2021 in review

It’s time to recap the year that has been. And what a year it was.

There are several ways to do this, many of which are interesting. You can look at a year in terms of notable deaths, viral events, political rises and falls, and more.

But how do you really get a 12-month snapshot of a culture’s zeitgeist?

I would say two words: Google searches.

I’m not saying this will be what historians will mark in 10 years, let alone 100 years… let alone what is most significant. But I will say it is perhaps the clearest window into our current soul.

So we’re going there with some glimpses of our inner world in 2021, courtesy of Google itself.

Top 10 searches:

1.NBA
2.DMX
3. Gabby Petito
4. Kyle Rittenhouse
5. Brian Laundry
6. Mega Millions
7. AMC action
8. Verification of the stimulus
9. Georgia Senate Race
10. Calamari game

Top 10 news searches:

1. Mega Millions
2. Action AMC
3. Dunning checks
4. Georgia Senate Race
5. GME
6. Dogecoins
7. Hurricane Ida
8. Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict
9. Afghanistan
10. Ethereum Price

Top 10 “How to be” searches:

1. How to qualify for a stimulus check
2. How to be more attractive
3. How to be happy alone
4. How to be a villain
5. How to be a good boyfriend
6. How to kiss well
7. How to be a flight attendant
8. How to be happy with yourself
9. How to be aware
10. How to be romantic

And finally, the Top 10 people searches:

1. Kyle Rittenhouse
2.Tiger Woods
3. Alec Baldwin
4. Travis Scott
5. Simone Biles
6. Derek Chauvin
7. Morgan Wallen
8. Henry Ruggs III
9. Pete Davidson
10. Shailene Woodley

Welcome to our world.

James Emery White

Sources

See “Year in Search 2021” for the United States, Google, read online.

About the Author

James Emery White is the founder and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the assistant professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book After “I believe” is now available on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore. To take advantage of a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit ChurchAndCulture.org, where you can view past blogs in our archive and read the latest church and culture news from around the world. Follow Dr. White on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @JamesEmeryWhite.