Disliking Facebook

The “dislike” option may be coming to Facebook but not in the way many hope.

Sammi Tester, Editor of Student Opinion

Finally, after many years of anxiously waiting, Mark Zuckerberg announced to the public during a Q&A session that Facebook would add a “dislike” option. After reading about this option, you could say I, an overly-critical, strong-willed, and sarcastic person, was overjoyed about Zuckerberg’s decision. However, as I kept reading the Time article, I was let down to find out the option will only be to show compassion for sad status posts.

When my cousin posts something completely irrelevant and ignorant, I should be able to tell her so without posting a rude comment (or typing one and deciding not to post it). With the update that is being worked on, I can only “dislike” a post that wouldn’t be appropriate to “like,” for example announcing the passing of a loved one. But, the technology to do so confounds me – how can Facebook know a post is worthy of disliking before it is shared? I guess that’s for the programmers to know and me to find out later.

In the session, Zuckerberg said negativity to other users “isn’t what we’re here to build in the world,” which makes sense, but if he wants to prevent rudeness society has towards one another, shouldn’t he have a team to filter the comments? I still have the ability in my fingers to type a hateful, unnecessarily mean comment in response to a status update. I should be able to dislike what someone said instead of having to take a lot of time constructing a comment that addresses their ignorance and why I think they’re wrong. It’s easier and, likely, nicer than a possible comment.

Zuckerberg and his team of programmers should add a dislike button, but make it available to all posts. I should be able to express my opinion to others quicker than I already can. It’s easier for me and for the person who posted because they don’t have to read about why they’re so vacuous. Instead, they can just assume I think they’re simpleminded and continue living their lives.