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Hoses of the Holy in the Parallel Universe

January 24, 2006

Google Zeitgeist

I didn't know Google did this: Zeitgeist. The 2005 year-end stats are fascinating, even if they only really confirm a kind of depressing herd instinct.

Perhaps more interesting are the local stats, and the opportunity to gauge national characteristics based on their search obsessions.

Australians, of course, search most often for Qantas; in Chile, it's the horoscope; in France, more travel: SNCF; Germans like encyclopaedias; Indians, like the French, are keen on railways; the fat British search for diets... others are mysterious and kind of local.

Why do the Russians get so keen on Xmas and the New year in November? The top Japanese search for that month remains a mystery even if you follow the links. The Italians like football, cars, and kids, which is nice.

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