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Facebook Is Building an 'Empathy Button'

jones_supa writes: The Dislike button has long been the most requested feature from Facebook users. So when Mark Zuckerberg said in a public Q&A session that the company was working on an alternative to things that are inappropriate to "Like," news outlets around the world sprung into action saying that the masses would soon get their wish. Don't hold your breath for a button called "Dislike." On the video, Zuck explicitly says that that's not what Facebook is building, but a way to express empathy towards sad occurrences.

127 comments

  1. And the first step... by jafiwam · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is teach all Facebook users what the word "empathy" means.

    1. Re:And the first step... by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just tell them it means "dislike".

      Then watch the fallout.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    2. Re:And the first step... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Running a social experiment on the social experiment? That's just cruel.

    3. Re:And the first step... by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I used to hate humans.

      Then I noticed that you can play with them.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    4. Re:And the first step... by RogueWarrior65 · · Score: 2

      IMHO, the only thing LESS empathetic than the laziness of a single button to express empathy rather than actually composing kind sentences is to do nothing.

    5. Re:And the first step... by Kohath · · Score: 1

      It's like the way you'd feel if your friend crashed his car 2 hours before he was supposed to give you a ride to the airport.

    6. Re:And the first step... by Rei · · Score: 1

      It never should have been "like"; that's inherently confusing. It should have been something like "appreciate" or "recommend" or "uprate".

      Example:

      "Just wanted to let you know... my mother's long struggle with cancer is over. She passed away at 12:43 today. :( She had been suffering so much..." (LIKE) - Bad!

      Vs...

      "Just wanted to let you know... my mother's long struggle with cancer is over. She passed away at 12:43 today. :( She had been suffering so much..." (APPRECIATE) - Better!
      "Just wanted to let you know... my mother's long struggle with cancer is over. She passed away at 12:43 today. :( She had been suffering so much..." (UPRATE) - Better!
      "Just wanted to let you know... my mother's long struggle with cancer is over. She passed away at 12:43 today. :( She had been suffering so much..." (RECOMMEND) - Better!

      The message should be, "I appreciate that you posted this" or "I recommend that others see this", not "I like the subject matter of the post". "Rapes are up 200% at the college this year and the police are refusing to investigate!" (LIKE) - WTH is wrong with you?

      --
      "This administration is so incompetent that they cover their tracks with bigger tracks." - Seth Meyers
    7. Re: And the first step... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Call a taxi dumbass.

    8. Re:And the first step... by umghhh · · Score: 1

      You want to argue with Zuckerberg? I mean from all the sociopaths in the industry?

    9. Re:And the first step... by LaurenCates · · Score: 1

      Eh, most people have a hard time coming up with something sincere at a time when people need sincerity the most. People in front of you could choose to give you a hug or pat on the back, but people who aren't kind of need a substitute and articulation is not an option.

      I don't hate the "like" button, and I admit that and anything like it often fails to capture the complexity of human feeling, but I don't disregard it as "lazy", either.

      --
      Some people don't believe in fairies. I don't believe in The Patriarchy.
    10. Re:And the first step... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is teach all Facebook users what the word "empathy" means.

      "Empathy is for the weak! Morbo will destroy you all!"

    11. Re:And the first step... by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      [Hug]

    12. Re:And the first step... by s.petry · · Score: 1

      I believe this is backward. Doing nothing is preferable to the thoughtless and lazy act of pressing a single button. I really don't see why typing "Sorry for your loss" or "Get well soon" has become a chore to some people. Don't get me wrong, I know that lazy idiots are out there in droves. I just didn't expect that the numbers favored being so lazy and idiotic that they can't think or take the time to type 3-4 words.

      --

      -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    13. Re: And the first step... by Kohath · · Score: 1

      empathy fail

    14. Re:And the first step... by Pseudonymous+Powers · · Score: 1

      Moss: I never know what to say to people at funerals.

      Roy: Me too. I'm terrible.

      Jen: Just say you're sorry and move on. [To Denholm's wife] He'll be in our prayers.

      Roy: [to Denholm's wife] I'm sorry for your loss. Move on.

      -from The IT Crowd

    15. Re:And the first step... by ThatsDrDangerToYou · · Score: 1

      Is teach all Facebook users what the word "empathy" means.

