How is lurve like life? How is it different?
It seems to me that lurve must be analogous to some kind of common human behavior in real life, although I’m not at all sure if I could put my finger on what it is. At the same time, it seems like it is different from real life analogies.
What is lurve for? Do we do something similar in real life? How would you compare lurve to analogous behaviors in real life? How do you think it works as an online system?
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26 Answers
seems that some are way more obsessed over it than others, :)~ same with life
We all like some lurve now and then.
It’s a pat on the back. A “nice job bucko”.
Without lurve we are birds with broken wings.
I think of lurve as a smile or a hug! That’s why I give lurve out freely.
Maybe it’s the lack of a direct analog to lurve in real life that makes Fluther so compelling. I can’t think of any situation in a typical life where you offer up a nugget of your experience, or thought, or knowledge, or wit to a large group and get instant, quantifiable, anonymous feedback on that particular nugget.
When you’re having a conversation in polite company, you get all kinds of disingenuous feedback. People nod and smile and laugh even if they inwardly think you’re lame because they feel bound by civility to coddle your feelings somewhat. You know this because you probably do the same. So how valuable is that feedback, really? Everybody at a dinner party compliments the hostess on the food, even if they fed it to the dog.
Maybe Fluther lurve feels like a more trustworthy indicator of how the products of your brain pass muster with the public at large. No one is under any obligation at all to click the GA button, so there’s no reason to question their motives. The approval is quantifiable to boot. It’s as if you sit down in front of the computer, speak your mind into it, and get back a reading on the affirmation meter.
Maybe a good analog would be taking a swing with the mallet at the carnival to try to ring the bell. Each comment is like a swing of the mallet; you give it your best shot and see how high the ringer goes. Deep down, you know that the result isn’t actually going to change your life at all; but, for some reason you still swing hard, and the higher it goes, the better it makes you feel.
Everybody needs somebody to lurve.
I actually tell people I lurve them in real life situations. I tend to use it with friends and loved ones, and I consider it the mushy part of love. On Fluther I consider it a “God, that was a fantastic answer, I lurve ‘insert Fluther person’.”
Positive reinforcement. When I get lurve I feel heard and appreciated. When I give it I hope the other person feels the same way, and I agree with their answer or think it is a good argument even if it did not overall change my position.
I can’t figure it out. Someone just said recently in a related question that they often get it when they least expect it and conversely when think they have given a response that deserves it, none is given. I agree.
Along the same line, is the being added to someone’s fluther. It reminds me of being included in the right group at school.
It really is like a large extended family, a bit dysfunctional, a bit loving, a bit supportive, a bit annoying. All those components one finds in life, but you can just
turn it off if it gets too intense! There were times when I really wished I could have done that to my real family!
Lurve shows the respect and appreciation people have for you. The more you get it, the more you’re encouraged to participate and do it again. Everyone loves to feel useful.
That’s why I do it, at least.
I agree with @SpatzieLover , to me it’s like a smile from a stranger, or a hug from a friend.
amazing explanation and analogy harp :)
I use in terms of “Nice one!” Which could mean good answer, or good joke. Sort of like sincerely complementing someone in real life.
Everyone wants to be lurved: We all are looking for acceptance.
Everyone is looking for someone to lurve: We are identifying with others.
I’m a lurver,
You’re a lurver,
He’s a lurver,
She’s a lurver,
Wouldn’t you like to be a lurver too?
LOL @bluefreedom! Great Dr. Pepper refference.
Don’t you wish lurve were used in real life? I know we’ve discussed this before, but I have strong urges to give GAs to people, newspaper articles, websites, emails… so many things!
“They like me, they really, really like me.”
No, really, it would be like either a “Good job, man” or a “Thanks, dude” accompanied with a nod.
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