Today, it’s a Heat Advisory warning.
Yesterday, it was a Pollen Advisory. The day before? An Air Quality alert.
The choices are many. They include wind, snow, rain, fire, lightning, humidity, and more. Every day, another warning.
When I open my browser a warning inevitably appears at the bottom of the screen. Not once have I seen a positive message. Something like, Beautiful Day Ahead, or Perfect Picnic Weather. No. Only warnings are allowed.
Why?
One theory is that tech firms like Microsoft and Google would prefer that people stay indoors using their devices. If life outside is always threatening, why leave home? An interesting (conspiracy) theory but, based on personal observations, most people use their devices while driving their cars, or while in check-out lines. Outside their homes. So, no, I’m not buying this one.
I usually blame everything on algorithms or AI. Yet, it hardly takes much computational sophistication to realize that viewers pay attention to adverse weather conditions/predictions. Here in Boston, snowstorm forecasts are guaranteed to boost views. Indeed, every local US TV station has its equivalent of a “Storm Team,” a group of reporters charged with spending hours outside in the rain, snow, wind, smoke, and (can you say, hostile work environment?) pollen.
In many respects these warnings are just a modern adaptation of William Randolph Hearst’s adage: “If it bleeds, it leads.” Warn them and they will come.
So, there you have it. And don’t forget to read today’s advisory message.
Clickbait Alert.
Peter has spent the past twenty-plus years as an acting/consulting CFO for a number of small businesses in a wide range of industries. Peter’s prior experience is that of a serial entrepreneur, managing various start-up and turnaround projects. He is a co-founder of Keurig.
