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Claps, Likes, and Golden Trophies.
Understanding the Impact on Artists’ Visibility
Clicking the clap or like button should not feel like handing out a golden statue at an award ceremony. For most artists, it feels much harder to get a like than an award. To be clear, I’m using the term “artist” to refer to anyone who creates. They might be an actual artist, a writer, an illustrator, a musician, a singer, a mathematician, a cook, a YouTuber, or anyone putting their work out into the public.
Likes and Hearts are Free
Likes and hearts are free to give, but they seem harder to win than an Oscar or a Grammy. Who are the nominees for the likes, and what are the categories? Who knows? It appears to be one of life’s grand mysteries. I’m sad to see all the talent at these award shows, but only one nominee will take home the trophy. There were many more deserving artists that did not even get nominated. For those of us who create for a living, we often identify more with the artists who did not even get a nomination or invite to the show. If likes and hearts do not cost anything to give, why do so few people give them?
