NEW RULE: Any Youtuber who uses a large ARROW on the "thumbnail" image will not get my click. [View all]

[QueerDuck]

It doesn't matter what color the arrow is... or how large it is... or even if it points to something that's got a circle around it... the arrow means "CLICKBAIT" which translates to hype, misleading visuals and disappointment.

The same thing goes for Youtubers who ask questions that can be easily (and usually, and safely) answered with "NO". ("Does teen sex cause cancer?" ... "Is the FBI listening to you through Alexa?" ... "Can a neodymium magnet improve your gas mileage?'')

Headline questions that can be answered with "no" are a common journalistic tactic, described by the principle known as Betteridge's Law of Headlines, which states that any headline ending in a question mark can likely be answered with "no". The purpose is to create intrigue and grab attention without making a definitive, potentially inaccurate, claim that could lead to embarrassment or legal issues.

These types of "LOOK AT ME" gimmicks are not intriguing... they're an insult to the intelligence of people who are looking for serious information and thoughtful analysis. It's the equivalent of "You Won't Believe What Happened Next!" or "Doctors Hate This One Weird Trick for Losing Weight" and "This Simple Hack Could Save You Thousands!" headlines in the past.

But, I guess it works, since they keep doing it, especially on monetized and subscriber-based channels.

[/rant_off]

Whew! I feel better now! That's all... thanks for listening.