      Yes, please tell me what this is and how I may acquire some. Do they accept Bitcoin? Does it have anything to do with puppies? Or pr0n? Because I am very empathy about those.

    16. Re:And the first step... by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      I think there's something much lower than that, and the internet and the ability to communicate to such a large group of people has shown us that there are a lot of people who care nothing about tragedy, but will create a fine display of sympathy to feed their own narcissistic desire for attention.

      Several weeks ago I saw a news story about some high school kid that was accused of encouraging a classmate to commit suicide so that they could make social media posts about how their friend died and try to raise suicide awareness. The one kid did commit suicide and the other only got caught because the one that died didn't clear out all of the phone's text messages. We saw the same thing with the whole Kony 2012 social media craze where so many people were rushing to show as much empathy as they could, but no one really did a damned thing about it that had an real world consequences.

      I would say that pretending to care when you really don't is far worse than doing nothing at all. That's the kind of attitude that breeds busy-body moralists that you tend to find in a lot of churches that just want someone to condemn and look down their nose at rather than doing anything helpful or actually putting their beliefs to practice.

    17. Re:And the first step... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is teach all Facebook users what the word "empathy" means.

      I think you'll find it far more daunting to teach The Zuck and his ilk how to have "empathy."

    18. Re:And the first step... by RogueWarrior65 · · Score: 1

      The opposite of love is not hate but apathy.

    19. Re:And the first step... by AuMatar · · Score: 1

      Its not a chore, but its empty. And as someone who has posted a sad story, I'd rather see "200 people have expressed sympathy" than be forced to scroll through 200 people saying the exact same fucking trite saying.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    20. Re: And the first step... by johnsnails · · Score: 1

      Dont keep scrolling, see the angel. 1 like = 1 ignore, 1 empathy = 1 prayer.

    21. Re:And the first step... by s.petry · · Score: 1

      Why not close access to your information instead of keeping it open to 200 people, then complaining about the consequences of the audience you have chosen?

      --

      -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    22. Re:And the first step... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I propose that the sporks invade and crapflood an article on crapdot for old time's sake. Sadly, crapdot's draconian posting restrictions on people who post at -1 will prevent a large scale crapflood, but it would still be fun to have an organized crapflood of an article. What happened to all the trolls that used to post here? It's been awhile!

      - evil_spork, sadly posting as AC because I don't have the password to my old account... I still hate anonymous shitbags, even though I'm reduced to one now.

  2. the nuclear option by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    and the most "liked".

  3. Damn I missed first post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Please moderate +1 empathy.

  4. ehm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    dislike!

  5. How to annoy a friend on FB... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Like" every post & photo on their page. Their phone will get hundreds of notifications.

    1. Re:How to annoy a friend on FB... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One of the reasons I don't install the app on my phone. The others include limited battery life, sucky data plan (but it's good enough for the occasional browsing) and all the extra privacy mischief.

  6. So trying to re-invent the frown face? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So: :-( ???
    Oh wait, can't copy write or have a trademark issues for it can they?

  7. I got an idea... by Penguinisto · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...how about a "we don't give a shit about your oversized monetized data-vacuum" button?

    Okay, maybe too harsh, and I get it - the website has become dominant, and most folks are on it at least 1-2x a day, if not longer. But honestly, when some tiny website feature becomes breathless news, maybe we got our priorities screwed up?

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    1. Re:I got an idea... by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Oh, come on .. pretty much all tech "news" reporting is of the breathless variety these days.

      I bet Wall Street analysts are trying to figure out the direction the stock will swing with this, and by how much. Every tech reporter is swooning and soiling their knickers over a new feature in Facebook, which they will dutifully report. Police departments are busy planning free speech zones to contain the excited crowds. Universities are preparing to study the global socio-economic impact of this new button.

      Of course we have our priorities screwed up.

      Because people stupidly believe what Facebook does will influence future generations, cause fortunes to be made and lost, and cottage industries to spring up around the existence of this damned button.

      We live in a vacuous culture, obsessed with pointless shit. More people will think they're more immediately impacted by this button than will any other news story this year.

      Which is fucking pathetic.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:I got an idea... by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      If as you say, "most folks are on it at least 1-2x a day, if not longer" then clearly it is relevant news to "most folks". Is it 'important'? - No, and few people would claim that it was, but it doesn't have to be "important news" to be "news".

