Response to "Facebook Changes Like Language to Increase Engagement"

This article discusses Facebook's "like" feature which offers Facebook users a convenient method of interaction that is less involved than a full-fledged comment. The article focuses on the use of the "like" feature in relation to becoming a fan of a Facebook page, but I feel like there is a lot more to discuss about the "like" feature itself.

In many ways, this new feature has contributed to a certain level of laziness in social interaction. Prior to the creation of this feature, friends had to expend the time and energy to think of a somewhat relevant response to a user's status updates. But now users can simply "like" one's activity and go about their merry way. This article claims that the "like" feature is a "lightweight method" that requires "no heavy investment," but I feel that this feature is also detrimental to deep, meaningful social interaction as well. Social interaction should require more than just a click of a button.

On another note, the "like" feature also allows a user to discern the level of friendship and "connectedness" with the people who respond to one's profile activity. Often (but not always), close friends will make the effort to comment on status updates while casual acquaintances (or complete randos) will only "like" the update and refrain from commenting. It's interesting how a seemingly simple feature such as the "like" button can shed light on significant social consequences.