Yea it’s an aesthetic preference I suppose. Exchanging a token of scarcity as a positive response to an online interaction makes it feel more real, more meaningful. No need for that IRL but in cyberspace seems like a useful anchor
Discussion
In the real world sometimes I respond to a comment with a nod, a wry smile, or a frown. Reactions are an online replacement for that. It's why emoticons were invented at the dawn of text based communication, and adopted for use in the digital age.
Also, a lot of people on social media are lurkers, some estimate as high as 90%. Reactions provide a frictionless way for them to interact & respond if they don't want to comment, or send me money for a comment or post.
I'm not against zaps, and as someone who often creates his own content to post on Nostr I find them valuable. But I also realize money isn't the only thing that matters. Knowing that I made someone laugh, or feel emotion, or that they disagree with me is valuable too.
I think onlyzaps is short-sighted, and overlooks the value in a sub channel of communication that has existed on the Internet since it's very beginning.