If you don't like the social network features and use Firefox, try the Ghostery anti-tracking addon. Thanks to it I don't see them anymore. It can also block google analytics, doubleclick and such shite from tracking your web activities.

My most recent trip report has 20 SP votes and 48 FB likes. It's interesting that it received more votes from FB than the SP community. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

It has to do with members vs non members I think. Probably a good thing in your case because it enables you to see how many "non members" liked it. Although a few members probably "liked it".