Which raises a related issue of whether the number of likes/hearts can even be trusted. Given the positive feedback loop they create (posts with many likes are

Which raises a related issue of whether the number of likes/hearts can even be trusted. Given the positive feedback loop they create (posts with many likes are more likely to receive further likes), manipulation of these numbers can be used for influencing opinion and drawing the battle lines. I am highly suspicious of both Twitter and Reddit in this regard.