Slideshows – articles for dummies

I really, really hate it when online sources turn lists into slideshows.  Maybe they think the pictures will make the list more memorable, but mostly it makes it a waste of time and bandwidth as the photos – or now, gifs! – load. 

To me, things are done as a slide show for one or more of the following reasons:

• The writer doesn’t have enough information to write a real article of substance, so is taking something short and making it long 
• The writer doesn’t really know how to write.  The pause of page reloads makes it less obvious that there's no flow.  Or even, no content of value. 
• The website wants every reader to have to click 5, or 8, or 10, or 50! times so that the page reloads and new ads can be presented along with the next photo
•  As above, the writer thinks the pictures will make the list more memorable.  But this implies that the list doesn’t stand on its own
• The writer thinks the article is funnier with the pictures

It’s not that I mind pictures as part of an article.  Even I do it occasionally.  See? 

Here’s the Brookfield Zoo’s new baby gorilla, Nora, with her mom, Koola.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with this article, except that I have significant respect for our gorilla cousins.  I doubt they’d communicate with slideshows.

What I mind is an article that essentially consists of One. Picture. At. A. Time. Each with a one-liner (the “list”) or possibly a short explanation along with it.  No matter how much the title intrigued me, I am very likely to X the browser tab and move on.  A picture is NOT worth a thousand words when it’s just a representation for a sentence of six.  

There are also “fake slideshows” showing up.  This is only slightly better.  You don’t have to click to see the next picture, but for every sentence there’s a picture.  Or two.  This morning I clicked on something and it took FOREVER to load.  It turned out to be because essentially for every 1-2 sentence “paragraph”, there were, side-by-side, one photo and one gif.  I didn’t even let it finish loading.  I no longer remember what the topic was. 

Boys and girls, when I just want to look at photos for fun, I’ll visit the Cheezburger network.  When I want information, I want to read it (okay, exceptions for TED talks, about which more in a future post).  If you don’t have enough to say, don’t go looking for pictures and then publish them.  Please. 

Introductions

Variety is the spice of life.  This is my clever way of not having to choose a single topic or category for my blog.  I've never grabbed just one thing and run with it to the exclusion of all others.  As a professional I am happiest when I have to wear multiple hats.  I have lots of interests both at work and elsewhere and want to pay homage to the richness it gives my life. 

I recognize the "lack of focus" might mean few other than my own circle of supportive and tolerant friends will wish to follow me -- but that's just fine.  If I have some great conversations and make a few new friends along the way, that's all I could wish from this exercise in public musing.  I've NO interest in becoming famous, only in increasing my connections in a way that benefits both me and those friends-to-be. 

So, welcome to March 2010.  It is something of an arbitrary beginning.   I don't know about you, but I figure I'm about halfway through my life.  I intend to make it the better half! 

Here is something I read and think about every day.  It's on the wall above my computer:

My life is a sacred journey

It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation

Continuously expanding my vision of what is possible,

Stretching my soul,

Learning to see clearly and deeply,

Taking courageous risks,

Embracing challenges at every step of the way.

I am on the path--

Exactly where I am meant to be, now.

And from here, I can only go forward, shaping my life story in a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, beauty, wisdom, power, dignity and love. 

Here's to our journeys, starting today.