Bob Crum

Todd Spangler, N.Y. digital editor at Variety.com digital news, wrote this: Instagram tests hiding likes. What? No likes? Beyond disastrous!

For all not familiar with Instagram, it's a free social networking service consisting of sharing photos and videos from phonetographers! Like most social media apps, Instagram allows you to follow users that you're interested in following. This creates a feed on the homepage showing recent posts from everyone you follow. You can Like posts and comment on them. (yawn)

Those with a personality disorder known as narcissism thrive on "likes" for their posted photos or videos. Such types should hurry and stock up on antidepressants because 'likes' are going bye-bye. Sorry, phonetographers, I realize that this news is like a dagger to the heart of your cellphone posts. How many likes did you get for that selfie with your cute little chihuahua? Ain't going to happen anymore!

Spangler reported that "Instagram is about to launch a test of removing like counts from posts in the U.S. — and, predictably, the idea has been met with a range of reactions ranging from praise and support to concern and mockery."

The hope is that the change can reduce anxiety among Instagram users, to make social media less of a competition, especially among younger people, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri explained in announcing the U.S. test at the Wired25 event Friday.

'I think you also have to rethink some of the fundamentals about how Instagram works, and so that's what we're trying to do with private like counts,' he said. "The idea is to try and depressurize Instagram, make it less of a competition, give people more space to focus on connecting with people that they love, things that inspire them.'

Mosseri added, "We will make decisions that hurt the business [in the short term] if they're good for people's well-being and health — because it has to be good for the business over the long-term."

Spangler added: "Feedback started pouring in immediately. Some opined that removing like counts (while still making them viewable to Instagram users for their posts) will effectively destroy a pivotal piece of the platform's social currency."

"If Instagram gets rid of likes, half of Los Angeles will be out of business," quipped Tommy Alter, supervising producer at "Desus & Mero" on Showtime." Nonsense!

"Without likes, recognition in the art world returns to 'who you know' or subjective elitist tastes," artist Peter DeLuce tweeted. Really?

The move to do away with 'likes' is intended to "make Instagram a safer place and to stop users from allowing 'likes' to dictate their content." That's good news. I was growing weary of having to get my revolver out when going to the Instagram website. But not sure how 'likes' would in any way dictate content. Wait. But of course! A bazillion 'likes' of a mermaid boudoir photo would indeed dictate submitting more of the same content. Why not enjoy ten bazillion 'likes'-the honey of narcissists.

I have an Instagram account but have not yet posted any photos or video. Why not? 'Likes' are useless if not accepted at Subway or Vons. Besides, I love what I do photographically speaking. It's fun done for personal pleasure. And it scratches my creative itch. Whether or not anyone likes a photo I made matters not. Besides, all art-including photography-is subjective.

If you're not sure you should open an Instagram account, take a free narcissistic evaluation test: https://www.psycom.net/narcissistic-personality-disorder-test. If you pass, promptly open the account-you'll fit right in.

Photo of the week is Doggie Ahoy up close and personal at Trunk or Treat. Please give him a breath freshener!

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