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)

Filed under: Politics, Monthly Wrapup, Recaps, Money, Hurricanes, Elections, Wrap Up, Economics

It was a weekend of sad good-byes, comic relief and even a breakthrough. Here, our scoop of what buzzed this weekend to help jump-start your week.

Good-bye, ol' blue eyes
Paul Newman, who died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 83, was remembered for more than his presence on the silver screen — and his piercing gaze. News of his death caused a sentimental 22,000% surge in searches for information on the movie star. Beyond his screen career, Newman's legacy includes racecar driving, a 50-year marriage to actress Joanne Woodward, and a product line of healthy and organic foods, Newman's Own, which contributes 100% of its profits to charity. The company, which started as a lark when Newman began bottling salad dressing in his basement, has resulted in $250 million in donations, according to People.com.

Hello, snack attack
In China, the tainted milk scare appears to be spreading beyond its borders. According to the Washington Post, products that contain the bad milk have seeped into snack offerings around the world, from cake in Hong Kong to sausage products in Japan. The FDA even issued a consumer warning to avoid the made-in-China products White Rabbit Chocolates and Mr. Brown Coffee. So far, 54,000 children in China have been sickened and more than a dozen countries have issued warnings or product recalls.

Delay upon re-entry
Lance Armstrong, the veteran winner of multiple Tour de France races, may be held back from a planned comeback in Australia. The cancer survivor could be stymied by strict anti-doping laws, according to USA Today, which noted that racers coming out of retirement need to be registered with the anti-doping program for six months before being allowed to race. Officials have not yet approved the timing of Armstrong's competition. Armstrong's goal is to compete and win his eighth Tour de France race, and put to rest the suspicions of doping that followed his seven Tour de France wins.

Tina Fey's Palin replay
As if we didn't get enough presidential politics during the week, "Saturday Night Live" served up another dose of vice presidential satire this weekend that caused all kinds of Buzz. Tina Fey reprised her role as Sarah Palin, the part that gave the "SNL" season opener its highest ratings since 2001, according to TV Guide. Fey, who looks eerily similar to the Alaska governor, used the opening segment to mock Palin's recent interview with Katie Couric (played by Amy Poehler). Digs included yet another Alaska-Russia joke, an inscrutable explanation to the economic crisis, and a request to "phone a friend" in response to a question she couldn't answer. You can view the skit here.

Also buzzing this weekend…
• This weekend marked the opening of the California Academy of Science in San Francisco. Featuring an aquarium, a planetarium, a rainforest, and an undulating sod roof, the eye-popping modernist architecture of Renzo Piano is barely overshadowed by the diverse range of exhibits housed in the museum. And it's the largest green-certified building in the U.S.
• Chinese astronauts made history when they landed safely on Sunday after accomplishing the country's first-ever space walk. The landmark event was considered a major step forward in China's quest to become a space power.

Filed under: Recaps