      Back OT - I agree with Zuckerberg, a "dislike" button would be the death of FB, it's bread and butter comes from millions of old fart "sheeple" like me who do not want to keep in contact with their grandkids via reddit, tyvm.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    3. Re:I got an idea... by bickerdyke · · Score: 1

      If as you say, "most folks are on it at least 1-2x a day, if not longer" then clearly it is relevant news to "most folks".

      And whoever says that completely mixes up frequency and duration! Come on, this used to be news for Nerds!

      --
      bickerdyke
    4. Re:I got an idea... by orasio · · Score: 1

      To be honest, that's not tiny.
      Facebook mediates social interaction for large numbers of people.
      Tiny changes like this can affect real life a lot, making bullying easier/harder, making it easier to pick fights with family, helping you lose your job, b/c you pushed dislike on they press releases.

      This is small stuff, but it's small stuff at a very large scale. That's why it's news.

    5. Re:I got an idea... by Rei · · Score: 1

      There are some ways which I think that Facebook, while a giant money-centered corporate overlord, does some good. In particular I'm thinking about how many times recently I've seen friends post BS stories on Facebook, and immediately there pops up underneath "related links" that almost always include debunking or counterpoint links. Facebook deserves serious kudos for that one. I don't know if they do it as a deliberate counterpoint-posting system or just "the things most frequently posted as a response", but either way, I think it's great for trying to stop the spread of BS and expose people to different points of view.

      --
      "This administration is so incompetent that they cover their tracks with bigger tracks." - Seth Meyers
    6. Re:I got an idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The thing that gets me is the glacial pace and lack of features most modern products have. This shouldn't be news because they should be adding features every few months.

    7. Re: I got an idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about a "pity" button then?

    8. Re:I got an idea... by umghhh · · Score: 1

      I like the idea that people think. How many FB users, do you think, will indulge in this laborious activity? More than 3?

    9. Re:I got an idea... by laie_techie · · Score: 1

      If as you say, "most folks are on it at least 1-2x a day, if not longer" then clearly it is relevant news to "most folks". Is it 'important'? - No, and few people would claim that it was, but it doesn't have to be "important news" to be "news".

      Back OT - I agree with Zuckerberg, a "dislike" button would be the death of FB, it's bread and butter comes from millions of old fart "sheeple" like me who do not want to keep in contact with their grandkids via reddit, tyvm.

      I admit to using Facebook to keep in touch with people across the globe (including my in-laws). On more than one occasion I have replied with the words Do not like followed by sincere commiseration for what that person posted. If there's a news article about a group helping after a major disaster, do I likeit because of the group's efforts, or would that indicate that I like the disaster, too? With a whole range of emotions and levels of support, a simple Like button often falls flat.

    10. Re:I got an idea... by dj245 · · Score: 1

      ...how about a "we don't give a shit about your oversized monetized data-vacuum" button?

      Okay, maybe too harsh, and I get it - the website has become dominant, and most folks are on it at least 1-2x a day, if not longer. But honestly, when some tiny website feature becomes breathless news, maybe we got our priorities screwed up?

      Maybe they should be working on something more useful, like a dating tab. They could bury all the other dating websites in a month if their matchmaking system was even halfway decent. And it could be very good, they have plenty of data to mine regarding both individuals and short/long term relationships.

      --
      Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
    11. Re:I got an idea... by Art3x · · Score: 1

      So Facebook needs an ennui button?

  8. You don't give us a dislike button? by Opportunist · · Score: 2

    No problem, as long as you give us ANY button besides "like". The community will just USE it as a "dislike" button. You need not call it that. We will do that for you.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    1. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by bickerdyke · · Score: 2

      Community may call that button what they want to call it - butthis won't change the meaning of the button.

      I remember a lawsuit few years ago where someone hit the "like" button to join in a discussion about whatever it was with some critical remarks, and then sued facebook for stating "user x likes y" to his "friends". His argument also was that "the community" does not use the like button exclusively as a "like" button.

      I'm all in for creative misuse of features, but complaining when someone uses or interprets a feature in the intended way is exclusively their own problem. You have to take on responsibility when you're using something out of spec.

