How to read a blog

A decoder for the stock phrases bloggers use, each of which has lost its original meaning.

Ryan Holiday's framework, from Trust Me, I'm Lying, pp. 126 to 231.

"According to a tipster"
The tipster may well be a person like Holiday tricking the blogger.
"Leaked" or "official documents"
Someone just e-mailed a blogger, and the documents are probably fabricated.
"BREAKING"
The story reached you before any attempt at confirmation.
"Updated"
Nobody reworked the story, they pasted a note at the bottom.
"EXCLUSIVE"
The site and source struck a deal, or the site took a story from a smaller site.
"We've reached out for comment"
An e-mail was sent minutes before publishing, after the story was already written.
An attributed quote
The blogger probably took it from elsewhere and buried a link.
"Which means" or "will result in"
The writer likely has no training in the field and no consequence for being wrong.

From chapter: Book Two: The Monster Attacks: What Blogs Mean, pp. 126–231

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