5 ms·
I wonder how many readers they've netted with their pun-tastic title, and whether we should actually reward that kind of trolling.
by spacemanmatt 4y ago
I wonder how many readers they've netted with their pun-tastic title, and whether we should actually reward that kind of trolling.
- ghaff 4y agoThat's pretty much a The Economist trademark. They really go for cleverness in heds and ledes.
- Lammy 4y agoI can cut them some slack for that part, but it's a drag how they refuse to put the rejigged name directly in the title instead of relying on click bait to reel me in.
- ghaff 4y agoI get your point, but if I'm a headline writer, it's pretty natural to want readers to click though to find out what the new name is--even if they are subscribers. There's definitely a balance between headlines that aren't too cryptic and those that still entice readers to read further.
- noisy_boy 4y agoI don't know... I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
- cbanek 4y agoDon't pay attention to their carping Economist writer. Just keep musseling your way to the top.
- spacemanmatt 4y agoFinally, a comment thread who GETS IT
- thayne 4y agoOr even above the "pay us to read more" line.
- DoreenMichele 4y agoIt's bad journalism. A news story should tell you the summary in the headline. But good journalism is a dying dinosaur, sadly. And the internet and monetization challenges are factors.
- strulovich 4y agoThis headline seems to properly summarize the article. There’s no surprises under it only more detail and nuance.
- DoreenMichele 4y agoBut fails to deliver a critical detail of the news solely for purposes of holding it hostage in order to try to get money out of people.
- closewith 4y agoGood journalism has always cost money. If your objection is that you're asked to pay to read, then journalism has always been dead.
- DoreenMichele 4y agoNo, that's not my argument. I'm a starving writer. I don't know how to solve this, but I have a long history of commenting on it and trying to cast a little light on the connection between monetization issues, poor pay for writers and bad reporting.
- philipswood 4y agoThe actual name given is not critical detail. You are free not to read further (I didn't). I'd say that this is a great headline and is quite fair. A good storytelling is more than just an imparting of mere facts - it raises a question in the mind of the reader or listener each step of the way, thus imparting interest and leading him or her through the facts in an enjoyable way. Clever headlines displayed on the front of a paper newspaper have been used to sell newspapers for probably as long as there newspapers existed.
- rr808 4y agoNot just the Economist, most British newspapers love a clever headline.