The Blue Thumb of Approval

Social media has us wrapped around its little thumb in the same manner that a hangman would prepare his noose for the convicted. It provides us with a platform to share and ultimately like all manner of things from all over the world. Whether it’s what you’re having for lunch, how you’re feeling, family photos or how many Fridays until X date… we can, if we so wish hit the blue thumb of approval.

No matter how nice your pictures are, or how real your quotes… There are some people who will never hit the like button – just because it’s you.

Pinterest

‘Liking’ something has enabled us to saturate the Internet with mediocre levels of anything and everything, with some rare spectacular finds; in search of some sort of gratification. To the point I can’t make my mind up if I’m on board or wish to jump the social ship. That said I’m an avid participant for two reasons. Firstly I wake most days and check to see if I’m missing out on something incredible or painfully tragic. Secondly, like most of you probably; await that notifications tab to light up with it’s little red orb containing a numerical delight, in a drop everything and stop what your doing moment. I have 8 new notifications… only to be dashed in spirit by them all being related to something else. Meh.

I hate the control it has over my waking moments. Having shared some photos I will check incessantly to see how many likes; who likes and what comments went along with them – I hate the strange sensation of gratitude obtained by that horrid little blue thumb. There’s something very schoolyard about the ability to like a socially placed ‘thing’. I have found myself not liking a post, because I do like it – in protest for some reason. Either others have liked it, so there’s no need for me to. Or I’m not a big fan of who’s shared (even though they’re on my so called ‘friends list’). Argh, I can’t hold it in any longer… I really do hate the like button. So much emotion revolves around it. I see posts that mean nothing to me, are unimportant, or just plain stupid and that little numerical digit continuous to escalate… why? Why is that post better than my pictures?

And there you have it… the big why. Why don’t they like me… we’re rooted in the playground. Without social media we’d have gotten on with our lives and left all that silliness behind. In the same way I hate to like it, the thought of the rumored – Ceaser-esk “we who are about to die salute you.” The dislike button makes me somewhat pensive. If likes (or should it be lack of) trouble me, then the opposite facing direction therefore fills me with terror. So what does that say? I guess I’m a little selfish and have a desire for approval.

Most of my photos are centered around my boy and in that respect I’m terribly biased. I think every picture of him should bring about world peace. It’s a tragic shame that we have to see images of toddlers drowning in the news, for anyone to take note of a situation (but that’s another topic all together). Of all my shots, I’m surprised by which are the most liked/faved.

Knock knock!

Above is a shot from my Flickr album, it has 56 likes and dwarfs any other picture in popularity. But why? What makes one image more successful than any other? I have to think as a viewer. Probably like many of you out there I’m an endless scroller, barely taking a second to stop and really take notice of any one thing – this goes for anything from Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr or the news. It’s going to take something unique to make me flick back up and ponder. It’s fair to assume that applies to most, we’re simply looking for that next wow moment, something ultra cool, never seen before or off the scale unique. Something we can share and get likes from! With that in mind that image probably falls more into those categories than the ones I think are special.

The image was taken in my mother’s garden. It was an opportunistic moment, presented by an unexpected visit – no planning involved at all. I had been shooting my son discovering bugs, when I saw an empty snail shell on the ground. I moved it to the bird-bath, which has a nice layer of moss and took a quick blast of shots and moved on. The result is a rather soft image, it’s arty and a little abstract – it also tells a story I feel. Did I expect it to be my most liked image? No, I very nearly didn’t even share it at all. I like it (which is why I shared it), and if nothing else it was something different for the portfolio. But what do others see? Well I just don’t know – maybe you can tell me?

I have an unacceptable frustration. On occasions people tell me to my face they saw an image I posted; they say how wonderful it was, or some other pleasing adjective. Yet they did not hit the like button or comment to that fact. I want to ask why? But what right do I have to do so. It’s their choice how they wish to give me feedback. Perhaps they hate using the social platform in that same love/hate relationship it presents me. Maybe they wanted to do it in person – surely that is more pleasing than seeing a new notification that someone liked an image… somehow, no.

Along with the thumb of approval comes the share factor. I must ask if you are going to share, and it’s not obvious who the contributor is, at least tag them in it. Recently I saw an image shared (not mine), and the sharer even had the nerve to crop out the photographers watermark – almost saying without saying, look at ‘my’ picture – the comment with it made no attempt to clarify either. A tut tut in my book. That said I probably have shared things without a moments thought for the source, piggy backing on whatever the current trending thing is. I must start to induce my own medicine as it were.

We’re back on the playground, sticking a “kick me” sign on peoples back

It’s all about me, me – meme… the photo quote you can never trust but always rely on for a laugh – usually at someone else expense. I’m not sure if the meme belongs in this particular blog, but feel it has become the photographic equivalent of the little blue thumb. If you are the recipient to a meme it’s usually a sarcastic response to something you may have put time and effort and chances are, a bit of emotion into – it can be deflating. If you are the; shall we say ‘Meme-er’ then you’re probably wallowing in your glory at finding an image and quote that best destroy your victim… There’s definitely something more epic about a picture of Patrick Stuart doing a face-palm, than simply clicking a dislike button. In fact the meme is probably very fitting of this post in respect that of all posts of social media, they are the ones I see with the most likes. We may not be thinking of the impact on the poor soul watching the meme generate more success than their own original post, which probably meant a lot to them – yet we hit that like button in a ‘Hulk Smash’ fashion – burying the memed soul in unwanted notifications… it’s bullying though right? We’re back on the playground, sticking a “kick me” sign on peoples back – the more I think on it, the more I ready that life jacket.

The term ‘going viral’ surely says it all – who wants to be virus… well it seems a lot of us do. It appears to be more of a generational thing tough, the younger more ‘hip’ among us – who very much know how to play the game. It’s slowly becoming the default success indicator. I’m not sure I want to be an Internet success; it’s certainly not about being a name or any recognition. Deep down I’m seeking confirmation I’m doing the right thing, I just need a bit of encouragement. Maybe social media is not the place for it?

My conclusion is that perhaps we want social appreciation to be that, very social. A kind of ‘look what I did’ without actually saying it. It is after all why we’re sharing our ideas and thoughts, it’s our platform to hopefully gain work, build a reputation, and become some sort of digital superhero. Writing this post has made me realize how bitter I can be, how selfish it can make my thoughts – when I would never have classed myself as so. It’s only fair I drink that medicine, take time to read others thoughts and if I do – like them. If you’re putting yourself out there, be prepared to take the thumb… good or bad

I feel the inevitable final request coming… please like my blog, share it, tell your friends and family how wonderful it is. But I won’t (even though I kind of just did). I’ll let you decide if it is worthy of such looming thumb power. These are ultimately my thoughts and feelings on the subject, with the view from a personal user level as opposed for business – which I’m yet to delve (keep your eyes peeled). The digital thumb, like our opposable cousin, is going nowhere and will continue to evolve into whatever creature we let it. It’s a powerful tool – use it wisely.