^Well even likes can be used to gain so called "popularity" as it also can be counted and boasted. But everything can be hidden. No need to display how many likes one has got overall. It will surely decrease users' appetite for asking likes. If they can't show it, why will they ask on first hand ?
I hope haters get my point.
PS: There are numerous instances when we agree with someone's view and want to support it. And liking it is the best option against quoting it by replying "I agree".
PPS: Everything has got a pro and a con. you can't rule out anything by just stating that it has this and that con. If this was the case, "money"
(the root cause of everything) would never have existed in this world. "Give my moooaar money" Oh yeah!