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Fair enough. However, it's hoped that this might encourage less linkbait-y titles, especially for overviews of new science research. A headline like "Biofilm-
by Wingman4l7 13y ago
Fair 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.