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It's not really obligatory, and it would be nice if you guys just stopped posting that, especially on science articles since asking questions is what science do
by jafaku 13y ago
It's not really obligatory, and it would be nice if you guys just stopped posting that, especially on science articles since asking questions is what science does.
- Wingman4l7 13y agoFair enough. However, it's hoped that this might encourage less linkbait-y titles, especially for overviews of new science research. A headline like "Biofilm-inhibiting bacteria may provide an alternative to brushing your teeth" conveys much more information about the content (and doesn't break that "law", either).
- saurik 13y agoMost of the time the people writing these articles have never even heard of Hacker News; this is just a more socially acceptable way to flaunt trivia in front of people to feel smarter while at the same time being able to call "first!".
- Wingman4l7 13y agoNot having heard of Hacker News is irrelevant to writing better headlines. The "law" is hardly trivia; it's a great way to shed light on lazy writing and introduce people to simple manipulative tricks of journalism.
- saurik 13y agoThe headlines are not written by the people on Hacker News: they are written by people on websites other than Hacker News, and then posted verbatim here. If 100% of people on Hacker News read these comments and would never write an article with a question as the title, it would not change the fact that articles with questions as the title would occasionally get posted to Hacker News.
- aptwebapps 13y agoThe article was fine, but the title is still fits the pattern. The answer is 'No'. Or, maybe, 'No, not yet'.
- dfc 13y agoWell said. Anything comment that begins with "Obligatory" is usually worthless almost as bad as "This."