[perlpimp]

I agree, saying likes are a(or resemble) currency is dubious preposition at best. FWIW likes as an idea is distorted, there are no unlikes so meaning you have no likes proposes that you have dislikes - except that you don't have way to measure disapproval. Consequently if you would be deprived of likes it would not devalue your work in most but most of the extreme cases.

Likes don't deliver any serious value to all but the most popular of internet celebrities. They do feel good though but you can't pay rent with likes.

IMO YMMW.