"Related stories" at DenverPost.com not always so related -- other than to monkey vasectomies

These days, every online news operation, including this one, is desperately searching for ways to increase its number of page views -- and one approach is to insert links to other stories on their respective sites. But an example of this phenomenon in today's Denver Post shows how absurd the...

By Michael Roberts

April 17, 2009

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These days, every online news operation, including this one, is desperately searching for ways to increase its number of page views -- and one approach is to insert links to other stories on their respective sites. But an example of this phenomenon in today's Denver Post shows how absurd the method can be when taken to extremes. "RTD Chief Takes Hits," a report about the decision by transit boss Cal Marsella to "give up 3 percent of his 2009 salary and bonus increases to match the sacrifice borne by salaried employees and some RTD contractors," contains one link -- to the term "Amalgamated Transit Union." Press it and you'll be transported to a page labeled "Articles related to: Amalgamated Transit Union." Among them: "Husted: When Jewish Girls Are This Bad, They're Good," "Mike Rosen: Leave My Cellphone Alone" and, of course, "No More Monkey Business: Vasectomies for Primates."

Maybe if those monkeys formed a union, they could keep on doing their business however they'd like...

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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