Top Twitter Trends of 2010

by Shubha Bala, associate producer

Twitter recently released its top trends of 2010. It’s a relief to see that the Gulf oil spill finished ahead of Justin Bieber. Interestingly, three of the top trends had to do with soccer’s World Cup. (Pulpo Paul was the “psychic” octopus that predicted World Cup match results.)

  1. Gulf Oil Spill
  2. FIFA World Cup
  3. Inception
  4. Haiti Earthquake
  5. Vuvuzela
  6. Apple iPad
  7. Google Android
  8. Justin Bieber
  9. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
  10. Pulpo Paul

And if you love top 10 trends, check out Google’s interactive top 10 for 2010.

Top 10 Religion Books of 2010

by Trent Gilliss, senior editor

Religion Is Nothing. Lifestyle.The editors at The Huffington Post have selected their best of 2010. There are some predictable inclusions from Robert Putnam, the Dalai Lama, and Stephen Prothero; there are also a few that are stacked up on our to-be-read pile, especially the one by Rodger Kamenetz. And Krista’s latest book is included too.

Only two of these titles are written by women — the other being Elaine Howard Ecklund’s Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think. I’m left wondering about the disparity of voices represented in this list, and challenged to scrutinize the many other lists I’ll be encountering before the end of the year. I’m also reminded to step up my game as a producer and constantly question my preferences and dig more deeply for guests that may fly under the radar for various reasons.

I guess that’s my New Year’s resolution to you. Call me on it when I’m not making good on my promise. Now is as good as time as any to ask you what books were left off this list. What are wise voices and topics we should consider for 2011?

(photo: Ethan Hickerson/Flickr used under a Creative Commons license)

Top 10 Posts on SOF Observed

by Trent Gilliss, senior editor

While editing the site for this week’s retrospective show, I compiled a short list of the top 10 posts read on this blog, SOF Observed. It’s always interesting to see what readers really click through and what they share:

  1. Rossini’s “Meow!” by “The Little Singers of Paris” (Trent Gilliss)
  2. Maps of Sin (Trent Gilliss)
  3. Reflections on a Name Change (Krista Tippett)
  4. John O’Donohue’s Landscape (Colleen Scheck)
  5. Confessions of a Yoga Convert (Krista Tippett)
  6. Les Freres de St Francis de la Sissies — Hallelujah! (Trent Gilliss)
  7. Producing Mindfully (Andy Dayton)
  8. Calvin and Hobbes: Math Is a Religion (Trent Gilliss)
  9. Bell Sound Mediation (Shubha Bala)
  10. Tools of the Mind (Nancy Rosenbaum)

Even though short and sweet seems to rule the day, composing blog entries requires us to write about topics that are relevant and meaningful — and bringing a smile to someone’s face isn’t a bad thing to do now and then either!

Your Top 3 Shows of the Past Year

Shiraz Janjua, Associate Producer

"Antony Gormley: Olympic podium" by threefishsleeping

(photo: “Antony Gormley: Olympic Podium” by threefishsleeping/Flickr)

Our company’s marketing folks have asked us to put together a compilation CD featuring material from the past 12 months. This CD will be used to give to public-radio programming directors who are not familiar with the program, as well as to potential funders, and for other marketing uses.

Rather than some edited compilation, we’re thinking of putting together the first half of three separate programs on the CD (each half being about 25 minutes). That way, we can showcase the depth, intimacy and storytelling we aim for. The other criteria? The shows must have been produced in the past year.

Choices, choices… It would be wonderful to highlight our Peabody Award-winning Rumi show. I’m also fond, myself, of the Mathematics show, the Architecture show, and the Jean Vanier show (yes, Jean Vanier is his own subject). Oh, and Heschel.

Three programs, 12 months, one CD — what are your three picks? (Our 2007 and 2008 archives, for reference.)