The suggestion appears in so many places. "Like us on Facebook." Every posting (almost) offers the possibility to like what one has just read. I find myself liking this, a bit to my surprise. Why the positive response?
1) Grammatical reason: like is after all a verb. I like that the word like is being used in a way close to what I take to be its central meaning, one that indicates approval, perhaps even affection.
2) Attitudinal reason: like indicates a positive response. I like that I'm being offered the opportunity to express approval, perhaps even affection, without the corresponding negative options. Of course I could type those in, but the default for response is "like." Maybe this is a bit like the adage, "If you don't have something good to say, don't say anything." Nonetheless, I like that I'm being encouraged to express my approval, delight, appreciation, or other positive responses.
NB: I do not, by this approval of liking, mean to suggest that there are no situations in which disapproval or protest is necessary; only that casual negative response is not healthy for individuals or conducive to community life.
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