In my opinion the least effort principle here undermines the actual purpose of the article though. It’s not about being virtuous it’s about them actually taking

In my opinion the least effort principle here undermines the actual purpose of the article though. It’s not about being virtuous it’s about them actually taking the time to understand 11 words without shortcuts which you may get wrong. 11 word headlines are already a shortcut and there is a point where more shortcuts are just taking the piss. Besides, on the internet I’ve probably already committed to clicking on an article before I see most illustrations. I think illustrative pictures should always add to an article, not be a shortcut to decide interest. “This public square on Franklin Street is the number one place to have your bike stolen in London” not “remember what a bike looks like?” The “only respond to the headline” problem HN has is an extended version of the problem.