Just my opinion… but the "like" option has considerably cut down on interaction on forums. Especially this one.
Example:
I've posted pics on here where you can see the views. Let's say you get 100 views.
You're going to get 15 likes and 2 comments.
Let's say those 15 likes were comments, that's 15 more chances of interaction to help carry the thread. 15 more chances to make fun of someone or ask a question.
It's just more convenient for a new person or lurker to smash the like instead of typing out "you're missing 3 lugnuts, peckerhead" like we did in the old days.