http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=8780080

That's the claim in question. Following that, I asked you for proof to back those accusations up.

I don't think you can reasonably argue that those statements of yours do not mean that the like system is detrimental in your opinion.

If you choose to respond, include a link to the post(s) where I supposedly said what you claim I said.

It's painfully hard for me to admit, but I really have to agree with Rol on this. Nowhere, in ANY of his posts, did he come close to suggesting what you're saying - which is why I said, this entire debate you're currently having with him has done nothing to with the "like" functionality. 

This is an argument that I see repeatedly from people who tend to hold unreasonable opinions. I suppose those people are aware of what they post, therefore a like system would tip the scale against them. Once their own posts show little to no likes while counter-arguments have lots of likes, it would be hard to sway people on the fence with FUD. Without a like system, any longer argument would appear to be balanced between both sides, essentially giving the impression that both sides are equally valid; a like system, however, could do away with such a perception quickly because observers of the argument wouldn't be completely invisible anymore.

No, the point is that someone like potato_hamster knows that he holds unreasonable opinions regardless of the existence or lack thereof of a like system. The existence of a like system would make that more apparent to people at large, so a like system poses a threat.

What you quoted was my response to the statement that a like system serves no other purpose than to distract from the content of conversations.

Huh, when you hit a certain amount of likes, you gain the ability to give blue likes. Interesting.

So, let me state right from the start - there is currently no code to truly "incentivize" this in any way (points, badges, vg$, etc.). Nothing. And at this point, I have no plans to add anything additional to this functionality (beyond MAYBE adding a notification to the author that their post received a "like"). I just want to make sure we are clear on this point.

There is no "dislike" button, and so long as I'm here doing coding, there never will be a "dislike" button. That would absolutely add a potentially serious negative tone to the forums, and I'm not interested in any way of having that here.

As I mentioned in the development thread (where this conversation originally sprung up), the sole reason I added this in the first place was for those situations where somebody had made a good point about something, and rather than go through wasting time (and forum space) by quoting the user just to type the word "Agreed!" - having a way to "like" a post is the most logical way to accomplish this. I honestly have a hard time understanding how something so trivial as this, could possibly be so polarizing. I know the argument to this was that rather than typing "Agreed!", you should always strive to expand on that and why it is you agree - but really, that's exactly the point of this! There are definitely times when a post is so succinct  and truly summarizes your thoughts perfectly, that there's just nothing else you could possibly add - and I believe the author really does deserve to know that you appreciated what they wrote.

If there was the potential to "dislike" a post which could lead to hurt feelings, or  if the "likes" had the ability to raise a post to a "higher" status (highlighting it or floating towards the top or giving it front page status), I would completely understand why people would have a hard time with this and would rally against it (heck, I'd be on the same side and would be rallying against it, too!!!!). But having (what I believe to be) a harmless way to simply let another user know that you liked what they wrote, I just don't think should be so controversial... 

...all that said, I'm still hear to listen and I will do whatever I can to make everyone happy (which I know will be DAMN NEAR impossible)!! The hardest thing about any community (and VGChartz, in particular) is the acceptance of any change! I've been here for over 10yrs, and each time Brett or I would make even the smallest of changes, there would be immediate blow-back - and so all I ask for is a little patience.  :)