Google Zeitgeist is an algorithm set up by the popular search engine that charts the "fastest-rising" searches among users for the year.
Bear in mind, this list is not the most searches, by sheer numbers. It's simply those searches that spiked the most times, that gained the fastest over the course of the year.
We find it not at all surprising, then, that four of the Top 10 were social networking sites - five, if you count YouTube.
One other observation: Check out the Google graphic (above) of the fastest gainers by quarter. What it shows is how addicted people are to scandalous behavior.
Look at the huge spikes for Anna Nicole Smith in the wake of her overdose death, Don Imus after his racist remarks, and teen star Vanessa Hudgens after her nude photos appeared online.
We could make some pompous and profound tsk-tsking remark here, but we just can't muster the righteous indignation.
And, if you can't muster the energy to click on the hyperlink to the Zeitgeist page, here is the list:
Fastest Rising (U.S.)
1. iphone
2. webkinz
3. tmz
4. transformers
5. youtube
6. club penguin
7. myspace
8. heroes
9. facebook
10. anna nicole smith
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