I feel like I'm only posting the same comment over and over, but if media outlets have all decided to stop using informative headlines, can we at least continue to do so here?
Perhaps something like "Harvard student creates tumblr full of one-sentence theses summaries" might be better.
I'd love to, but having re-read the FAQ several times it appears to be the case that you should put in the original title. If I'm wrong, let me know. I think someone should make the FAQ a lot clearer.
I know navigating things like the FAQ can be tricky. They encourage removing "gratuitous adjectives" and rewording linkbait, but knowing what qualifies as what can be hard.
In my opinion, the given title could be considered linkbait, only because it doesn't really tell you what it is, only that it's the "saddest" and "greatest" thing ever.
Yep, I don't like the title that much either, but Lolmythesis sounds pretty descriptive, and that's about what the page is saying. Borderline case if what you say is true! Anyway, I ha thought HN policy on this is reasonably strict for some reason I forget, and although I'm far from certain on this topic, I don't feel like angering Gods I don't comprehend. Maybe it's time for yet another tiresome FAQ trip!
EDIT: http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html misleading or linkbait? Well by current standards, it's hardly UpBuzzNovaGawkworthy, I suppose. It's sad though, because some great stories have terrible headlines and they don't get traction here because we're apes and fall for that stuff despite ourselves.
Perhaps something like "Harvard student creates tumblr full of one-sentence theses summaries" might be better.