      --
      bickerdyke
    2. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      As long as it's just some bullshit feelgood button, it's going to work out.

      Seriously, if you can get sued over this nonsense, something bigger is going wrong here than whether or not Farcebook has some button.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    3. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Well, there's two things here:

      Facebook was using people's posts and likes as unauthorized advertising, which really annoyed people. Suddenly you're doing product endorsements instead of just clicking "Like" on a posting by Coke.

      Secondly, "like" conveys .. well, "like", not "follow" or "acknowledge" or "important but awful".

      Really, if you see a story which says "school shooting, 30 dead" ... "like" just isn't the appropriate verb. People want to acknowledge the story without saying "gee, I'm really in favor of school shootings".

      In the context of Facebook, "like" means "I wish to receive updates on this", but they've always treated it like "I endorse this", which has always demonstrated a certain cluelessness about how people were actually using it.

      So the problem with how the feature was "intended" to be used was that it was incomplete. Well, the second problem is once you write the feature how you intended it is pretty much meaningless .. nobody gives a damn about how you wanted it to be used.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    4. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by bickerdyke · · Score: 1

      Well, there's two things here:

      Facebook was using people's posts and likes as unauthorized advertising, which really annoyed people. Suddenly you're doing product endorsements instead of just clicking "Like" on a posting by Coke.

      Secondly, "like" conveys .. well, "like", not "follow" or "acknowledge" or "important but awful".

      Really, if you see a story which says "school shooting, 30 dead" ... "like" just isn't the appropriate verb.

      That's why I don't hit "like" in such a situation.

      People want to acknowledge the story without saying "gee, I'm really in favor of school shootings".

      Yes, I fully understand that, but facebook doesn't offer such an option (yet). But you're still hitting a button that's clearly and obviously marked with "I like". Happening what's labeled on a button should be no surprise. People might tread a toilet flush like a drinking water dispenser or a fire alarm like a funny noise generator to scare animals away - but they should not be surprised if one day an actual fire brigade shows up. Or a doorbell making a ringing sound - even if it was broken for years.

      You may have seen "Out of order" signs on button that were not working as labeled, but have you ever seen a warning "Caution: Button works as labeled"? Probably followed by a "The above sign is meant literally" and a "Yes, that's true"

      In the context of Facebook, "like" means "I wish to receive updates on this", but they've always treated it like "I endorse this", which has always demonstrated a certain cluelessness about how people were actually using it.

      Yes, but when push comes to shove, it's the written word that is binding, not what you thought it meant. Of course, things might gather additional meanings over time, but you can't take away the original meaning. It is still completly correct to call the feeling you get when seeing a decorated Christmas tree "gay".

      --
      bickerdyke
    5. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by Kiaser+Zohsay · · Score: 1

      You may have seen "Out of order" signs on button that were not working as labeled, but have you ever seen a warning "Caution: Button works as labeled"? Probably followed by a "The above sign is meant literally" and a "Yes, that's true"

      Followed by "Or maybe not, I'm a sign, not a cop."

      They just need to call it what it really is: a "Feels" button.

      --
      I am not your blowing wind, I am the lightning.
    6. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by Katatsumuri · · Score: 1

      The poster will have to explicitly enable this button as an alternative to "Like". You won't get a chance to push it instead of Like, unless it is enabled for the specific post. So, unfortunately, no "Condolences on you being Napoleon in previous life".

    7. Re:You don't give us a dislike button? by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      Surely if your friend posted a story on "school shooting, 30 dead" they'd have a comment at the end like "so sad" at least. It's their comment you're "liking".

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  9. The power of a billionaire by h4x0t · · Score: 2

    is probably insufficient to bring empathy to the internet.

  10. Don't press the stupid empathy button. by ZorinLynx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is it that hard to just leave a comment?

    Even "My condolences. :(" is better than hitting a stupid button. We've become a culture that needs a button for everything; I've made posts that get dozens of Likes or +1s or whatever, and have only one or two commments. People don't want to take the time to say how they really feel.

    That's one thing I liked about Livejournal, and miss now. There is no "Like", so people left comments more. Even a simple "way to go!" is better than hitting "Like".

    1. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Mod parent up please. He makes good points.

    2. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Per root's comment though, we should not be simply upmodding, we should all be posting confirmation statements.

      Yeah ZorinLynx, speak the truth!

      (easy to post rather than mod since I'm morally opposed to having a number on this forum)

    3. Re: Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Attaboy, ZorinLynx! You tell it like it is. Way to go!

    4. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      I see what you did there.

    5. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by 1080bogus · · Score: 1

      I would've just modded you up but I'm out of mod points :( I guess I'll just have to comment instead. :P

      Seriously though, you make an excellent point. It's bad enough people have a hard time even speaking with someone on the phone or in person. I'm mostly an introvert but I refuse to communicate solely over text or IM much less via buttons or emoticons. I can't even imagine what relationships, whether just friends or more, will be like in the near future if people never interact with each other like you stated.

      I think that sums up my feelings about this particular topic in a nutshell without going full rant.

    6. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Fire_Wraith · · Score: 1

      Yes, but comments are much more difficult to translate directly into data points than simple clicks of approval.

    7. Re: Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      +1 Insightful

      O wait...

    8. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If there's already 15 empathy comments, it's hard to come up with something original.

    9. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Archwyrm · · Score: 1

      Good sir, I offer my sincerest and most hearty congratulations upon your sage writings. I shall bequeath upon you an IOU for an increased value of moderation that of which I currently lack.

      --
      Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power. -- Mussolini
    10. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by Dragonslicer · · Score: 1

      That's one thing I liked about Livejournal, and miss now. There is no "Like", so people left comments more. Even a simple "way to go!" is better than hitting "Like".

      Me too!

    11. Re:Don't press the stupid empathy button. by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      If there's already 15 empathy comments, it's hard to come up with something original.

      I find a couple of jokes normally lightens the mood.

      I'll get my coat.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  11. Sociopaths by meta-monkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What kind of a sociopath hears "our users want express empathy" and responds with "button?"

    --
    We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    1. Re:Sociopaths by Kohath · · Score: 2

      Non-sociopaths use a sad-face emoticon.

    2. Re:Sociopaths by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The like button is useful to Facebook as it adds data to the profiling engine that is crunching your life for sale to third parties, governments, whatever. Any other buttons would not, at least not by Facebook's current estimation. So why should they bother? Why store data that doesn't make them money?

      This is logic that Facebook users are enabling in order to share pictures of their diner, cat, kids, political cartoons, low-brow humor, and find the next sexual encounter.

      I hope it is worth it.

    3. Re:Sociopaths by Qzukk · · Score: 2

      The ones who press "Like" when their friend reports that their little kid has cancer.

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
    4. Re:Sociopaths by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      *like*

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
  12. Keyboards next to handle all the new buttons by ITRambo · · Score: 1

    Watch for Facebook to sell keyboards with an extra row of key for all of their new buttons, along with buttons "to be assigned". I really dislike Facebook, but don't expect them to go away. I wish they would anyway.

    1. Re:Keyboards next to handle all the new buttons by Lodlaiden · · Score: 1

      It's too bad there isn't a way to indicate such on Mr. Zuckerberg's post.

      --
      Suborbital [spaceflight] is the special olympics of spaceflight. - Rei
  13. Why "Empathy"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How about "Worthwhile" for things that are worth knowing about, without tying in emotional response?

    1. Re:Why "Empathy"? by subanark · · Score: 1

      How is this much different from "Like"?

    2. Re:Why "Empathy"? by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      I've been on FB for about a year, it is actually a very good way for we boomers to keep in touch with our family and frienemies.

      Buttons I would like (pun intended)
      -Pseudoscience
      -Shill
      -Paid propaganda.
      -Unpaid propaganda.
      -Dog whistle
      -Bad medicine
      -Inconvenient truth
      -Convenient truth
      -Mostly harmless.
      -Useful idiot
      -Useless idiot
      -If the author is not on drugs, he should be.
      - All of the slashdot mod labels.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  14. No words... WTF!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    • Like
    • Dislike
    • No words
    • WTF!?
    • I know that's you trying to social engineer my vote, Donald Trump.
    1. Re:No words... WTF!? by bickerdyke · · Score: 4, Funny

      What about:

      funny
      overrated
      insightfull
      intresting
      underrated
      and troll?

      --
      bickerdyke
    2. Re:No words... WTF!? by Kjella · · Score: 1

      No love for flamebait, off-topic or redundant?

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    3. Re:No words... WTF!? by bickerdyke · · Score: 1

      Sorry.. Had to quote those from memory and forgot the ones I usually don't receive :-)

      --
      bickerdyke
    4. Re:No words... WTF!? by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      No love for flamebait, off-topic or redundant?

      I'm pretty sure that every single facebook post is the last of these.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  15. Ooh, so close by willworkforbeer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Was hoping for Apathy. Is it too late for a "Meh" option?

    --
    Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..
    1. Re:Ooh, so close by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wouldn't the truest expression of apathy be the pressing of no buttons?

      It's already implemented!

    2. Re:Ooh, so close by steveg · · Score: 1

      Beat me to it.

      --
      Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.
  16. Yea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I rather hit a dislike button then having to write a comment saying I dislike a post. Well, if You "like" a post about people dying in a flood, dose that mean you like that they died?

    Empathy button would be the same thing as like. I would use empathy as a dislike button. Kinda like using "funny" as a second thumbs down on game reviews.

  17. sometimes by dwpbike · · Score: 1

    i'm just full of it

  18. This may not turn out well by subanark · · Score: 2

    Having been a long time player of the 1 vs 1 hearthstone game I can tell you that 80% of the time the emote button, which is the only way to communicate with your opponent, is often used in a negative way.

    Some of the emotes are:

    "Well played": Should be used to indicate a good move by your opponent of that you admit defeat. Often used to indicate "Give up I've already one"

    "Thank you": Should be used to indicate a move by your opponent that was beneficial to you. Often used at the start to indicate "Thank you for the win I will get scrub"

    "Hello": Should be used to indicate a friendly greeting. Often used to announce a play that swings the game in your favor.

    If facebook simply allows any emotion for any post, people will associate certain emotes as "hate".

    Laughing at misfortune.
    Being sad at accomplishments: "You call that an accomplishment, that is sad"

    No matter how friendly you make them, people will associate some actions as less than favorable

  19. Middle Finger up button by Gim+Tom · · Score: 1

    I am waiting for something else. How about a middle finger up button?

  20. Like it or not by Jahat · · Score: 1

    The problem with like or any button is it does not improve ones relationships, it distances people. Comments get closer, but social media being impersonal, and easy like buttons, there is no true emotional investment and removes one from others. I can't remember the last time I was called or I have called anyone on the phone just to chat. Nothing is new because everything is superficially placed in soundbytes amongst the kitten and baby pics. If someone needs empathy, maybe they need a call, or non-virtual hug.

    --
    Sola Scriptura Sola Fide Sola Gratia Sola Christus
  21. Insightful by Chris+Johnson · · Score: 1

    Oh, you mean 'insightful'?

  22. Hugs. by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 1

    >> Hugs. Aw, what's wrong? Sending prayers!!! Hang in there.

    And...that's why I quit Facebook years ago.

    1. Re:Hugs. by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      A "Hug" button would actually makes sense. You can't "like" a post that says "my relative died". A hug would be a perfect button to represent empathy.

    2. Re:Hugs. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Until you get arrested for 'hugging' a post made by a teenager ...

    3. Re:Hugs. by Kiaser+Zohsay · · Score: 1

      Until you get arrested for 'hugging' a post made by a teenager ...

      So call it a "Feels" button.

      Oh, wait ...

      --
      I am not your blowing wind, I am the lightning.
    4. Re:Hugs. by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      Until you get arrested for 'hugging' a post made by a teenager ...

      But, officer, it said on her profile she was born on 01/01/1990!

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  23. Doesn't want a "negative" space... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Facebook doesn't want a dislike button because it may create a "negative" space.

    For an "insightful" rating, I'd just say that there are situations where "Dislike" is the only true response (post re: white supremacy, religious rants, bigoted messages, ...). "Empathy" in this respect just doesn't cut it.

    For a "funny" rating, I guess I'll just have to keep responding with "You Asshole!"

  24. Slashdot doesn't have "Dislike"... by dark.nebulae · · Score: 0

    And look at what a positive space we have here!

