It Takes Convincing: How To Write Opening Paragraphs

You believe that whatever you’re writing about is worth sharing. But your reader probably isn’t so sure. After all, there are now close to a billion websites. That’s a billion websites promising to have something of interest to someone. Readers know better. Your opening paragraph or lead has to overcome this skepticism. But how? The… Continue reading It Takes Convincing: How To Write Opening Paragraphs

The Art of Titles: 6 Lessons on Style

"No Name" Street Sign

I just clicked on an article entitled: “Our Average Attention Span is Now Shorter Than Goldfish.” Sure, it’s hyperbole. The headline also doesn’t make perfect sense, at least not grammatically—Do we measure our attention spans in goldfish lengths? But none of this stopped me from clicking. Who could pass on a headline like that? We… Continue reading The Art of Titles: 6 Lessons on Style

A Model for Writers and Editors at Shoestring Online Magazines

When head honcho Dan Zeevi asked me to write occasional posts on editing, my first thought was to begin with titles. After all, those are the first words on the page. It took some reflection/procrastination to realize it was better to begin by introducing our model. The Long and Short For the magazine, the blockbuster… Continue reading A Model for Writers and Editors at Shoestring Online Magazines

What if a Third of Internet Ad Traffic Was Fraudulent? Wait – It Is

In 2013, marketers dropped a record $42.8 billion on internet advertising according to the trade group Interactive Advertising Bureau. To put that into perspective, during the same year, only about $40 billion was spent on broadcast television ads. But here’s the kicker: an estimated 36% of the billions spent on internet advertising is the result… Continue reading What if a Third of Internet Ad Traffic Was Fraudulent? Wait – It Is

Have an Affair. (Just Not in South Korea.)

People around the world are coming together over the internet, but much of mankind has long had another thing in common: adultery. And perhaps no one has married the web with adultery better than Ashley Madison, the online matchmaker of the unfaithful. Ashley, however, suffered a setback last week in its amorous mission. When it… Continue reading Have an Affair. (Just Not in South Korea.)

Pop Goes the Internet Sector?

On Friday, the tech-heavy NASDAQ stock market index closed at 4,000, down almost 10% from its post-recession high. That’s got Wall Street recalling the burst of the dot.com bubble. In March 2000, creator and CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg was 15 years old. That same month the NASDAQ peaked at 5,132 points. And then the… Continue reading Pop Goes the Internet Sector?

2 Out of 10 Young Adults Admit to Using Their Smartphones During Sex

This just out: A cool 20% of adults ages 18-34 admit to using their smartphones during sex. It appears smartphone addiction has reached a new high. According to the same study, approximately 9% of American adults admitted to using a cellphone during that most intimate of moments. To what important ends, you ask? Well, the… Continue reading 2 Out of 10 Young Adults Admit to Using Their Smartphones During Sex

Look out for the MOOCs: Online Education Goes Viral

Image: American Independent

Feel like diving into cryptography or computational molecular evolution? Interested in improving your public speaking, refreshing your basic algebra, or exploring sustainable food systems? If you answered yes to either of these questions, or want to tackle almost any other academic subject, then you might want to sign up for a Massive Open Online Course.… Continue reading Look out for the MOOCs: Online Education Goes Viral