Likes should be visible to only the Like-or and the Like-ee. Liking something is a simple, unobtrusive way to let someone know I appreciate what they wrote. It’s also a way to get a little bump when someone likes what I wrote. No one else need be involved.

I like that idea.

There’s no need for any metrics on “likes”, but the signal itself is helpful.

In face-to-face conversation there’s all kinds of non-verbal communication. you can nod your head, smile. We’ve come up with a similar language online, I don’t think there’s any more meaning in this.

I don’t get Dave’s TV parallel, but I agree that Like is something that’s part of the language of social media.