This Prank Proved That Americans Dont Read Past HeadlinesBy Heather Callaghan A social media April Fools prank spearheaded by NPR in 2014 is ironically drawing some reflection. This isnt one of those frustrating social media psychology tests without the users knowledge. It appears to have been a lighthearted joke and a thank you to readers. NPR posed a question with a link: Why Doesnt America Read Anymore? According to writer Jay Hathaway, commenters squawked: We totally do, NPR. Shut up. We read all the time. Were reading your articleright now! Which only proved that they didnt. Had they actually gone to the link on the NPR website they wouldnt have seen a story, but would have seen this message: If you are reading this, please like this post and do not comment on it, it says. But the social media post was heavily weighted with response-baggage, many of them paragraphs long, chiding NPR and defending their bookdiet trying to ward off perceived disapproval. But theydidnt read the article, did they? Some circles suggest that only 2 out of 10 people will read past the headline. Even though it was all in good humor, it actually unwittingly proved a few points both in the positive and something-to-think-about categories. Writers already know people do this its the frustration they feelwhen they visit their storys post to see if there are discussions, only to see mile-long arguments based on a faulty presumption of the headline. They know the person hasnt read the article before deciding a belief and that headlines invite rock-throwing. That seems to be par for the Internet course. But even worse Is to see people sharing something as though its the gospel, commenting on it and calling for action when you can clearly gather its a completely fabricated satirical headline. Unlike NPR, the satire sites and the malicious, fake websites are not making sure people finally get that it was a joke. Ive commented on threads about sources in hopes that the 12,000 peopleI saw sharefaulty posts did not throw literal rocks at the groups of people targeted in them. That is to say, please dont believe the fake church sign that suggestsMuslim Americans are about to jihad everyone in the U.S. For starters, have you ever seen a mosque sign? Yet, there is no shortage of amazing information; and, unfortunately, the nature of the beast requires that catchy headlines be chosen unless the writer wasthe Stephen King of article authorsand just thename could encourage a click. Its hard for any writer or site to vie for attention. Even then, people often dont read past the headlines. This fact merely shows that people have limited amounts of time in their day and theres nothing wrong with that. The NPR prank might show that people want approval and they want to argue before they know whats what, but it also highlights that people simply feel crunched for time. And this is a problem Its time to prioritize our lives if we want to take information to the next level. Its hard to delve deeper into understanding when time for reading is spread throughout the day over a phone. Wisdom would require understanding to permeate all areas of our lives. This is difficult but it requires batching your time, like what would be effective at work. Studies overwhelmingly show that multitasking is seriously unhealthy. Yet, we are compelled more and more to engage that way is this making us more disengaged at life? Reductionism Lastly, are we being compelled only toaccept communication in memes, bytes, blips, drips and drabs? Is Idiocracyhappening before our eyes? Unaware of what year it was, Joe wandered the streets desperate for help. But the English language had deteriorated into a hybrid of hillbilly, valleygirl, inner-city slang and various grunts. Joe was able to understand them, but when he spoke in an ordinary voice he sounded pompous and If so, wed be better off taking some time to have deeper discussions or time alone to reflect. Its impossible to ban together for better changes if we cannot even communicate ideas. Sensory Overload It might time to take charge of our online reading and harness our time, making sure to reconnect with your spirit, family and nature. Now that youve made it this far in the article, you can grab some popcorn and visit our post and see what happens. Tweet-tweet. (We are encouraging comments) Share this article and tease a friend! Heather Callaghan is a natural health blogger and food freedom activist. You can see her work atNaturalBlaze.com and selfnewsPost.com. Like at Facebook. Recent posts byHeather Callaghan The world listens and reads in sound bites. Anything longer than that people are incapable of comprehending. This is why when propaganda pieces, one excellent example is vaccine article, everything the CDC wants people to know are in the headline and the first, maybe second paragraphs of the piece because anything after that the people phases out and cant follow. Our communications have been reduced to sound bites. 2 examples. panels, news announcers, sitcoms etc; all still refer to 911 as it took place according to the official report. yet no sign of a boeing on the pentagon lawn. They had to change it from global warming to climate change because it made them look like the money-grubbing fools they are. Actually this just goes to prove that some people find deception funny. If the Headline matches the article then there is no reason to read it. Especially when the Headline is a lie. Because the HEADLINE is supposed to be a SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE. And since they READ your headline it negates your joke. But many on the internet love to play the old bait and switch and then pat themselves on the back for their deception/satire. The other day a video game company(COD) released a commercial that looked like a real breaking news story. People thought it was real and didnt check the source. 