the bizarre social currency behind “hearts” and “likes”
Why do I “heart” some photos and not others? Why am i sparing? I know it will make the photographer feel good. it subtly strengthens my relationship with them. it doesn’t cost me anything…but why when I scroll through 10 photos on Instagram will i only “give out” one heart? Am I worried about being perceived as “loose” or “easy” with my hearts? Do I think they’ll have less positive impact or perceived value by my graph if I “heart” too much? Does what I heart say something about me to my graph? Do i want the publisher/content creator to appreciate my taste, think of me as discerning, or maybe I just want to have power and be judgmental…and dole out accolades only as I please…only when I feel like a piece of content or a photo is worthy…maybe it’s just about me and holding even the slightest modicum of authority over my friends and acquaintences…I spend my “likes” and my “hearts” like a spend money…only where i see fit, only when I see value…and what I spend it on says something about me and also says something to the recipient of that value…but if i spent money on everything I would be wasteful…and I don’t want to be wasteful with my social accolades…because they will lose their value from every dimension…so no…that awesome puppy you just published to instagram??? i’m not gonna heart it…because I hearted your sunset yesterday…and i’m not that easy
Jordan Cooper's Blog: startups, venture capital, etc... 
I keep waiting for Klout to exert a social currency exchange.
Jeff Fedor (@jfedor)
May 10, 2012
klout makes me sad in my heart
jordancooper
May 10, 2012
Amen, but hey the Popchips were a tasty perk
Jeff Fedor (@jfedor)
May 10, 2012
❤
Yair Riemer (@YairR)
May 10, 2012
i heart is so 8th grade girly. it bugs me. and i’m a girl. i want the “justrockedmyworld” & “itfuckin’rocks” options. something a little more edgy. something that says a little bit more about how i heart in the world ;O)
Christine (@cag123)
May 10, 2012
that’s what “comments” are for, no?
jordancooper
May 10, 2012
i’m busy…i’d rather hit a button. but, interesting point to be made…since i do take the time to add comments to things that are really interesting to me :O)
Christine (@cag123)
May 10, 2012
Like this post.
Pierre Valade (@pierrevalade)
May 10, 2012
This is great
d
May 10, 2012
Our distribution of this imaginary social currency really does get to the core of human behavior and psyche. I “heart” this post.
Kristen M
May 19, 2012