Curious. Disappointing if they really are doing A/B testing! Those headlines all have significantly different connotations, so it would seriously lower my opinion of the NYTimes' journalism if they're choosing them based on linkbait potential, and not taking into account accuracy.
Headlines were bait before there were hyperlinks. Nothing new there—you're just seeing the process for the first time. Also, this doesn't take away from the substance of a very well-reported article.
