I keep seeing “Elena Rybakina” – so here’s a quick take

I saw Elena Rybakina and immediately opened a new tab. Then another. Then another. I’m always wary of hot takes, but I do enjoy the first draft of public opinion. What I saw people linking to Ruzic advances to first WTA 1000 quarterfinal after Rybakina retirement (WTA Tennis) Elena Rybakina's Dubai run ends prematurely (Latest … Read more

“Ind vs Ned” today: what people seem to be reacting to

A quick glance at what’s trending turned into a deep breath and a click on Ind vs Ned. When a phrase jumps like this, it’s usually because something happened – or someone said something – or both. What I saw people linking to India look to go into Super Eight stage with all-win record (ESPNcricinfo) … Read more

A trend check: “Jesse Jackson” and what it might mean

I checked the trending list out of habit and got immediately snagged by Jesse Jackson. Trends compress time: yesterday’s unknown becomes today’s everywhere. What I saw people linking to Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader, dies aged 84 (The Guardian) Watch: Jesse Jackson's life in civil rights, diplomacy, and politics (BBC) Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist … Read more

What’s behind “Jason Donovan” right now? A personal read

I wasn’t trying to get pulled into the trending vortex, but Jason Donovan got me anyway. The search bar is where we go when we’re trying to catch up without asking anyone directly. What I saw people linking to Jason Donovan takes Kylie and Alison on Tour! (ITVX) Celebrate three decades of music, theatre and … Read more

One trend, one coffee: “Robert Jenrick”

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 Robert Jenrick. It’s fascinating how quickly a topic can become common knowledge just by being searched enough. What I saw people linking to Reform names Robert Jenrick … Read more