Google, the number one search engine on the planet, has published its comprehensive list of what was on people's minds during 2012. The company's 2012 Zeitgeist—"the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time"—is as accurate a reflection of humanity's current state of mind as we've got. And, with all the crap that has happened this year, humanity's mind sucks. Here's the overall global ranking:


1. Whitney Houston

2. Gangnam Style

3. Hurricane Sandy

4. iPad 3

5. Diablo 3

6. Kate Middleton

7. Olympics 2012

8. Amanda Todd

9. Michael Clarke Duncan

10. BBB12 (don't search for this, it's a terrible Brazilian show, apparently).

Whitney Houston? Gangnam Style? Really? Hurricane Sandy, sure. But then iPad 3 and Diablo 3 and Kate Middleton? Is that really "the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time"?


Hooooo-Kay.

But hey, at least the official Google video—which shows some of the most important, far-reaching events of the year—is inspiring. At moments.

The lists by country are not that much more enlightening. In the US this is what we get for the general ranking:

1. Whitney Houston

2. Hurricane Sandy

3. Election 2012

4. Hunger Games

5. Jeremy Lin

6. Olympics 2012

7. Amanda Todd

8, Gangnam Style

9. Michael Clarke Duncan

10. KONY 2012


If you go by category, things don't get much better. You can explore all the lists here. Or screw the internet. You can tell us what you think are the most important events, things and people of the year in the discussion below.