Do we live for likes?

I reluctantly joined Facebook in 2008. I resisted for quite a while.  Then I got an invite email saying two of your friends are on Facebook.  The two were paired together. One was a very pretty ex-coworker, who looked like she was ready for the beach-bleached blonde hair, low cut shirt and shorts. The other was a Chasidic rabbi, dressed in the traditional wear-black hat, white shirt, long black coat and beard. Seeing the two of them together prompted me to join.

I remember my early days. I got annoyed when people would write, “I just sipped a diet Coke” or “I’m doing laundry.” Who cares?  I wrote about my dismay. Within minutes, dozens of friends wrote on my wall that they were doing laundry or having a Coke.

 

Posts from friends include political rants, photos of their dogs, children, deceased relatives, vacations, cars and more. Much more.

I have friends who’ve posted throwbacks from way before Facebook burst onto the scene and way before people were regularly online.  Some complained they were devastated because no one commented or liked their photos or statements.

I post plenty of photos. I want to get exposure for them. Some have been taken at events of groups I belong to. Most were shot in parks and on the street.  I get some likes, reactions and comments.  Do I care? Not really.

Some of my friends who received no likes or were not satisfied with the comments picked up the phone to tell me about their disappointment. I tried to console them. But it was to no avail.  They said they were either going to pull their photos. Or never post pictures again. My response was no one would care.  They didn’t get it.

I know certain posts will get over 100 likes within seconds. Days, even weeks later, these folks will still be reeling in the likes.  The “hot properties” are often reluctant to have their photos taken. They know they will wind up on someone’s wall and the post will be shared.  At times, I’ve posted photos featuring two or three of the most liked people in one shot.

But most of my photos get zero likes or comments.  I post because I like the work I produced.  Someone told me to take pride in my work.  I try.

I’ve never been upset or counted likes. I will admit at some events, I may take more photos of the top likable folks. That is done to promote the event and inspire more people to show their own work.

Well, if you like my thoughts great. No worries if you don’t.