibility?) to act as adults. Let's try to act on that. If you can't respect a difference of opinion, reconsider making that click of the submit button. And to help our community here at Geckos Unlimited grow rather than facilitate fracturing off more specialized gecko forums, consider if hitting the "like" button is really doing anything good. Not everyone is a seasoned pro, and we're all still learning as we go. Try to make a more meaningful contribution before you scroll through a thread to "like" your buddies' posts...because sometimes I see posts with high "like" counts being the most offensive and/or damaging.
I'm sure the intent for the like button is innocent. It's a way to reduce clutter on the forums, a simple way of saying you like something, maybe even a way of giving thanks to people for sharing photos, information, facts, opinions, etc.
However, there seems to be a somewhat sinister way in which the like button is used. Here, as with any online forum, users often enter - and I'm sure in a civil manner are encouraged to - debate. I see where it creates a divide and starts to show the parties who want to express their side of debates without having to reiterate what other people have said. But in some cases these debates turn into arguments, sometimes personal. The way that users may dog-pile onto one side of the argument may end up leaving members feeling ostracized. I know we're all welcome to our own opinions, for we would not be individuals without them. But sometimes it appears to me as though the like button is used at higher frequency in heated (read borderline to straight up uncivil) arguments.
This is not a request to remove the like button, but more of a request for responsible thought before use. Sometimes I look to the left and see the small web-footed gecko from the GU 2011 calendar and maybe chuckle because his expression somehow reminds me of the firey passion many have for the hobby, but also sometimes the eagerness people have to jump aboard one side of a conversation to put off another GU member. Remember, we're all here with common goals: sharing information and improving knowledge.
The bickering between sides has really put me off over the years. Healthy debate is welcome, but too often all it takes is for one person to get defensive/offensive before everyone lets loose and acts like a child. Sure, there's not really an age restriction here, but I like to think that we all have the ability (responsibility?) to act as adults. Let's try to act on that. If you can't respect a difference of opinion, reconsider making that click of the submit button. And to help our community here at Geckos Unlimited grow rather than facilitate fracturing off more specialized gecko forums, consider if hitting the "like" button is really doing anything good. Not everyone is a seasoned pro, and we're all still learning as we go. Try to make a more meaningful contribution before you scroll through a thread to "like" your buddies' posts...because sometimes I see posts with high "like" counts being the most offensive and/or damaging.
Sorry, I had to do it. Excellent post. A HUGE part of the reason why I gave up working with geckos and gave up this site and forums was the fact that I could no longer deal with the negativity. Sure, I completely burned out selling geckos and wanted the freedom to travel, but I was always utterly dismayed by the splintering of the gecko community. Many of my mentors from the late 1980's are no longer around because they got sick and tired of the drama. I decided to come back on the forums and keep geckos again because I absolutely adore geckos and miss all of the amazing people I became friends with through these forums. I digress...
