It's not always enough to know what's "trending." It kind of helps to know why. Welcome to the Social Climber, where we provide a quick primer on the people, places and things that are being feverishly searched and shared online -- and try to make sense of it all.
1
Scientists Find 'Godzilla' Platypus
Mick Tsikas/Reuters
An extinct species of giant platypus was discovered in Australia, according to the University of New South Wales.
This previously unknown species was identified by a distinctive tooth found in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area of Queensland, according to the university.
Given the size of the tooth, the animal is estimated to be about twice the size of its contemporary brethren, and likely feasted on other animals.
"It pretty well blew our minds," University of New South Wales professor Mike Archer said of the discovery, according to AFP. "And then bang out of the blue drops this monster. Platypus Godzilla."
"We didn't expect this. It's a huge platypus at the wrong time. But there it was," he said.
2
Blue Ivy Carter in Paradise
iam.beyonce.com
Life is but a dream for the Blue Ivy Carter.
A new photo released by the tot's mother, Beyonce, shows Jay Z standing in a shallow pool of water, hoisting his little girl into the air.
The family appears to have traveled somewhere tropical. Blue is in the shadows, but we can only imagine she's rocking a pretty cute outfit, given her parents' panache.
3
Megan Fox Drops by 'Call of Duty: Ghosts'
Raymond Hall/Getty Images
The latest installment in the "Call of Duty" video game franchise knows its audience -- that's why it recruited Megan Fox to cameo in its live-action trailer.
Fox, who utters just four words in the nearly two-minute commercial, was apparently recruited for the gig as a symbolic way of marking the first time you can play the game as a female soldier, Variety reported.
Nice work, if you can get it.
4
Meet Chuckesmee, the Creepy Twilight Doll
Doane Gregory/Summit Entertainment
"Twilight" fans rejoice! "Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga" came out on Blu-ray and DVD today, and secrets are spilling out about what went on behind the scenes.
Turns out, the creepiest thing on set wasn't the fake blood but a little animatronic baby.
Edward and Bella's half-vampire, half-human baby was initially going to be robotic. Luckily, the idea was scrapped because she was just too frightening.
The cast and crew dubbed "Chuckesmee" based on its similarities to a certain horror doll, according to Yahoo.
"Chuckesmee is one of the most grotesque animatronic babies ever to not be seen on film," producer Wyck Godfrey said.
5
Amber Portwood Goes Free
John P. Cleary/The Herald Bulletin/AP Photo
It's shaping up to be a banner week for reality television stars.
"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood was released from an Indiana prison on Monday after serving 16 months on a five-year sentence, Us Weekly reported.
"She earned a combination of earned credit time for good behavior and completion of programming, which resulted in her period of incarceration being reduced," Indiana Department of Corrections spokesman Douglas S. Garrison told the magazine.
The teenage mother, now 23, was doing time as a result of her arrest on drug-possession charges in December 2011, according to E! News.
6
Idris Elba on Playing a Living Legend
Moeletsi Mabe/The Times/Gallo Images/Getty Images
British actor Idris Elba is dishing on how he approached the role of former South African President Nelson Mandela in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."
Elba spoke at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg and said that acting as the anti-apartheid leader was a gift, the Associated Press reported.
Even President Obama is excited to see the movie. A special White House screening is set for Nov. 7, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
An extinct species of giant platypus was discovered in Australia, according to the University of New South Wales.
This previously unknown species was identified by a distinctive tooth found in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area of Queensland, according to the university.
Given the size of the tooth, the animal is estimated to be about twice the size of its contemporary brethren, and likely feasted on other animals.
"It pretty well blew our minds," University of New South Wales professor Mike Archer said of the discovery, according to AFP. "And then bang out of the blue drops this monster. Platypus Godzilla."
"We didn't expect this. It's a huge platypus at the wrong time. But there it was," he said.
Life is but a dream for the Blue Ivy Carter.
A new photo released by the tot's mother, Beyonce, shows Jay Z standing in a shallow pool of water, hoisting his little girl into the air.
The family appears to have traveled somewhere tropical. Blue is in the shadows, but we can only imagine she's rocking a pretty cute outfit, given her parents' panache.
The latest installment in the "Call of Duty" video game franchise knows its audience -- that's why it recruited Megan Fox to cameo in its live-action trailer.
Fox, who utters just four words in the nearly two-minute commercial, was apparently recruited for the gig as a symbolic way of marking the first time you can play the game as a female soldier, Variety reported.
Nice work, if you can get it.
"Twilight" fans rejoice! "Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga" came out on Blu-ray and DVD today, and secrets are spilling out about what went on behind the scenes.
Turns out, the creepiest thing on set wasn't the fake blood but a little animatronic baby.
Edward and Bella's half-vampire, half-human baby was initially going to be robotic. Luckily, the idea was scrapped because she was just too frightening.
The cast and crew dubbed "Chuckesmee" based on its similarities to a certain horror doll, according to Yahoo.
"Chuckesmee is one of the most grotesque animatronic babies ever to not be seen on film," producer Wyck Godfrey said.
It's shaping up to be a banner week for reality television stars.
"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood was released from an Indiana prison on Monday after serving 16 months on a five-year sentence, Us Weekly reported.
"She earned a combination of earned credit time for good behavior and completion of programming, which resulted in her period of incarceration being reduced," Indiana Department of Corrections spokesman Douglas S. Garrison told the magazine.
The teenage mother, now 23, was doing time as a result of her arrest on drug-possession charges in December 2011, according to E! News.
British actor Idris Elba is dishing on how he approached the role of former South African President Nelson Mandela in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."
Elba spoke at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg and said that acting as the anti-apartheid leader was a gift, the Associated Press reported.
Even President Obama is excited to see the movie. A special White House screening is set for Nov. 7, according to The Hollywood Reporter.