What do you think causes the crackle and clicks we hear?

My only records with "Pops" on them are    Louis Armstrong.....

For another explanation do a search right on Agon for

Atmasphere phono overload.

Atmasphere overload. Good one. A bit pre-emptive, but still.

" Rice krispies"
Yea, but only if you add milk. Come to think of it, amps might do that too if milk was added ... ;-)

It's usually segregated as clicks vs. crackle with crackle being much smaller and more numerous clicks.  They result from poor quality pressings and/or poor handling.  I believe Atmasphere draws a link between how audible and annoying they are with phono stage overload characteristics.