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This is a strangely written story. I don't get the point of hiding who the person is until the end, it's not like keeping them a secret changed how I felt about

This is a strangely written story. I don't get the point of hiding who the person is until the end, it's not like keeping them a secret changed how I felt about their tale. spoiler, since that's how this article is written Do they think I'd go "oh, who cares about Elvis' grandson?" More likely people wouldn't know anything about his grandson and back out after the first line.

g051051 4y ago
I never liked the old Paul Harvey "Now you know...the rest of the story" thing either. And I don't see how it's a good fit for Hacker News, either.
OzzyB 4y ago
That's exactly why it's written this way -- to devoid the reader of any prejudice and humanize this tragic story -- because it is tragic. If it was written "normally", like "Elvis' Grandson Ben killed himself, and here's why..." some people might hand wave it away as just another "poor little rich boy story". This is also probably one of the reasons for his suicide (IMO of course). I mean, he's Elvis' kid he couldn't possibly be unhappy, right? As to whether or not this is appropriate for HN, I'm also not so sure... but I enjoyed reading it.
- boomboomsubban 4y ago
  The first sentence is >The grandson of a legendary musician, Ben grew up in wealth and luxury. If they're trying to avoid the "poor little rich boy story," they did a poor job. I said nothing about it being unsuited for HN. I take issues with the story telling, not it being posted here.
  - OzzyB 4y ago
    > "poor little rich boy story," I think you're taking my example a little too literally there... it's an example. The point is to save the reveal (spoilers?) till the end so that you can relate to the story more.
    - boomboomsubban 4y ago
      I find it difficult to relate to a story about growing up the ultra wealthy grandson of a famous musician. Them being related to Elvis doesn't make it less relatable. And personally, adding the "who is it" mystery made the story less relatable. Instead of reading it and empathizing, I was trying to figure out who they were talking about. Then there's the morose reveal of "Aha! It was Ben Keough that committed suicide."
throwbadubadu 4y ago
I liked it actually, and also didn't know til then who it is about..
sokoloff 4y ago
I felt like the (largely artificial and entirely author-opted) mystery detracted from the story. I’m no particular fan of Elvis (have gone to Memphis several times and never even considered visiting Graceland), but I guessed it was Elvis’ grandson and spent 20% of my attention trying to confirm or deny that. IMO, it’s not a particularly useful artifice.
hammyhavoc 4y ago
Because it's clickbait. It's really that simple.

g051051 4y ago

I never liked the old Paul Harvey "Now you know...the rest of the story" thing either. And I don't see how it's a good fit for Hacker News, either.

OzzyB 4y ago

That's exactly why it's written this way -- to devoid the reader of any prejudice and humanize this tragic story -- because it is tragic. If it was written "normally", like "Elvis' Grandson Ben killed himself, and here's why..." some people might hand wave it away as just another "poor little rich boy story". This is also probably one of the reasons for his suicide (IMO of course). I mean, he's Elvis' kid he couldn't possibly be unhappy, right? As to whether or not this is appropriate for HN, I'm also not so sure... but I enjoyed reading it.

boomboomsubban 4y ago
The first sentence is >The grandson of a legendary musician, Ben grew up in wealth and luxury. If they're trying to avoid the "poor little rich boy story," they did a poor job. I said nothing about it being unsuited for HN. I take issues with the story telling, not it being posted here.
- OzzyB 4y ago
  > "poor little rich boy story," I think you're taking my example a little too literally there... it's an example. The point is to save the reveal (spoilers?) till the end so that you can relate to the story more.
  - boomboomsubban 4y ago
    I find it difficult to relate to a story about growing up the ultra wealthy grandson of a famous musician. Them being related to Elvis doesn't make it less relatable. And personally, adding the "who is it" mystery made the story less relatable. Instead of reading it and empathizing, I was trying to figure out who they were talking about. Then there's the morose reveal of "Aha! It was Ben Keough that committed suicide."

throwbadubadu 4y ago

I liked it actually, and also didn't know til then who it is about..

sokoloff 4y ago

I felt like the (largely artificial and entirely author-opted) mystery detracted from the story. I’m no particular fan of Elvis (have gone to Memphis several times and never even considered visiting Graceland), but I guessed it was Elvis’ grandson and spent 20% of my attention trying to confirm or deny that. IMO, it’s not a particularly useful artifice.

hammyhavoc 4y ago

Because it's clickbait. It's really that simple.