Why Lists Are Stupid

The media just doesn't get it....

Recently a media story listing a "Top Ten" about gravel races has been getting a lot of attention. That's pretty interesting for a couple of reasons.

First of all, you have to understand the way media sites make money. They make money by telling potential advertisers about their Google Analytic numbers and other web metrics. More is better. Meaning more hits on a site, or a particular story is good for gathering and maintaining a certain stable of paying advertisers so the web monkeys can make a living. Sites get more hits by posting certain stories that get you to click on the link. They know what prompts this and that is all they need- for you to click on the link! 

One of the best ways to get folks to click on a link is to list things as a "Top Ten", or "Five Ways To Get Fit", etc. People love lists and click the bejesus outta them links! This is good for business and so as far as the particular content behind these links goes, anything is game. They usually have a LOT of B.S. in them. Take for instance the aforementioned "Top Ten" of gravel races in the U.S. (See it here if you must, but really- DON'T CLICK THE LINK!!)

This list has ten gravel road races listed on it as being the "ten best" in America. Of the ten, one has been cancelled for 2014, one hasn't even happened ever before, and another is so underground that you have to almost know someone to even get in the event. What's worse is that the list doesn't include one of the most seminal grassroots gravel races ever- The Almanzo 100. That is unconscionable.

So, once again, a list created to boost site hit numbers has erroneous and misleading info. Don't believe anything you see there folks. If these yahoos can't figure out that one of the best ever gravel events should be on the list, ya can't believe anything they say.