“Hailstones” is trending in the UK – here’s what I noticed

This is one of those ‘I should probably understand this’ moments: Hailstones. A spike like this usually means people are comparing notes in real time. What I saw people linking to UPDATED: Flood alerts issued for Cumbria (Cumbria Crack) Heavy rain flooding forces train cancellations between Skipton and Lancaster (Craven Herald) Roads flooded with warnings Read More ““Hailstones” is trending in the UK – here’s what I noticed”

My small attempt to make sense of “Hail Storm”

I clicked one thing, then another, and suddenly Hail Storm was the centre of my screen. Sometimes the trend isn’t the story – the reaction is. What I saw people linking to Stay weather-aware: Strong storms move in Thursday night (Spectrum News) Severe Thunderstorms, Including Hail And Tornadoes, Possible In Midwest Again Thursday (AOL.com) Tracking Read More “My small attempt to make sense of “Hail Storm””

I clicked “Valdo Calocane” and ended up thinking about the bigger picture

I clicked one thing, then another, and suddenly Valdo Calocane was the centre of my screen. I find myself wondering what people are hoping to confirm when they type it in. What I saw people linking to Parents of Nottingham attacks victim panicked as they tracked his phone to police station, inquiry told (BBC) Partner Read More “I clicked “Valdo Calocane” and ended up thinking about the bigger picture”

One trend, one coffee: “Liam Manning”

I checked the trending list out of habit and got immediately snagged by Liam Manning. I often start with the basics: what happened, who noticed, and why it spread. What I saw people linking to Liam Manning: Huddersfield Town manager takes compassionate leave (BBC) LIAM MANNING GRANTED COMPASSIONATE LEAVE (Huddersfield Town) Ex-City boss Manning handed Read More “One trend, one coffee: “Liam Manning””

A trend check: “Postcodelottery” and what it might mean

I keep a soft eye on trends, and Postcodelottery jumped out immediately. When a phrase jumps like this, it’s usually because something happened – or someone said something – or both. What I saw people linking to Dunfermline dad to see Scotland play at World Cup after winning £52k (The Courier) Huge Postcode Lottery win Read More “A trend check: “Postcodelottery” and what it might mean”

What’s behind “Mr Benn” right now? A personal read

I opened my browser this morning expecting the usual mix of headlines and distractions – and then I saw Mr Benn sitting there in the trending list. I find myself wondering what people are hoping to confirm when they type it in. What I saw people linking to Live-action movie version of children’s TV series Read More “What’s behind “Mr Benn” right now? A personal read”

On “John Toshack”: the headline version and the human version

I wasn’t looking for a new obsession today, but John Toshack volunteered. When something like this spikes, I always wonder what people are really searching for: clarity, gossip, context, or just the comfort of seeing that everyone else is curious too. What I saw people linking to Cameron Toshack on living next to a volcano Read More “On “John Toshack”: the headline version and the human version”

My quick notes on “Ncis Vance Dies” while it’s blowing up

I wasn’t trying to get pulled into the trending vortex, but Ncis Vance Dies got me anyway. A spike like this usually means people are comparing notes in real time. What I saw people linking to ‘NCIS’ Shocker: Rocky Carroll Tells All on His Unexpected [SPOILER] and Playing Director Vance for Nearly Two Decades (Variety) Read More “My quick notes on “Ncis Vance Dies” while it’s blowing up”

What “Riz Ahmed” says about the mood today (at least to me)

I keep a soft eye on trends, and Riz Ahmed jumped out immediately. I can’t help noticing how different generations search for different reasons. What I saw people linking to Bait review – Riz Ahmed’s comedy is petty, narcissistic … and excellent (The Guardian) Amazon’s New James Bond Show Has A 100% On Rotten Tomatoes, Read More “What “Riz Ahmed” says about the mood today (at least to me)”

“Construction Retentions Ban Uk”: the story, the subtext, and my takeaway

Some trends glide by. Construction Retentions Ban Uk basically waved at me until I paid attention. Sometimes a trend is a breaking-news echo. Sometimes it’s pure vibe. What I saw people linking to Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years (GOV.UK) Companies will have to pay UK Read More ““Construction Retentions Ban Uk”: the story, the subtext, and my takeaway”