March 12, 2010
UTNE READER

11 Reasons Why We Like Top Ten Lists

(In no order of importance)

January/February 2001 Issue
By , h2so4 (www.h2so4.net) 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

11. Anality. We classify what does and does not belong on the list, then put what does belong there in proper order, everything in its place. There is pleasure in this activity.

10. Mastery. We get to make value judgments.

9. Community. There is usually collective authorship in making a list, even if it’s credited to just one person. And the chief motive in doing it is to share our enthusiasms with others.

8. Judgment. When we’re reading (not making) the lists, we find they are never right. Part of the appeal is realizing what you would have come up with.

7. Evolution. Are lists evidence of the evolution of narrative structure into the "superior" language of the list?

6. Simplification. North American humans like to have information in simplified, easily digestible formats.

5. Convenience. Ten is a good happy number.

4. Transparency. The number 10 (or its "equivalent" as "base") can be found in every counting system on earth.

3. Ease. Ten means many, but not too many.

2. Security. It comforts us to know where things fit in the pecking order.

1. Pleasure. The phrase "Top Ten," atop our other reasons, makes nice alliteration.

RELATED CONTENT

From the highly corrosive zine H2SO4 (#13). Subscriptions: $8/yr. (2 issues) from Box 423354, San Francisco, CA 94142.

Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

We’d like to know what you think. To comment, please use this form. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments. First time registrants: You will receive an email confirming your email address. Once you confirm, your comment will be posted. Questions about our comments policy? Click here.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Utne Reader?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!