If we are what we Google, then Google Hot Trends —an hourly rundown of search terms “that experience sudden surges in popularity”—is the Web’s best cultural barometer. Here’s a sampling of today’s top searches. (Rankings on Hot Trends list current as of 9 a.m.):
No. 12: “Michigan Lottery”; No. 17: “Ohio Lottery,”; No. 23: “NY Lottery”; No. 24: “NJ lottery”; No. 25: “Mass Lottery”; and No. 45: “VA Lottery.” This morning’s Google Trends was dominated by searches for last night’s Mega Millions winning lottery numbers . As of the time of this writing, no one has stepped forward with a ticket containing the lucky six numbers. The estimated jackpot for those fortunate enough to live in a Mega Million state is $207 million. If you do buy a ticket, just don’t be foolish enough to promise it away as a tip to a pretty waitress you meet, like Nicolas Cage in It Could Happen to You .
No. 31: “Hilegard Behrens.” German soprano Hildegard Behrens died yesterday in a Tokyo hospital at the age of 72. With three Grammys to her name, Behrens was known for her performances of Strauss and Wagner operas. Watch her as Elektra in Strauss’ one-act opera of the same name here .
No. 74: “Grotesque.” Britain’s film board decided today to ban the sale of DVDs of the Japanese horror film Grotesque due to the film’s extreme and pointless violence. According to the Associated Press , the British Board of Film Classification says the movie is an “an unrelenting and escalating scenario of humiliation, brutality and sadism.” The movie, said to be inspired by Eli Roth’s Hostel franchise, is only the third that British officials have banned since 2005. Trailers are available on YouTube for the strong-stomached.
Photograph of MegaMillions tickets courtesy of Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
