Slashdot Mirror
Web Log 'Word Bursts' Could Identify New Crazes
Zorgatron writes "New Scientist reports that a researcher from Cornell University has come up with clever method of identifying what's cool by automatically searching weblogs. Sudden increases or "bursts" in the usage of particular words may reflect a new craze, according to Jon Kleinberg. He has demonstrated the technique by searching through state of the union addresses given since 1790." I wonder how long before this can be done real time enough to really make this useful.
In a simple historical test of the technique, Kleinberg analysed all the annual State of the Union addresses given by US Presidents since 1790. He found that particular word "bursts" could indeed be linked to important events at the time the speeches were delivered.
Has an important increase of the use of the word "nukular" been reported in the last few weeks then?
..Now we're going to see Pepsi add's slinging "in soviet russia, you drink pepsi' , and Nike yelling about "all your sports belong to us..."...
I lost my concept of community when my community lost all concept of me.
I can already see the collusion of weblog editors.
"Okay, everyone write about polka dot socks tomorrow. And throw in something about drinking rotten milk. I bet we can start a new fad..."
Scott, Keeper of the Crystal Flame
And think, the DMCA will become the most popular piece of legislation in existance - at least on slashdot.
And CowboyNeal is the most popular man alive!
That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
Seriously, just read /. if you want to know the important stuff of the day. :)
Whoopeee. The marketers will start using this to identify trends, and next thing you know, we'll have some fast food named "Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys."
Not In Our Brand Name, say I.
...Yahoo, today, was accused of seeding 2.5 million user blogs with keywords designed to influence/fool/skew robots that attempt to identify what's cool by automatically searching weblogs for so called 'word bursts'.
I guess this pretty much lays to rest the article about how nerds don't work to be popular. We automate it!
to get the kids that "Beowulf cluster" i keep hearing about
No Sig For You
Re: Imagine the feedback loop that could develop...
Oh great. Just what we need. "Well, after careful analysis computer analysis with my powerful algorithms, I have concluded that break-dancing is now cool. I will be the first nerd in history to be atop this new trend."
If Slashdot were used these would be the word that burst:
"Natalie" "Portman" "Soviet" "Russia" "1337" and "Dell"
Just a guy with an opinion
What a great opportunity for culture jamming! We just need a few thousand webloggers to start using weird words designed to repel "normal" people.
Obviously this could backfire and we could actually start a real trend. So, I propose that the first words we need to put out are ( geek || nerd ) && sexy. (And if you understood that, you must be hot stuff.) I'm willing to take this risk if you are.