To these teenagers, trending isn't just an added function on Twitter to improve its real-time value; it's where you want to appear (or at least what you should be talking about). It's also a feature that's very much perceived to be in their control.
If Twitter trends are an insight into the mind of its users then I fear that we are a mass of witless, sexist, racist, sycophantic celebrity stalkers who do nothing but watch reality TV and third rate children's films.
Generally speaking, hash tags that trend on Twitter serve as chilling reminders that not everyone using the site are as caustic, witty or brilliant as...