Annalee Newitz 🍜Here is my article about #Mastodon, the #Fediverse, and federalism for The Atlantic. I did NOT write the headline, which suggests the article is about Ben Franklin (never mentioned in the article) and Bluesky (mentioned a couple of times). LOL but I'm still really excited for you to read this!!! https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/05/social-media-centralism-fediverse/674041/
Mike Hucka@annaleen How did they come up with that headline tho. Ben Franklin?
@mhucka I have no idea. Honestly, this is a thing you have to understand: writers do not get to write their own headlines.
NiftyLinks
Peter Butler@NiftyLinks @annaleen @mhucka not to reply guy (as I reply guy) but I write my own headlines, as do most of the writers at CNET 🤷🏼
I’ve written headlines for my stories at other internet publications as well
Traditional newspapers and magazines, sure, but online it’s onlythe big guys like NYT and WaPO (and The Atlantic!) who have copy editors write heds /ime
@peterbutler the only time I have ever written headlines was when I was an editor/writer on staff. as a freelancer? I might suggest a headline that ended up getting used, but that's about it.
@peterbutler @annaleen @mhucka Thanks! I'll update my expectations accordingly. :) My experience is in print journalism and it's pretty dated these days, too.
@NiftyLinks @annaleen @mhucka Yeah, it’s much more important in print because it’s gotta fit — I think that’s why it was traditionally left to copy editors — now we’re lucky if we even have copy editors. times are tight
@peterbutler @NiftyLinks @mhucka ugh so true. I always feel ridiculously lucky if I get fact checked and copyedited (both happened for this article).
BlueDot🇺🇦@peterbutler @NiftyLinks @annaleen @mhucka
I got a cruel lesson in headline writing when I was in high school.
Around the time the Clean Air Act became law, I was in my school's Ecology Club. I wrote a piece for the local newspaper about burning yard waste. 'Please don't burn piles of leaves, it pollutes the air.' Pretty mild stuff.
The editor chose to headline it "Burn Baby Burn."
Dana Priesing
Sheldon@peterbutler probably because your average American wouldn't recognize a satirical depiction of Alexander Hamilton from Sylvester the Cat whereas almost everyone can identify Ben Franklin from anything within low Earth orbit.
@peterbutler @annaleen @mhucka Who knows!? Why say Franklin would've like Bluesky, instead of Mastodon, the less corporate, earlier service? Mysteries to ponder....
Annaleen, I found your piece very diplomatic.
Annaleen, I found your piece very diplomatic.
Drew Mochak