Likes show attention and acknowledgment in a more subtle and private way. Not all likes are mindless. Some people might feel too shy to comment or repost but they still want to connect with the person who is posting. And for a lot of people, receiving a like allows them to feel “seen” and connected too.

Zapping is cool and it also immediately turns an exchange into a transaction. That’s not what I want. Unclear if that’s what you want.