List O’Mania
We have a national obsession with lists. We even make meta-lists – lists of lists. But let us stick to plain, garden variety lists. TV stations and newspapers depend on lists. If they don’t give us our daily fix, we will turn to other channels and other news sources. The TV announcer says, “We’ll be back right after the break to give you ….the list.” The newspaper says, “Turn to page 42 for the list.” We can hardly wait. We like lists of bests and worsts. For each of these below, there is a corresponding “Worst.”
10 best movies of the year (of the decade, of all-time). [Or it could be 100, 1000, or 10,000.]
Ditto with TV shows.
10 best recipes for chicken noodle soup. [Or apple pie or sauces for shrimp or...]
10 most beautiful women in the world. [Or 10 "hottest" women.]
3 best moments in your life. [Nobody has more than 3 best moments.]
3 things you hate most about George Bush. [Please select from among the following 10.]
10 best vacation beaches.
10 best hotels. [Please give them from 1 to 4 stars.]
10 favorite musicians. [If you are one of 65,550 persons responding to a TV poll, you don't put down "Vivaldi".]
I have scratched the surface. Scratch deeper and you will get an infection. But go to May 13 and look at “Top This and Top That” for more on this. P.S. How about Top 5 posts ever to be on gendinsjournal?
I think we have a genetically encoded predeliction toward lists. I did some guest lecturing once and found that the quickest way to have the students all writing notes was to say, “There are four reasons why. . . .”
Excellent method. If I should ever teach again and if I should give a damn whether students take down the worthless ideas I have, I’ll make sure to adopt your technique.