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Top 10 Things Wrong With Top 10 Lists

You won't believe #5!

Kurt A. Fisher

Feb 01, 2016

University of Scranton

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“Top 10 Cutest Animals That Ever Existed!”

“Top 10 TV Moms We Wish Were Our Moms!”

“Top 10 Foods You HAVE to Eat!”

How many of you have seen these types of web articles? How many of you have clicked on one? Fittingly called “listicles,” these articles run rampant across our newsfeeds and sidebars. But don’t let them fool you. Beneath their eye-catching photos and gripping titles, most (but not all) of these listicles are the same unsatisfying, empty and deceiving reads for these reasons. Read more to find out!

1. The title

2. Excessive use of out-of-context GIFs

3. Using quick, bolded statements to convey an idea without actually explaining the idea in depth

4. You won't believe #5!

5. Each list is more of the same

6. Each list is more of the same

7. "Top 10 Disney Movies" and "Top 10 Things About Being a 90's Kid"- The unjust exploitation of our childhood

8. The proliferation of clickbait

9. If not a "Top 10 List," then it's typically some random number like "Top 17," "Top 53" or "Top 1753" list

Click "CONTINUE" for #10!

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Top 10 Things Wrong With Top 10 Lists

You won't believe #5!

1. The title

2. Excessive use of out-of-context GIFs

3. Using quick, bolded statements to convey an idea without actually explaining the idea in depth

4. You won't believe #5!

5. Each list is more of the same

6. Each list is more of the same

7. "Top 10 Disney Movies" and "Top 10 Things About Being a 90's Kid"- The unjust exploitation of our childhood

8. The proliferation of clickbait

9. If not a "Top 10 List," then it's typically some random number like "Top 17," "Top 53" or "Top 1753" list

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Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

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