Today, Google’s blog released it’s top 10 trending items of 2014. There were some hit and misses, but the ranking of Google’s 2014 trend list is what struck me.
What was the number one trending event search for 2014? It was the tragic suicide of actor/comedian Robin Williams. It brought up a lot of other issues, like depression and mental illness. The second was this summer’s world cup, and the USA’s brilliant play in that world cup. ?A serious medical crisis, Ebola, was the third biggest trending issue of 2014, followed by the mystery of Malaysian Airlines 370’s disappearance into thin air. Rounding the first five is the ALS ice bucket challenge craze of this past summer. A technology trend was the sixth highest trend: the Flappy Birds game. Rounding out the top 10 were Austrian entertainer Conchita Wurst, the terrorist group ISIS, movie sensation Frozen, and the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Now I’m no sociologist, but I see we love our celebrities, especially after they’ve passed away. With all the serious news issues that happened this year, like the rise of Ebola and ISIS terrorism, I’m surprised Robin William’s death surpassed even them. But the sudden death of one of the all time comedic greats was a great loss for us all. And it has gotten a much needed conversation on mental illness started. I look at the major news issues of the year that didn’t make the top 10: Ferguson, Israel vs. Palestine 7-week-war, Ukrainian crisis, plummeting gas prices, I can go on and on. ?And of all the young celebrities that made the 2014 trending list, Conchita Wurst was the only one who made it? No Taylor Swift? No Kerry Washington? No Jennifer Lawrence? All had amazing years, but I guess not amazing enough to trend as much as Conchita Wurst has. I find it strange only one technology trend made the trend list. Where’s the smartwatch? What does Google’s 2014 trend list say about our society?