Google has released their 2002 Zeitgeist of the web. Some of the results undermine some national pretensions. In France Britney Spears is number 8 in the overall most popular query list. This from a country that prides itself in its disdain for American popular culture? France also ranked Vaness Demoury (who I'd never heard of before) ahead of Alyssa Milano. France also has that quintessential pop culture figure Pamela Anderson on their top celebrity list. Though so did the world as a whole.

The most curious thing about all the lists is that the top 20 gaining query list has no contemporary political topic. Sports, celebrities, cartoon characters, and video games are the most popular entries. Also, World Cup beat out Iraq as top news story. "Las Ketchup" (whatever that is - I want to remain in blissful ignorance) is considered to be a news story but it sounds like a pop culture fad. Also why is Canada in second place on the popular destinations list?