Bike socks are mostly just thin synthetic or wool socks. Do you like thin socks? If so, you'll like bike socks. If you don't because you find thin socks to not give as much moisture or shock absorption as you like, you can use a slightly thicker or even moderately thick athletic socks. I use the Fox River AXT (short length) socks. Perfect for me, awful for others.

As petty as it may seem, socks are one more issue in road cycling where you are "supposed to". You're supposed to set your handlebar as low as possible. You're supposed to run a double. You're supposed to run 700x23's. You're supposed to wear thin socks. You're supposed to..