One trend, one coffee: “Shabana Mahmood”

I clicked one thing, then another, and suddenly Shabana Mahmood was the centre of my screen. Sometimes you can feel a story crossing the invisible line from niche to mainstream. What I saw people linking to Asylum seekers who break law to have support removed (BBC) Shabana Mahmood’s change of tone could fall on deaf … Read more

“Chris Wheeler” today: what people seem to be reacting to

A quiet morning, a loud trend: Chris Wheeler. The interesting part is the mix: curiosity, concern, entertainment, and the need to know ‘right now’. What I saw people linking to ‘Generous and endlessly kind’: Former Stoke Park executive chef Chris Wheeler dies (The Caterer) BBC chef dies as friend leads tributes to 'extraordinary' man (Daily … Read more

A small personal take on “Rory Mcilroy”

I noticed Rory Mcilroy climbing the list and decided to follow the trail. I try not to overthink trends, but I do like treating them as tiny snapshots of what we’re all paying attention to at the same time. What I saw people linking to ‘It’s a generous deal’: McIlroy’s surprise at Rahm not accepting … Read more

A tiny vibe check on “Billi Mucklow”

A quiet morning, a loud trend: Billi Mucklow. Trends compress time: yesterday’s unknown becomes today’s everywhere. What I saw people linking to Ex-England footballer Andy Carroll pleads not guilty to breaching court order against ex-wife (Sky News) Andy Carroll denies breaching court order againt Billi Mucklow (BBC) Ex-Liverpool striker Andy Carroll to stand trial after … Read more

I keep seeing “Jack Fletcher” – so here’s a quick take

I noticed Jack Fletcher climbing the list and decided to follow the trail. Sometimes the trend isn’t the story – the reaction is. What I saw people linking to Man Utd: Jack Fletcher banned for six matches for homophobic slur (BBC) Manchester United’s Jack Fletcher given six-match ban for homophobic slur (The Guardian) Jack Fletcher … Read more

“Kemi Badenoch” in my feed: a few thoughts

There are some days when a trend feels like background noise, and some days when it feels like it’s tapping you on the shoulder. Today, that shoulder-tap was Kemi Badenoch. There’s a strange comfort in watching a shared curiosity ripple across the country. What I saw people linking to Special relationship is not ‘hanging on … Read more