  25. This is a general problem on social media by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

    One of the world's highest-rated places on Yelp is Auschwitz, but obviously people are rating it for historical importance, not as an accommodation. Ideally we would invent a single control that allows a person to rate up or down on as many as three factors at once, say by placing a dot inside a cube.

    Jonny Ive, the white phone, please...

  26. Who cares? by tomhath · · Score: 1

    Zuck explicitly says that that's not what Facebook is building, but a way to express empathy

    I don't care what "Zuck" has done.

  27. Like vs +1 by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    And this is why G+'s +1 (with the benefit of hindsight) is superior. you're not giving anything the thumbs up

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  28. Laugh by koan · · Score: 1

    Because people would dump their FB accounts if they could see how much people disliked their post.

    Would probably affect advertisers as well.

    --
    "If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
    1. Re:Laugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe. But people are afraid to be mean. I remember friends in college who would bitch about a professor all semester long and then give great scores on the evaluation. Also, not many people have the guts to downvote baby picture spam, even if it is the most annoying thing on facebook. Even when it's anonymous, a lot of people feel bad about being mean, and if it's not anonymous - forget it.

  29. "Unsubscribe" by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

    People don't want to take the time to say how they really feel.

    I have a standard one word reply to far-right propaganda from FB friends that tells them exactly how I feel, "Unsubscribe". I haven't lost any FB friends, and the "offensive material" dried up more or less as soon as I started doing it. Try it on your own pet peeve, you will be surprised at just how powerful one word can be.

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    1. Re:"Unsubscribe" by SuperKendall · · Score: 1, Redundant

      Unsubscribe.

      --
      "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  30. What is empathy you say? by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    Nobody will know what that button is for. Those that do know won't use it.

    1. Re:What is empathy you say? by Trax3001BBS · · Score: 1

      Nobody will know what that button is for. Those that do know won't use it.

      I lol'd

  31. Well that's innovative by Trax3001BBS · · Score: 1

    Too bad digg.com didn't have one or there wouldn't of been a wait.

  32. Better idea! Voting! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I have a much better idea, how about you add a voting system!
    Thumbs up. So-so hand gesture. Thumbs Down.
    Problem solved.

    And add little smiley buttons next to posts instead of making people have to go in and actively click it from the emoticon list. Who wants to do that? Duuuhh, nobody!

  33. Indifference by pipingguy · · Score: 1

    Why not a 'meh' button?

    1. Re:Indifference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Redundant. If you're using facebook to express your opinion, you're already "meh" about the world.

  34. Sneeze alert! by ScentCone · · Score: 1

    Is it that hard to just leave a comment?

    Have you actually bothered to read what such comments tend to look like? "Sending prayers!" "Hugs!" "Our thoughts are with you" and other 100% pure, unadulterated platitudes that are no different than saying "bless you" when someone sneezes. Do those people REALLY think they need to invoke the blessings of a magical being every time somebody sneezes? No. It's a bit of cultural kabuki that gets played on cruise control just like all of the reflexive empathy statements that people might as well be copying and pasting into social media comments when someone shares some difficult news. Clicking a button is just a bit more succinct than spitting out one of those two- or four-word platitudes. Everyone knows that no such response is sincere anyway. "My condolences" ... really? That's NOT better than a button. It's WORSE. Because if you actually meant it, you'd have more to say. But instead, typing out those two words just means that you can't be bothered to say more, but want to APPEAR to care. It's completely transparent.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    1. Re:Sneeze alert! by dinfinity · · Score: 1

      "My condolences" ... really? That's NOT better than a button. It's WORSE.

      I won't go that far, but I do agree that a Like-button cleans up the cruft.

      I really fucking hate it when random fucking Google+ (I know, shut up) posts are riddled with only completely meaningless comments such as 'Gud post' and 'Wow!!!'. Imagine the increase in shit if the Like/+1 buttons weren't there.

    2. Re:Sneeze alert! by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      "My condolences" ... really? That's NOT better than a button. It's WORSE. Because if you actually meant it, you'd have more to say.

      When someone close to you dies there is almost nothing you can say.

