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Top Ten Reason’s “Top 10 Lists” Suck.
August 25th, 2008 by Geaked

The Top Ten Reason’s “Top 10 Lists” Suck.

10.) They are usually numbered in ascending rather than descending order.
9.) There is a misconception that a Top 10 list is backed by research, or is written by someone who is an authority on the subject.
8.) 74% of all lists utilize fabricated or false statistical statements.
7.) They lend themselves to irritating mutant variations like: “The Top 14 reasons to…”
6.) People create Top 10 lists thinking it will drive visitor traffic to their site.
5.) More often than not, there are only 2-3 good items surrounded by 7 other “filler” ones.
4.) They lack cynical sarcasm and/or dark humor.
3.) Most are written by people who are too lazy to write good content.
2.) People use them as self-serving, promotional tools.
1.) They clearly infringe upon my patent-pending 5-point Commenting System found at www.junkdrawerblog.com


9 Responses  
  • Jaffer writes:
    August 25th, 2008 at 11:13 am

    5.) I love top ten lists – they are fun to read. Research says so !
    4.) I like five-point commenting as well – there are 5 other reasons why get right to the point.
    3.) You and I became friends by fighting over rights to the 5 point commenting on Kathy's blog.
    4.) You won.
    5.)I forgot what in order this list was supposed to start.

  • Curtis writes:
    August 25th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    Thats a good Top Ten List there! :) I like #3 and use it alot.

  • Geakz writes:
    August 26th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    Hi Curtis and Jaffer. Sorry for the delay in my response…Disqus is now blocked at work, so I can't catch up on replies until I'm home.
    I think Jaffer is in a time continuum warp with his numbering. Tis true, Jaffer and I are now inseparable due to comment organizational standards I imposed upon myself at Kathy's blog. Curtis, thanks for the words. I hope you look at Top 10 Lists in a different light now.

  • Kathy writes:
    August 26th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

    I do like me a good Top 10 list and they're harder to write well than most people think. It's because of #5. But I guess a Top 3 List doesn't sound so enticing, does it?

    How's that patent coming along?

  • Geakz writes:
    August 26th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    Top 3 list? Do I smell… PATENT??

  • TheSnackHound writes:
    August 28th, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    I like “Top 2″ lists. It is more of a couplet than a real list, and indecisive people to have an inner wrestling match. You just don't get that with a top 10 list.

    But seriously, because of Letterman, people expect the #1 in the list to be sort of lame and the #2 or #3 really being the best reason

  • Geakz writes:
    August 29th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

    Hey Snackster! Thanks for dropping a comment in the bucket. I like the Top 2 idea. Maybe a top 1 list? Minimalism at its best. I thought Letterman invented the top 10 list. But I could be wrong. Blog on!

  • Frank N. Stein writes:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    Lol. Guilty of #3 myself. I'm a horrible writer so I rely on things like Top X lists to relay my otherwise undecipherable messages.

  • Geakz writes:
    September 5th, 2008 at 8:16 am

    Hey Furious, I like your honesty! Thanks for dropping in again.


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