Search Engine as Answering Machine

IBM researches look at the "auto suggest" feature in Search Engines for interesting clues about their fellow web surfers:

"This labor-saving device — part fortuneteller, part shrink? — has opened a window into our collective soul. With millions of people pouring their hearts into this modern-day confessional, we get a direct, if mysterious, glimpse into the heads of our fellow Web surfers."

Here's the NYT article. Here are some of their findings: