Today I have something funny for you.
It’s called Betteridge’s Law of Headlines.
Betteridge’s Law states that to any headline that is formulated as a yes/no question, you can answer ‘no’.
Wanna try?
Is this the new medicine to cure AIDS?
No.
Is Algeria a paradise for renewable energy?
No.
Are cryptocurrencies taking over the world?
No.
If the answer were ‘yes’, the headline would be different. That’s the idea behind Betteridge’s Law.
A journalist would love to put in the headline that a cure for AIDS has been found.
That’s why headlines with a question have a bad reputation. A reputation of overselling and sensationalism.
Since I know Betteridge’s Law, it’s difficult for me to read headlines with a question in a neutral way.
More examples? There’s a dedicated Betteridge’s Law website with an extensive collection.
Regards,
Arnaud