“This state” takes ten characters; “Nevada” takes six.
This is a forward reference headline, which goes out of its way to conceal what the corresponding story says.
It’s a consequence of click-based advertising and of course it makes our information streams less useful. The practice started among clickbait junk websites but has spread to CNN, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and others.
Don't forget the #SFChronicle as in today "This neighborhood's residents are unhappiest with SF government".
I wonder if they know that modeling editorial policy on the practices of clickbait farms lowers their journalism to the gutter?
Saw this topic and when I you mentioned there was a book I knew it was going on my reading list. I bet I'm not the only one, so...
Calling Bullshit by Carl T. Bergstrom
Link available in Carl's profile. Get those book sales my dude!
Yes, at several high very prominent journals I have been told exactly the opposite: to highlight the question not the result. It annoys me.
Happy to discuss specifics via email
@ct_bergstrom @iwashyna
The editors at Physical Review want the result in the title: “Titles should be concise and informative, clearly stating the main findings of the manuscript.”
@ct_bergstrom @nsarwark
It feels like local TV newscasts started the trend well before websites.
"Local children disappearing, officials are baffled. Are your kids in danger? Tune in at 6 to find out!"
This "cliffhanger serial" practice is very annoying when they use "Republican billionaire donor" phrasing in hopes you'll click & read the article, only to have the article fail to name anyone.
are they brain infections after COVID?
"dies with meningitis" is a new one?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-boy-15-dies-with-meningitis-and-covid-19-in-hospital-20210816-p58j0c.html
that kid died of COVID caught from his #KFC job
A teenager from Sydney’s southwest has died after he contracted pneumococcal meningitis – despite being vaccinated against it – and Covid-19. Osama Suduh, 15, died on Sunday night after being hospitalised for meningitis while he also tested positive for Covid. Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes inflammation of the layers that surround […]
"Tributes pour in for Osama Subuh, who died with Covid-19 after working at KFC Punchbowl"
"with"? "after"?
this story still bugs me.
fifteen year olds don't spontaneously die of lung bacteria in their brain "with" a virus coincidentally at the same time "after" working at a place with an airborne outbreak.
it's very "police involved shooting"
💯
the best and most effective response users can have to it is Never Click on anything with "this" in the headline
Not unlike the style for titles in glamour journals, aiming to imply exaggerated generality.
And there are no advertisers to please on Mastodon, squeezing the money out, like blood from a rock.
No one decides to please advertisers for us, we dont, it doesnt happen.
@ct_bergstrom Missing yet: "_...and the sixth will surprise you!_".
With that, we would have had the full "clickbait bullshit" bingo.
Carl T. Bergstrom
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