What Do We Ask Google, and What Does It Tell Us About Human Nature? With Simon Rogers

In this episode of Intelligence Squared, host Carl Miller speaks with data analyst Simon Rogers about his new book, *What We Ask Google*, which explores billions of Google searches over two decades to reveal profound insights into human nature. Rogers argues that search data offers a more honest reflection of our inner lives than social media, capturing raw curiosity, vulnerability, and universal concerns—from parenting dilemmas and health anxieties to grief and loneliness. The conversation traces how searches like 'how to not be lonely' or 'why is my poo green' expose deep emotional truths and shared human experiences, while also revealing cultural variations in how people seek help, express love, or cope with crises like hurricanes. Rogers highlights the power of 'now casting,' where search trends can predict real-world events such as economic shifts or public health concerns, positioning Google Trends as a real-time archaeological lens into collective consciousness. The episode ends with a call to action: explore the freely available Google Trends data to uncover the subtle, often poignant, patterns that define who we are. Key takeaways include: 1) Search data reveals more authentic human behavior than social media; 2) Common searches around health, grief, and loneliness reflect universal emotional struggles; 3) The 'sandwich generation' trend shows a societal shift in caregiving priorities; 4) Localized searches (like 'how to fix a broken window' in France vs. the US) reveal subtle cultural differences; 5) 'Now casting' uses search patterns to anticipate real-world events; 6) The desire to help others is a growing, measurable trend; 7) Even absurd searches (like 'can you keep a panda as a pet?') reflect human curiosity and imagination; 8) Google Trends is a free, accessible tool for anyone to explore the collective psyche.