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.

Comments

Hopefully they don't read slashdot for this

[Rush Limbaugh]

or else they'll think that goatse.cx is now considered cool.