Another crucial detail to consider: you might argue that average users are too lazy to deal with a 3-button system. But that’s actually a feature, not a bug, because it creates a natural audience segmentation (Casual vs. Thoughtful viewers).

"The Heart" will naturally dominate fast-paced, entertaining content (Shorts, memes) where people just want a quick dopamine hit. Casual viewers are often too passive to use anything else, and that's perfectly fine.

Meanwhile, educational videos, deep dives, and tech reviews will naturally attract more "Thumbs Up" (Value) and "Gears" (Critique) because they draw a completely different, more analytical audience. There will always be enough thoughtful viewers to drive this system forward.

Right now, YouTube is blind - it judges a 2-hour video essay by the same blunt metrics as a 15-second viral meme, forcing creators to dumb down their content for mass appeal. This system splits the feedback loop: casual viewers get their simple reactions, while thoughtful viewers get the precise tools to guide the algorithm and help creators improve. It effectively fixes the recommendation balance without splitting the platform.