Likely Normal

We’ve all been victims of clickbait marketing, that diabolical art of luring you in with outrageous promises only to deliver crushing disappointment. Companies have perfected the formula: hit you with a headline so absurd you have to click, like “Grandma Discovers Ancient Secret to Weight Loss—Doctors Are Furious!” (Spoiler: It’s eating vegetables and moving occasionally). Or how about *”This $5 Gadget Fixes All Wi-Fi Problems Forever!”* (It’s an Ethernet cable).

The real genius is in the vagueness—phrases like “You won’t believe…” or “What happens next will shock you!” dangle just enough mystery to override your common sense. And let’s not forget the fake scarcity—“Only 1 left in stock!” (on a digital product). The worst part? We know it’s nonsense, yet we click anyway, like lab rats pushing a lever for disappointment pellets. Maybe we’re just addicted to the thrill of the unknown, or maybe marketers have hacked our brains. Either way, the next time you see “This One Trick Will Change Your Life!” just remember—it won’t. But you’ll still click. Because deep down, you need to know which celebrity looks like a potato.