MODs, just a suggestion.

[battersea boy]

We have the "like" button we can use if we agree with or enjoy another members post,so would it not make sense to  have a "dislike" option for just the opposite?
Perhaps this would stop some long drawn out arguments if a member could see if his or her post was mostly liked or disliked.
Not everyone wants to type out a reply everytime,just a one click response is enough sometimes.

[sunburywhite]

Perhaps we could also have one for a Nick Bateman thread where the whole thing blows up

[FFCAli]

I never even look at Nick Bateman threads. Why bother?

[Nick Bateman]

I never even look at Nick Bateman threads. Why bother?

Because your life will be enlightened.

[General]

We have the "like" button we can use if we agree with or enjoy another members post,so would it not make sense to  have a "dislike" option for just the opposite?
Perhaps this would stop some long drawn out arguments if a member could see if his or her post was mostly liked or disliked.
Not everyone wants to type out a reply everytime,just a one click response is enough sometimes.

I hesitate in justifying anything too simplistically and preventing any meaningful engagement. Debate is healthy, and it's good to challenge and have views challenged, not only for the poster, but for the person who agrees/disagrees to see the reasons why. More than anything this is a discussion forum, so, whilst sometimes things veer off into unsavoury or pointless territory, more often than not its respectful and healthy conversation, which should be an aim.

I think a problem with social media is that it's incredibly reductionist and ends up with people, industry and commentators like journalists trying to base arguments off social media likes or dislikes instead of valid arguments..  it then optimises for things that engage those likes instead of proper debate.

The reality also being that you can like or dislike things for a number of reasons, that aren't always discussed or accounted for if you just end up responding with a simple like or dislike button.

Not in favour of it tbh, encourages brainless activity, which isn't good for anyone

[bobbo]

i avoid getting emrboiled in disagreements . but alas some thrive on them . i accept not all will agree with me or anyone else on here . it might sound childish but if i had some of the responses aimed at me that i see on here it would upset me . so i stay out .

[Fulhamight]

We have the "like" button we can use if we agree with or enjoy another members post,so would it not make sense to  have a "dislike" option for just the opposite?
Perhaps this would stop some long drawn out arguments if a member could see if his or her post was mostly liked or disliked.
Not everyone wants to type out a reply everytime,just a one click response is enough sometimes.

I hesitate in justifying anything too simplistically and preventing any meaningful engagement. Debate is healthy, and it's good to challenge and have views challenged, not only for the poster, but for the person who agrees/disagrees to see the reasons why. More than anything this is a discussion forum, so, whilst sometimes things veer off into unsavoury or pointless territory, more often than not its respectful and healthy conversation, which should be an aim.

I think a problem with social media is that it's incredibly reductionist and ends up with people, industry and commentators like journalists trying to base arguments off social media likes or dislikes instead of valid arguments..  it then optimises for things that engage those likes instead of proper debate.

The reality also being that you can like or dislike things for a number of reasons, that aren't always discussed or accounted for if you just end up responding with a simple like or dislike button.

Not in favour of it tbh, encourages brainless activity, which isn't good for anyone

I agree that it would be preferable to give more insight into like or dislike but sometimes I have'nt got the time. I do like to like where I appreciate the research, time and effort in sharing.

[Arthur]

I'm in the same camp as a General. A 'Like' button is useful because it allows me to show my agreement with what has been posted, and a reply from someone else to the person who submitted the post is also, indirectly, a response to me. If I disagree with a post, however, I believe I should have the courtesy to explain why I do. If I can't be bothered to engage, I am of the opinion that, for the vast majority of posts, I would be offering little-or-nothing constructive were I to merely hit a 'Dislike' button.

[Willham]

I'm in the same camp as a General. A 'Like' button is useful because it allows me to show my agreement with what has been posted, and a reply from someone else to the person who submitted the post is also, indirectly, a response to me. If I disagree with a post, however, I believe I should have the courtesy to explain why I do. If I can't be bothered to engage, I am of the opinion that, for the vast majority of posts, I would be offering little-or-nothing constructive were I to merely hit a 'Dislike' button.

