I read an article a while back that was comparing the trend with likes on social media with a modern form of applause, as kind of primitive way to show popularity, even if its quite meaningless in itself, compared with a true engagement in the speech, or really taking action or learning from the speech.

It quite hit home with me as i always had this feeling that this form of interaction through like is very simplistic, and often replace more though full answer and interaction, or deeper take on the though or information being expressed.

Even with dictator or propaganda show, it always turn extreme with people being forced to applause with applause sign lighting up, as some kind of faked measure of popularity or approval, instead of genuine and deeper reaction.

This form of bot like & upvote remind me a bit if this problematic, and how it sort of neutralize expression of critical thinking and meaningful interaction through dialog to improve understanding of a topic, to turn into a contest of auto validation with primitive expression of approval through crowd applause, and then going back home like if nothing happened.