Just Because You Like Something on Instagram Doesn’t Mean You Actually Like It
Summary
A straphanger drops a scorching take: just because you like something on Instagram doesn't mean you actually like it. He likes murder posts to show awareness. Beautiful women's photos? Those get protest likes for being too inappropriate. Kareem pushes back on the logic, but the rider doubles down, insisting the ambiguity is the point. You don't know when he likes something out of liking it. That's intentional. The conversation spirals into the absurdity of Instagram etiquette, where liking means everything and nothing simultaneously, and vulnerability through comments is absolutely out of the question.
Full Transcript
So what's your take? Just because you like something on Instagram doesn't mean you actually like it. 100% agree. For example, I like tons of horrible news on Instagram. Doesn't mean I like it. Doesn't mean you actually like it. Yeah, crimes, there's murders, there's—but you're smashing the like button.
I hit the like button just as an awareness thing. Someone gets murdered, I like it. Doesn't mean I liked the murder. I don't like that. I can see that you liked it, 'cause then I would see it and I'd be like, "Oh, Ronnie likes murder." Yes. And then if there was a murder, I might consider you a suspect.
Yeah, well, that's—but I like it because it shows people like, "Oh, I'm someone who read this. I'm aware. I'm up to date. Current affairs." And then what? What if you like—let's say a beautiful woman's photo? Doesn't mean I like it. He doesn't? It doesn't. I could be protest liking it. I could be like, "Hey, this, you know, depends on how she's dressed. I'm like, 'Hey, I—this is inappropriate for the internet. There's kids here.' I better like this so that—just to let people know, 'Hey, this is inappropriate. This is inappropriate.' Like, I want to say I recognize. I see you. I hear you. I see you. I see these boobs. I do not approve of this. I'm liking it."
I—wait, you like the post to say that you don't? I don't. I don't approve of this on the internet. I don't know if I agree with your philosophy. I think that you're right that it doesn't mean you like it. Yes. But I don't know if I necessarily like the way that you're using the like.
Well, that's why it's a hot take. I think you should start doing a like and a comment on everything. No, the comment opens yourself up to a necessary debate. I'm not here to debate people.
You don't want to be vulnerable? I definitely don't. Be vulnerable? I definitely do not want anyone to talk to me.
So then how do I know when you like something out of liking it? You don't. You don't.
You know what? My least favorite kind of internet user is— What? The ones that don't like anything? Just looking?
Yeah. Do you think that you'll like this video? No.