15 Amazing Listicles That Will Completely Change The Way...Whatever.

Even if you didn't know the name –– a combination of "article" and "list" –– you've probably clicked through one of these short articles.  They promise valuable content in a compact package, which seems ideal.

But then you go to read it, and suddenly, it's not so ideal.

After all, it's the internet, so when you are prompted to click...and click...and click...and click –– understand that the listicle is less about providing information to you than it is about harvesting your attention for advertising pennies.

I know, no duh, but still, I worked in journalism for years. I write for a living, I edit the crap out of stuff, and I STILL feel drawn to the formula. 

Formula? Take an integer + an over-the-top modifier and noun + a promise and Bob's your uncle. Like this:

27 Times Bacon Has Changed the Course of Modern History (Number 3 Will Make You Swear Off Eating in Restaurants!)

via GIPHY

34 High-Def Images of Dust Mites That Will Haunt You Forever


45 Amazing Hacks To Transform Common Household Products Into Creative Table-toppers

It's kind of addicting, actually, once you get going:

35 Things You Absolutely Need to Know about Roqueford Cheese

​19 Pathetic Pick-Up Lines That Make Us Fear for the Future of Procreation...which links to 23 Most Ruthless Tinder Snaps


​18 Shockingly Images of Celebrities Doing Housework –– You'll Never Guess Who Doesn't Sort His Laundry!

37 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Avoid Political Discussions Over the Holidays –– or any other time (#13 is Genius!)


Kind of addicting? Cripes. Must. Quit. Thinking. This. Way.

7 Horrifying Ways Your Creativity Leads You Astray
​

via GIPHY

The numbers alone make me stop and think. I consider the cabalistic weight of them: are they prime numbers? is it whenever the data ran out? 

And I wonder -– is it better to have
17 of the Most Adorable Hedgehog Videos
or 13 of the Most Adorable Hedgehog Videos?

Trick question: There are not EVER enough adorable hedgehog videos in the world.