<devils_advocate>

--- It's worth noting that in discussion forums, people who are good with the written word tend to dominate.
--- Not everybody has that skill. Even among those who are good with words, not everybody feels comfortable
--- expressing their thoughts in public. Yet I think its fair to say that most people in a forum feel a sense
--- of membership in the tribe, and they want to contribute in whatever way is most comfortable to them.

--- The easy agreement options (like buttons, thumbs up, emoji etc) have become the de facto way for quiet people
--- to fit in by agreeing with comments made by others.

--- They also keep busy forums from being flooded with multiple posts saying almost the same thing. So I see
--- value in both points of view.

</devils_advocate>