      And for people you don't know well, anything more than a simple conventionality is just showing off.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  35. Social engineering. by pigsycyberbully · · Score: 0

    Social engineering or if you prefer psychological manipulation. It was first used in Japan on BBS discussion boards quite a long time ago. People like to feel a part of a group so to make them behave the way the controller would like them to behave they use likes and dislikes and everybody likes to be liked! In recent times it was used by GCHQ, and the NSA on YouTube. For example if you don't believe what they want you to believe you would get dislikes but when you upload something that they want you to you will get likes.. Japan and China still heavily rely on psychological manipulation with thumbs up and thumbs down. It is even used on here to make you post more regular. It's why I never click like or dislike ever on here I only dislike my own postings. In Japan, they have "rebellious" people who always do things to get dislikes even disliking their own postings. Regardless of what you read here Freddie Facebook never gets beyond Facebook so doesn't know any better. I think the media call it shouting in the wilderness meaning they can manipulate more people than you can convince not to be manipulated. Or sometimes they try to convince you that it is a losing battle. BUT It is never a losing battle if you do it.

  36. When someone posts about bad news on FB... by rnturn · · Score: 2

    ... isn't it just a little more appropriate to post, you know, an actual comment expressing your condolences? I realize that we're all pressed for time and have dozens of cute cat pictures to "like" while on FB but if clicking on a button is the extent of your response to someone's loss, illness, etc. ... That's pretty pathetic.

    --
    CUR ALLOC 20195.....5804M
  37. hey, I want a "fuck you and die in misery" button by swschrad · · Score: 1

    not that I want to friend Zuck to use it, not that at all.....

    --
    if this is supposed to be a new economy, how come they still want my old fashioned money?
  38. I got feels by no1nose · · Score: 1

    "Feels" button

  39. Dislike Button by sadesign · · Score: 1

    The dislike button will be the biggest asset for companies to know whether the public likes it or not its content. In my agency SA Design, we will use as thermometer the amount of dislikes by post.

  40. "Shit Happens"? by danomatika · · Score: 2

    I'd prefer a "Shit Happens" button, myself.

  41. They're also revamping "poke" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There's now going to be a friendly "poke in the ribs", as well as a "poke in the eye", for when you're pissed at someone. They also considered a third type of poke, but the focus groups thought it was lewd.

  42. Screw Facebook by ToxicBanjo · · Score: 2

    I stay away from that data mining, privacy exploiting piece of shit.

    --
    There are only 10 kinds of people in the world. Those that understand binary and those that don't.
  43. What we REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Damn. STILL no middle finger icon?

  44. This may become interesting for trolls... by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

    Good use for the empathy button :
    - New couple
    - My new tattoo
    - Look at my drawing
    - Just married
    - We are going to this place for our holidays
    - Babies

  45. ah huh by slashmydots · · Score: 1

    "I just got fired from my job!" - Do you hit the Like button or the new "I feel ya, bro" button.
    You know, since nobody takes a "like" literally by the dictionary definition on FB anymore, how about they just add a dislike button so I can go around hating on stuff. That's all anyone on the internet really wants. It would be the end of stupid, gimmicky, trying to hard marketing campaigns created by 20-somethings with a 2 year degree in marketing that some idiotic corporation hires to drum up pretend interest in their product lines. Confused? "Hey guys, what are your plans for refreshing Pepsi taste while camping this holiday weekend?" In fact that level of insincere marketing disguised as genuine human interest might even need a "go *** yourself" button instead of just dislike.

  46. Like is Fine by Art3x · · Score: 1

    I just took it to be something object oriented:

    ($happy_story)->like() = function () { echo 'Yay!!!' };
    ($sad_story)->like() = function () { echo 'I am sorry' };

    (No the syntax above is not any particular language, which is good.)

    Or as a layman would simply state, "It depends on the context."

  47. Alternative? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    an alternative to things that are inappropriate to "Like"

    Just give the world a THUMBS DOWN button, you arrogant asshole.

    Not that hard to sort out

  48. Acknowledged. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It should be in the form of a simple checkmark icon that basically signifies that you simply "acknowledge" the post, instead of "Like" it. It can be called the "Check" button.

  49. Re:hey, I want a "fuck you and die in misery" butt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's what comments are for. It's quite satisfying to just say "I hope you die of cancer you worthless piece of shit" sometimes.

  50. Did Facebook have a replicant problem? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just post "a tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can't. Not without your help. But you're not helping."

    Then go retire those who click the "Like" button. Problem solved.