There's also a critical difference between the Dislike and Like functions. When we had both, I could rightfully click either button for any reason that tickles my fancy: the kink involved, the creativity of the idea, the characterization, the grammar, anything. However, with the system as it was, we can't rightfully say there's a reason to be suspicious unless there's an absurd quantity of them (as was done in The Ms. Shabby Incident). I fought firmly to minimize the malicious Dislike fallout by arguing the necessity of reviews to facilitate a community watch and utilizing the report button to create a map of pattern behavior. It had its problems, but it would have been a means to ensure Dislikes at least attempted to have validity to them. How does that really work with Likes? "I really enjoy all of your historical references mingled in," says nothing about the quality, but isn't it also a valid reason to Like a thread? If it's meant to be artificial, how could we tell? Sure, a map of activity could help, but only if the person is utterly stupid about it. Situational ideas aside, how do we tell if comments similar to my example are proper positive reviews or biased, exploitative ones? Unless someone can answer that definitively, self-Liking shouldn't even be a consideration.
If you want a special way to tell the world you're proud of this particular piece, then either leave a note at the top of the thread's body saying as much, or petition Friedman to expand the Highlighted parameter to include a purely aesthetic addition to thread bodies that sacrifices any and all promotional advantages to gain a limitless supply. A Like doesn't tell the world you're proud of this thread. You're the only one who knows who Likes your threads unless the comments reveal other fans, so self-Liking your special threads doesn't even communicate your pride, thereby mooting the argument.
