4 ms·

I've noticed that too. Alas, everybody wants a shortcut -- and the word 'hacked' implies that someone found one (for stories like these).

• brown9-2 14y ago
  I think it also makes the link that much more attractive to readers: "How we Did A Very Good Job on the Y Combinator Application Process and Got in" versus "How we Hacked the Y Combinator Application Process and Got in"
  • cletus 14y ago
    There's a word for when you choose a snappier title that doesn't reflect reality to get more clicks. It's called linkbait.
    • davidw 14y ago
      "How we got into YC: by storming the building with assault rifles and smoke grenades!"
      • rohern 14y ago
        Now that article I would read.
        • jrockway 14y ago
          For once "Pics or it didn't happen," might actually be on-topic!
• jhaile 14y ago
  Yeah - except they didn't find a shortcut. They just worked really hard and prepared. That's a good thing - but it's not "a hack." That word is just being overused now to the point of hilarity.