Comments on: 5 Reasons to Avoid Lists (& 1 Reason to Read Them) http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:11:50 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Daniel Memenode http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74511 Daniel Memenode Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:44:44 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74511 Interesting article. To say I thought of using some lists on my blog would be redundant as that's no surprise. :P But now I think I'm gonna try and reduce that to a minimum and only where they actually provide value aside from being just an attention grabber. An alternative to lists is to use headings to split the article into key components which makes it easier for people to follow and read. That combined with interesting and engaging content and a catchy title should be a good substitute for lists. Interesting article. To say I thought of using some lists on my blog would be redundant as that’s no surprise. :P

But now I think I’m gonna try and reduce that to a minimum and only where they actually provide value aside from being just an attention grabber.

An alternative to lists is to use headings to split the article into key components which makes it easier for people to follow and read. That combined with interesting and engaging content and a catchy title should be a good substitute for lists.

]]> By: Clara http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74296 Clara Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:45:14 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74296 I agree and disagree. Also, I'm a list junkie. It is the lazy man's way of doing thing, but it's also the busy man's way to consume info. I agree and disagree. Also, I’m a list junkie. It is the lazy man’s way of doing thing, but it’s also the busy man’s way to consume info.

]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74274 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:58:36 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74274 Ramesh: You sum it up quite well -- be a conscious reader and take control of what you consume, otherwise you will be the one consumed. Excellent! Thanks for the comment... Kent Ramesh: You sum it up quite well — be a conscious reader and take control of what you consume, otherwise you will be the one consumed.

Excellent! Thanks for the comment…

Kent

]]> By: Ramesh Raghuvanshi http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74266 Ramesh Raghuvanshi Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:15:28 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74266 Read only what is most important.Reaind properly is alsoan art.Today reading matrial pouring thousands way on our brain what to avoid and what to remember is you can acaquire by pratice.only.What may most important you read ,think over it be septic and drawyour own conclusion. Read only what is most important.Reaind properly is alsoan art.Today reading matrial pouring thousands way on our brain what to avoid and what to remember is you can acaquire by pratice.only.What may most important you read ,think over it be septic and drawyour own conclusion.

]]> By: jonathan figaro http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74265 jonathan figaro Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:24:23 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74265 OK i would like to know is the author saying tha list are a good way for blogging or a Bad way to get s reader attention? OK i would like to know is the author saying tha list are a good way for blogging or a Bad way to get s reader attention?

]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74253 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:49:55 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74253 Positively Present: My first response to your comment was meant for "Pol" (above yours). I apologize to you and to Pol! With regard to your comment, I agree. At times, I feel as if a given post I am writing will work well as a list but I also feel as if the list format can reduce the quality of the post's content. This brings about a dilemma, especially with "self-improvement" bloggers (which I don't consider myself to be): How does a writer help a reader "improve" their self by finding gimmicky ways to attract more readers? I am sure some bloggers can do this effectively (use lists and simultaneously help rather than hinder "self-improvement"). Thanks for provoking thought. Kent Positively Present: My first response to your comment was meant for “Pol” (above yours). I apologize to you and to Pol!

With regard to your comment, I agree. At times, I feel as if a given post I am writing will work well as a list but I also feel as if the list format can reduce the quality of the post’s content. This brings about a dilemma, especially with “self-improvement” bloggers (which I don’t consider myself to be): How does a writer help a reader “improve” their self by finding gimmicky ways to attract more readers?

I am sure some bloggers can do this effectively (use lists and simultaneously help rather than hinder “self-improvement”).

Thanks for provoking thought.

Kent

]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74252 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:11:41 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74252 Steven: Thank you for adding to (and solidifying) my point! The fact that a publisher sells more magazines with mention of a list on the cover says that the quality of the content matters less than the format. It also says that the publisher is not in the business of distributing useful information, it is in the business of selling magazines first (and perhaps distributing useful information second). If the content cannot stand on its own without the use of the list, then why read it (or why write it)? In a perfect world, the list format would be used because the writer feels that their message needs to be heard and the list might capture more attention (and hence help more people). You said that you "love lists." What is the reason? Thanks again for the comment. Kent Steven: Thank you for adding to (and solidifying) my point! The fact that a publisher sells more magazines with mention of a list on the cover says that the quality of the content matters less than the format.

It also says that the publisher is not in the business of distributing useful information, it is in the business of selling magazines first (and perhaps distributing useful information second).

If the content cannot stand on its own without the use of the list, then why read it (or why write it)?

In a perfect world, the list format would be used because the writer feels that their message needs to be heard and the list might capture more attention (and hence help more people).

You said that you “love lists.” What is the reason?

Thanks again for the comment.

Kent

]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74251 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:56:14 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74251 Peter: It's quite alright that you "don't know what to think of this" -- at least you are thinking! As I implied in the post, only the individual will determine the usefulness and use of lists in their lives. What's important is that there is more awareness of the primary use of lists -- to get you to read the content! Peter: It’s quite alright that you “don’t know what to think of this” — at least you are thinking!

As I implied in the post, only the individual will determine the usefulness and use of lists in their lives. What’s important is that there is more awareness of the primary use of lists — to get you to read the content!

]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74250 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:53:07 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74250 Bob: You make a great point. The first item on a list does not necessarily have to be the highest in priority. Depending on the delivery the last item could certainly be the highest in priority. My largest point with this post is self-awareness. While it is true that lists are efficient and work well with the brain's preferences, it is also true that packaging and positioning can highly influence a consumer's purchase of a product. If the reader understands the tactics, techniques and motivations of the media source, the reader may be a bit more selective in what they read (consume). Bob: You make a great point. The first item on a list does not necessarily have to be the highest in priority. Depending on the delivery the last item could certainly be the highest in priority.

My largest point with this post is self-awareness. While it is true that lists are efficient and work well with the brain’s preferences, it is also true that packaging and positioning can highly influence a consumer’s purchase of a product. If the reader understands the tactics, techniques and motivations of the media source, the reader may be a bit more selective in what they read (consume).

]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-avoid-lists-1-reason-to-read-them/comment-page-1/#comment-74249 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:40:00 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/?p=933#comment-74249 Chris: I agree. Lists are becoming so common that they may be losing their effectiveness. At risk of sounding arrogant, I believe the writing and reading of lists is an act of laziness. True, the human brain wants and seeks shortcuts but it also wants chocolate cake. I believe there is a case for balance, as with almost everything in life: The occasional list (and cake) is not necessarily bad. Chris: I agree. Lists are becoming so common that they may be losing their effectiveness. At risk of sounding arrogant, I believe the writing and reading of lists is an act of laziness. True, the human brain wants and seeks shortcuts but it also wants chocolate cake. I believe there is a case for balance, as with almost everything in life: The occasional list (and cake) is not necessarily bad.

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