I’m well familiar with the “like” and “share” options of different social media tools. However, my understanding of “likes” have always been limited to some amateur stuffs that people do when they roam around on the web. I actually never thought of the fact that likes could worth so much to someone. If we try to identify the winners of the like game, both the like generating people and the companies win. People who are successfully making followers are getting benefited by receiving fame, products, and cash. On the other hand, the companies are building their customer population analyzing the likes that each popular figure generates.

To recognize anyone who’s being exploited I’d say it’s the followers. Many of them are just following the crowd without realizing how their personal information is being monitored, collected, and used.  They of course, only get to follow, which is not any actual benefit that could be utilized for anything. Some people however, are aware of what’s going on. They would still “like” things to feel good or the connection to a specific group.