the buzz log

From Olympic highs to financial lows, "fall" took on a whole new meaning this harried September. Among the many events that befell Search, hurricanes hit fragile coasts, politics went into overdrive, and bailouts tried to stop a sinking market. Glumly mull over what the world was searching for in September.

Path of Resistance
Like the grotesque nursery rhyme of the old lady who swallowed a fly, it seemed inconceivable how formerly redoubtable Wall Street firms had to be swallowed up by fellow firms or the government itself. As names like Lehman Brothers, AIG, and Goldman Sachs rippled into everyday consciousness, it was Washington Mutual's teetering collapse that truly captured people's online attention and brought uncertainty into the pocketbook. People keep close tabs on a proposed massive bailout and the man behind the plan (+14,762%), and introduced the dread phrase "u.s. financial crisis" into the Search vernacular.

Path of Glory
Mother nature and father finance disrupted the presidential campaigns, so people really had to rely on the Web to keep track on the candidates, the debate, and most importantly whether Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin was indeed Tina Fey's alter ego. The countdown to the Nov. 4 elections dropped into mere double-digit days, pressuring searches to investigate rumors, media appearances, family members, religious affiliations, voting records, personal history, and porcine make-up tips.

Path of Destruction
Hurricane Ike followed closely behind Tropical Storm Hannah, but he gave fair warning of his category 4 visit. People monitored the impending disaster and its "projected path" (top 500 searches), but still its sheer, kinetic intensity resulted in a death toll of 67 and a devastated Texas coastline. A hopeful but critical eye turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (+23,989%) and searches popped up for food stamps and other aid. Many organizations, private citizens, former presidents and undocumented laborers came to clean up what was left behind. Small miracles did surface, from a single Gilchrist house withstanding the impact to a mystery ship unearthed, and a lionness seeking sanctuary.

September 2008 Fastest Movers in Search
Search Terms with the Biggest Percentage Changes

1. Hurricane Ike (Mega Mover! See above.)
2. Hurricane Ike Projected Path (Mega Mover! See above.)
3. Sarah Palin Tina Fey (See above)
4. Don LaFontaine (+80,143. The deep-throated trailer guy spoke his last.)
5. Shackle (+64,991%. The lionness sought refuge from Ike in a church.)
6. Jerry Reed (+45,657%. The country singer died Aug. 31)
7. Eva Longoria Parker (+36,182%. Pregnancy rumors surround the actress, but it could be just lots of M&Ms)
8. FEMA.com (+23,989%. See above)
9. New iPod Nano (+21,843%. Its slim figure debuted at Apple's developer conference.)
10. Atom Smasher (+20,949%. Flouting doomsday predictions, the world's largest debuted to Search fanfare, then promptly got glitches.

September 2008 Top 10 Personalities
People Commanding the Most Searches Overall
(parenthetical refers to percentage change in searches compared to previous month)

1. Sarah Palin (+138%)
2. Britney Spears (+24%)
3. Obama (+32%)
4. Jessica Alba (+38%)
5. Lindsay Lohan (-15%)
6. Kim Kardashian (+7)
7. Miley Cyrus (-36%)
8. John McCain (+91%)
9. Paris Hilton (-9%)
10. Lil Wayne (+7)