Hm. I've never noticed this phenomenon before, but now that you mention it, I know exactly the kinds of headlines you're talking about - and they're not limited to AOL's news service.
I've never heard of Porter Wagoner. Knowing that he was a country singer, and that he gave Dolly Parton her first break might induce me to click the link, though. Basically, that headline was written for me...
Actually, Porter Wagoner did in fact jumpstart Dolly Parton's music career. I recall he had a traveling road show and Dolly Parton for a long time was the lead female singer. I think she was about 18 at the time. This was back in the early 60's.
AOL is another issue. I gave up on those guys a long time ago and refuse to use their software.
Marketing is everything. A headline obituary on AOL is (in the minds of those who want their headline obit to be read) no different than a bag of Doritos sitting on a rack among all the other chips.
For it to be chosen, the bag must "POP!" You see it, look away and must look back at it. You are drawn to it, you move closer to read the bag better, and every word entices you to touch the bag, feel how good it is, put in in your cart and take it home with you. They don't care if you eat it, as long as you buy it.
Same way with AOL. Virtually everything they say is packaged that way, obits included. It can't give you the sum total of information in the title, or you might not open the package at all. Someone died....someone possible important....someone that the majority of people recognize as a significant individual due to musical talent/literary talent/having once shot a president. To simply say Porter Waggoner died says it all. Incidentals are simply that - incidental to the news.
Even obituaries get headlines, sad and disrespectful as it is.
My head cold remedy is making me loopy. I didn't say what I meant to say - it came out, well, not quite right.
Life is headlines. Even Celia's post was given a headline in the fashion of AOL: "AOL's Condescension Must Stop" doesn't give a clue that you're about to read a post expressing Celia's dissatisfaction with how AOL writes obituary headlines. If so, Celia might have said "AOL Writes Obituary Headlines All Wrong And I Am Not Pleased With It, And Here's Why". What it DOES do is entice you to read more, to discover what she's talking about. Most of the posts are headlined the same way. We are given bait, and to learn more, we must bite - and AOL or the DW poster reels us in.
I think we are so bombarded with the marketing style of headlines that we almost can't write without using some form of it.
I, too, object to the sensationalism of obituaries or illness or calamity that the media uses to draw readers. But Celia's post has made me look at things more closely, and I can find many times when I have used the same method myself. At the time, I didn't think it a bad thing, but right now I feel a bit like a lemming. Or a fish on a stringer.
Side note: I tried to submit this once, but got the blacklist notice because my post included the word "medi (keep reading - can't say it all at once or it will get blacklisted again) cation". What on earth is wrong with that word?
Linda
When he is elected President, Fred Thompson will glower at corn syrup, causing it to transform itself to orange blossom honey. Everywhere. For all itme.
No, Ken, Porter Wagonner wasn't great. He was persistent and of course more famous than say, a cool dude like Mack Vickery and his driving band.
BTW,
There will be no Presidents in the near future named, Fred.
10.29.2007 9:29pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
AOL is another issue. I gave up on those guys a long time ago and refuse to use their software.
For it to be chosen, the bag must "POP!" You see it, look away and must look back at it. You are drawn to it, you move closer to read the bag better, and every word entices you to touch the bag, feel how good it is, put in in your cart and take it home with you. They don't care if you eat it, as long as you buy it.
Same way with AOL. Virtually everything they say is packaged that way, obits included. It can't give you the sum total of information in the title, or you might not open the package at all. Someone died....someone possible important....someone that the majority of people recognize as a significant individual due to musical talent/literary talent/having once shot a president. To simply say Porter Waggoner died says it all. Incidentals are simply that - incidental to the news.
Even obituaries get headlines, sad and disrespectful as it is.
Life is headlines. Even Celia's post was given a headline in the fashion of AOL: "AOL's Condescension Must Stop" doesn't give a clue that you're about to read a post expressing Celia's dissatisfaction with how AOL writes obituary headlines. If so, Celia might have said "AOL Writes Obituary Headlines All Wrong And I Am Not Pleased With It, And Here's Why". What it DOES do is entice you to read more, to discover what she's talking about. Most of the posts are headlined the same way. We are given bait, and to learn more, we must bite - and AOL or the DW poster reels us in.
I think we are so bombarded with the marketing style of headlines that we almost can't write without using some form of it.
I, too, object to the sensationalism of obituaries or illness or calamity that the media uses to draw readers. But Celia's post has made me look at things more closely, and I can find many times when I have used the same method myself. At the time, I didn't think it a bad thing, but right now I feel a bit like a lemming. Or a fish on a stringer.
Side note: I tried to submit this once, but got the blacklist notice because my post included the word "medi (keep reading - can't say it all at once or it will get blacklisted again) cation". What on earth is wrong with that word?
Linda
BTW,
There will be no Presidents in the near future named, Fred.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.