Book ‘What We Ask Google’ Uses Search Data to Examine Human Curiosity

The Story

A review of Simon Rogers’ book “What We Ask Google” examines how two decades of anonymized search data from Google Trends reveals patterns in human curiosity, from parenting questions to regional quirks. The book, written by Google’s data editor and former Guardian journalist, aims to present a “surprisingly hopeful picture of humankind” but is criticized for omitting controversial topics and the impact of AI.

Key Facts

• Simon Rogers, Google’s data editor and former Guardian journalist based in California, compiled the book using Google Trends data dating back to 2004.
• Common parenting queries include “Why do babies get hiccups?”, “When do babies teethe?”, “Why do toddlers bite?”, “How do you know if your child has ADHD?”, and “How to tell kids about divorce?”
• Searches for “How to fold a burrito” have always exceeded “How to fold trousers,” except briefly in 2019 due to a Marie Kondo Netflix show.
• In early 2023, search interest in “take care of parents” overtook “take care of kids,” highlighting the “sandwich generation” caring for both children and aging parents.
• A map of the US shows that along the path of the 2024 solar eclipse, searches containing “eyes” and “hurt” peaked later that day.
• The book acknowledges some inexplicable trends, such as Austrians, Nigerians, and Canadians being most likely to ask about back pain at night, and Kansans most often asking how to spell “chaos” while Missourians search for “unconscious.”
• Rogers presents the frequent search “How often can you donate plasma?” as evidence of altruism, but the review notes it may instead reflect inequities in the US health industry where paid plasma donation centers cluster in poor areas.
• The review states the book lacks acknowledgment of the AI revolution’s impact on search, does not address politics or Donald Trump, and omits “humankind’s darkest instincts.”

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified in the source article.

Still Unclear

No open questions identified in the source article.

Misconceptions

The source article addresses the misconception that the high search volume for “How often can you donate plasma?” signals altruism, instead suggesting it reflects economic inequity in the US health system.

Key Figures

• Simon Rogers, Google data editor, former Guardian journalist based in California.

Sources: The Guardian