Topic: Google Trends

Marianne Williamson defended her proposal for $200 to $500 billion in reparations, framing it as a debt owed for 250 years of slavery and 100 years of domestic terrorism. Despite her "dark forces" rhetoric, she emerged as the most searched candidate on Google Trends during the first night of debates.

Media outlets report a spike in Google searches for "What is the EU?" following the referendum, suggesting voters did not understand their ballots. Max Keiser and ABC News use this data to claim an "accidental revolution" and widespread buyer's remorse. The hosts contest this narrative, suggesting the search data is being manipulated to paint Leave voters as ignorant.

A report from the Washington Examiner reveals the U.S. State Department spent $630,000 buying Facebook "likes" and hired a social media expert in Uganda for $111,000. The hosts suggest these expenditures are precursors to "rebelization" and regime change efforts in foreign countries.

Google has launched "Helpouts," a service that allows experts to charge for real-time video consultations. Adam Curry suggests John C. Dvorak should use the platform to offer $50 wine list consultations for restaurant-goers. They discuss the future of peer-to-peer payment for information but express a preference for independent models over Google-mediated ones.