So, “Raven Chapman” is trending. Let’s talk about it

A quick glance at what’s trending turned into a deep breath and a click on Raven Chapman. Trends compress time: yesterday’s unknown becomes today’s everywhere. What I saw people linking to Briton Chapman suffers brain bleed after sparring session (BBC) Raven Chapman: Boxer undergoes emergency surgery after collapsing following sparring session in Denmark (Sky Sports) Read More “So, “Raven Chapman” is trending. Let’s talk about it”

A brief, slightly biased explainer of “El Nino Acute Hunger Risk”

I clicked one thing, then another, and suddenly El Nino Acute Hunger Risk was the centre of my screen. I often start with the basics: what happened, who noticed, and why it spread. What I saw people linking to El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year (The Guardian) Read More “A brief, slightly biased explainer of “El Nino Acute Hunger Risk””

What “Cesar Gastelum” says about the mood today (at least to me)

I keep a soft eye on trends, and Cesar Gastelum jumped out immediately. I’m always wary of hot takes, but I do enjoy the first draft of public opinion. What I saw people linking to Asesinan al influencer César Gastélum en pleno directo (Diario AS) Él Era César Gástelum, el Creador de Contenido del Sombrero Read More “What “Cesar Gastelum” says about the mood today (at least to me)”

I saw “Amy Childs” trending and did a double take

I saw Amy Childs and immediately opened a new tab. Then another. Then another. Sometimes the trend isn’t the story – the reaction is. What I saw people linking to ITV star 'shaken' as £1.7m mansion 'ransacked by robbers' during family holiday (Daily Star) Amy Childs breaks her silence on 'devastating' robbery after home was Read More “I saw “Amy Childs” trending and did a double take”

What’s behind “John Douglas” right now? A personal read

I came for the headlines and stayed for the curiosity: John Douglas. The interesting part is the mix: curiosity, concern, entertainment, and the need to know ‘right now’. What I saw people linking to Trashcan Sinatras’ John Douglas dead at 63: “Talent, heart, kindness, he had it all” (NME) Scottish musician and Trashcan Sinatras guitarist Read More “What’s behind “John Douglas” right now? A personal read”

“Joseph Parker” popped up – and I couldn’t not click

I opened my browser this morning expecting the usual mix of headlines and distractions – and then I saw Joseph Parker sitting there in the trending list. 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 Read More ““Joseph Parker” popped up – and I couldn’t not click”

I couldn’t ignore “Glen Hansard Funeral” today – here’s why it grabbed me

This wasn’t on my radar at all – until Glen Hansard Funeral started showing up everywhere. At its best, a trend is a shortcut to context. At its worst, it’s a game of telephone. What I saw people linking to Funeral taking place for Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard (BBC) Glen Hansard funeral: Crowds begin to Read More “I couldn’t ignore “Glen Hansard Funeral” today – here’s why it grabbed me”