You Wanna Thumb Me Up?

Milktoast for the Lazy.
The Facebook feature that allows for you to "Like" something is worthless.

• I don't need to be validated.
• It adds nothing to the conversation.
• There is no Bank of Like.

So, what's the point? "Like" is the lazy person's way to avoid making a comment. It's just like the "wink" on Match.com. Neither of them say anything about the person doing the liking and winking. Tell me why you like it, eh, and we'll learn something about each other.

Friends say:

• I know- it's so vanilla laze-a$$, it makes me want to puke ecru all over lilac walls.
• Commenting for people who can't be bothered commenting.
• It would be fun if there was a "dislike."

Now, there's an idea. What we really need is an accounting system for "Likes" and "Dislikes" of which there could only be a limited number of them in the FBverse. Let's say... when you write something of interest, then I can spend my "Likes/Dislikes" on it, reducing my inventory by one and increasing your inventory by one. Add a Digg like ranking mechanism and we can begin to see what/who people like/dislike the most. It's exactly what we need, cliques on FB: the jocks, the smokers, the cheerleaders, the sluts, the nerds... yeah, Pink Ladies and T-Birds.

In order to maintain a Facebook economy of free-flowing currency, the government institution could print new Likes for every new user that signs up; a one-time liberal grant that doesn't require them to have done anything to earn it. However, if they don't spend them, then a federal institutional bailout seizure will occur that liberates the Likes from hoarders or the non-believers and puts them back into circulation.

Facebook, could you get on this?

It reminds me of all the people that open an evite and are too lazy to check one of three RSVP boxes. How hard is it to check a box and tell the host that you're a yes, no or maybe?

Yawn.

Truthfully, enough with the sarcasm, Americans die for their point accumulation: airline miles, credit cards, Dave & Busters, KC Hopps Restaurants, online forums... points = status. Many organizations have capitalized on this. We desire to see our name in lights. In most cases, points don't mean a whole lot or people never use them.

I'm serious about the economy of points (or "Likes"). In that system, we must earn them and choose to spend them, donate them and save them. It makes for a much more interesting scenario than what it takes to burn .01 calories clicking a button. It takes thought... ooo, danger Will Robinson.

Turn Facebook "Likes" into an economy and you'll be careful where you stick that thumb instead of thumbing everyone in sight.

So, from now on, you can thumb me if you like, but I prefer a little wine and conversation first.