I like a like
I have had the thrill of some posts making it onto Bear blog's Trending page a few times lately.
Of course, it has been the quickly written and slightly frivolous posts that have been the ones that have made it by being liked enough. The (slightly) more sensible one I last posted a couple of days ago, that took a bit of time for research, had links for my references, and took a bit of actual thinking about, hasn't made it.
That's fine. I don't write expecting to see likes/toasts/upvotes mount up. But it's lovely if they do.
I can affect a nonchalant and cool attitude of not caring about whether my posts gain likes/toasts/ticks/smileys/thumbs-ups/hearts, or whatever other symbols your blog gives people the chance to click when they like a post enough, but in reality I do like getting a like. Or a smiley. Or an upvote, or whatever else you call it.
(NB: I just had to have a look because I couldn't remember WHAT I had. Star. It's a star.)
It's not for narcissistic, egotistical or vain reasons.
It's not like a social media favourite here. It isn't a double-edged thing that, as well as giving me the brief dopamine hit, feeds a hidden algorithm that tells THEM as much about YOU, and how they can use that to target you and all your friends and family better (for them).
Here, it's a simpler thing altogether.
I see it like this. I write a post and put it up on my blog, normally with an element of humour. If you have read it, and it entertained you enough for a smile, or at least a grudging snort, or even an under-your-breath 'Idiot!' like J does sometimes when she's amused but doesn't want me to get too big-headed about it, then I think you should have a way of telling me that.
Seeing your like, toast, or smile emoji etc. (STAR!) is your way of telling me that it made you smile. A brief moment of joy before reality intrudes somehow.
And seeing the like, toast, upvote, thumbs up etc, etc, (STAR!) count going up makes me smile that it did that for you, whoever you are. So we've shared a smile, even if I don't know who you are.
If the STAR! number goes up more, it has made MORE people smile.
We need smiles.
Now everyone is smiling. Or sparkling! Like a STAR!
Hoorah!
I don't write with the aim to get on the Trending list, I will write anything I feel like writing anyway, but if I take the presence of a STAR! as an indication that I have caused some sort of positive reaction (I'll even accept a STAR! if I caused you a little groan), and you clicked that STAR! simply to show me you appreciated me making you have it, I like them too.
Now, for some strange reason I feel like clicking on a STAR!
Odd.
post link for sharing: https://skryblans.com/i-like-a-like
If you got this far, you may as well click the STAR! below on your way out.