The Shard, #WhenIGetOlder, Robin van Persie, John Lydon: Why are they trending?

A look at the trending topics on social networking sites and search engines today, to see what we’re interested in, and why.

The Shard

Tonight Europe’s tallest building, the £450m Shard will open in London. The show is expected to feature lasers, searchlights and a host of dignitaries including the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Duke of York. Do we detect sarcasm mixed in with @jonhorsley1’s excitement? : “The #Shard is officially open! At last, some good news for multi-billionaires in need of posh flats in London!”

#WhenIGetOlder

Last night the BBC screened When I Get Older, a celebrity-led doc about aging in Britain. @DrNostromo says, “Glad to see #WhenIGetOlder raising the profile of carers for the elderly in the UK.”

Robin van Persie

The Arsenal striker continues to generate headlines after announcing his decision not to renew his contract. Manchester City and Juventus have both expressed an interest in the 28-year-old. @daraobriain is a philosophical mood: “Great. Found the Higgs Boson, lost Robin Van Persie, The universe balances itself out yet again.”

Question Time / John Lydon / #menschpunksongs

The former Sex Pistols frontman will be spicing up the Question Time panel tonight with his (hopefully) unpredictable views on current affairs. How will he get on with fellow panellist Louise Mensch? @JimHigginson suggests a musical collaboration “#menschpunksongs Neoliberalism in the UK.”

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• http://twitter.com/francessmith frances smith

  how about having a special section of the independent devoted to twitter and other social networks, and may be charge people 20p to read it, and see how many do?