I enjoy this outlook, also wish to add, Then in that regard, liking a post when someone has disagreed is essentially disliking the post it was replying too and disagreeing with.

[General]

We have the "like" button we can use if we agree with or enjoy another members post,so would it not make sense to  have a "dislike" option for just the opposite?
Perhaps this would stop some long drawn out arguments if a member could see if his or her post was mostly liked or disliked.
Not everyone wants to type out a reply everytime,just a one click response is enough sometimes.

I hesitate in justifying anything too simplistically and preventing any meaningful engagement. Debate is healthy, and it's good to challenge and have views challenged, not only for the poster, but for the person who agrees/disagrees to see the reasons why. More than anything this is a discussion forum, so, whilst sometimes things veer off into unsavoury or pointless territory, more often than not its respectful and healthy conversation, which should be an aim.

I think a problem with social media is that it's incredibly reductionist and ends up with people, industry and commentators like journalists trying to base arguments off social media likes or dislikes instead of valid arguments..  it then optimises for things that engage those likes instead of proper debate.

The reality also being that you can like or dislike things for a number of reasons, that aren't always discussed or accounted for if you just end up responding with a simple like or dislike button.

Not in favour of it tbh, encourages brainless activity, which isn't good for anyone

I agree that it would be preferable to give more insight into like or dislike but sometimes I have'nt got the time. I do like to like where I appreciate the research, time and effort in sharing.

That's fine, but surely then just don't engage either way - the fact you have to write something if you like it or dislike it should be encouraged, as it keeps conversation and discussion going, developing, evolving.. it's checks and balances.

I think to write anything should require some willingness to share opinions, views and have either conviction or vulnerability shown in sharing those views publicly.

Last thing we want is a bunch of keyboard warriors, watching the board and not sharing their opinions and feeling like they're contributing. It's almost akin to watching youtube videos of people experiencing life and thinking you're doing the same because of it - which is a fallacy.

Need people to get out of their heads a bit more.

[Arthur]

...liking a post when someone has disagreed is essentially disliking the post it was replying too and disagreeing with.

Your logic is not wrong, but liking a post that disagrees with someone else's is not necessarily the same as hitting a 'dislike' button. For my part, were I to 'like' a post that argues against another, it would be because I go along with the reasons put forward for disagreeing.

[WindyCity]

Bad Idea

[Volz]

A like or an upvote is a simple way of saying "I agree" or "I appreciate your way of thinking or approach to something" without having to spam the messagboard with infinite quoted replies that really bring nothing to the conversation other than to expand the thread for others to read through.
It is also a positive endorsement that can make whoever wrote the post feel good, connected, supported and understood

A dislike or downvote button on the other hand brings nothing good to the table other than the surface level impression as a balancing act.
It might make someone feel bad or isolated even if they keep getting downvoted for many of their opinions.

I think it is a very bad idea. If you are in deep disagreement with something i think it should take more effort to articulate the why. Or, just don't engage, like i choose to do most of the time.

[Angus Telford]

Agree with Arthur
If you disagree, post a polite, rationalised challenge
There's already too much gatekeeping on here by few who just want to shut down those who diverge from their tribal views without having to engage in thoughtful discussion

[RaySmith]

While I do press 'like' for posts I, well, like, or agree with, I think a dislike  option is bad thing, and could just put people off posting their views, because of the negative reaction, without even a comment explaining why someone dislikes a particular post.
I note that YouTube still has a 'dislike' button, along with the 'like', but nothing seems to happen now if you press it, while the likes are counted and highlighted.

[WindyCity]

I think post #12 above by volz sums it up nicely.  Couldn't agree more.  As he says:

"I think it is a very bad idea."

[_Putney_]

Can we have one that is "sort of like" ?

[cmg]

What about an automatic 'I hate everything' button?