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> These 3 Federal Government Jobs Might Actually Just Change Everything That's the worst kind of link bait title. A type lambasted and ridiculed here, xkcd and

by leokun 13y ago

> These 3 Federal Government Jobs Might Actually Just Change Everything That's the worst kind of link bait title. A type lambasted and ridiculed here, xkcd and everywhere else. HN should have some kind of smart filter to just auto flag these kinds of submissions. Edit: And it's flagged off the home page. Good riddance. Maybe be a little bit less silly with your headline next time jason.

timje1 13y ago
7 surprising tricks for spotting link bait titles that might just transform HN
jasonshen 13y ago
I appreciate your thoughts but I have to disagree with your concern - headlines have evolved over the years because writers have figured out what is more effective. Users have limited attention and especially with something as important as these roles, it is my responsibility to make the article as enticing as possible to read. Headlines offer a promise to the reader and it is the writers job to then deliver on that promise. I believe I do so in the post itself. If you disagree, that's fine, but I don't consider the title link bait, because that suggests that the actual content failed to deliver on the promise.
- leokun 13y ago
  > it is my responsibility to make the article as enticing as possible to read It's your responsibility as a writer to be honest. Why is it your job to make a post enticing? If being honest with the title of your post isn't enticing then I'm afraid your article isn't interesting and lying about its contents are not the right solution. And your title is not honest. Change everything? Are you kidding me? > headlines have evolved over the years because writers have figured out what is more effective You make it sound like you've no responsibility for your actions. Hey it's out of your hands, other writers have figured this out and you must follow. And all you have to show for it is a flagged post and at least in my case a big minus in my opinion for ride joy. You come across as a bit too much self-promoting. Reviews for your book also mention humble-brags, so it's not a stretch. Personally I put integrity above fleeting success, but your milage may vary.
- dragonwriter 13y ago
  > Headlines offer a promise to the reader and it is the writers job to then deliver on that promise. I believe I do so in the post itself. You don't. You don't have anything in the post that really addresses how the jobs, individually or collectively, might change anything, much less everything. Heck, you don't, in the body of the post, even discuss what it is that the programs these positions involve leading are.

by leokun 13y ago

timje1 13y ago

7 surprising tricks for spotting link bait titles that might just transform HN

jasonshen 13y ago

I appreciate your thoughts but I have to disagree with your concern - headlines have evolved over the years because writers have figured out what is more effective. Users have limited attention and especially with something as important as these roles, it is my responsibility to make the article as enticing as possible to read. Headlines offer a promise to the reader and it is the writers job to then deliver on that promise. I believe I do so in the post itself. If you disagree, that's fine, but I don't consider the title link bait, because that suggests that the actual content failed to deliver on the promise.

leokun 13y ago
> it is my responsibility to make the article as enticing as possible to read It's your responsibility as a writer to be honest. Why is it your job to make a post enticing? If being honest with the title of your post isn't enticing then I'm afraid your article isn't interesting and lying about its contents are not the right solution. And your title is not honest. Change everything? Are you kidding me? > headlines have evolved over the years because writers have figured out what is more effective You make it sound like you've no responsibility for your actions. Hey it's out of your hands, other writers have figured this out and you must follow. And all you have to show for it is a flagged post and at least in my case a big minus in my opinion for ride joy. You come across as a bit too much self-promoting. Reviews for your book also mention humble-brags, so it's not a stretch. Personally I put integrity above fleeting success, but your milage may vary.
dragonwriter 13y ago
> Headlines offer a promise to the reader and it is the writers job to then deliver on that promise. I believe I do so in the post itself. You don't. You don't have anything in the post that really addresses how the jobs, individually or collectively, might change anything, much less everything. Heck, you don't, in the body of the post, even discuss what it is that the programs these positions involve leading are.