From YOLO, to Gangnam, to Instagram, 2012 was ripe with pop culture fads and phenomena of all kinds. Here is a list of the top 12 trends that defined 2012. 1.

Understanding the Context

Call Me Maybe I have nothing but good ... Whether you loved or loathed these bold fashion trends, there's no denying that they were everywhere in 2012--from the runway to the red carpet, on the street, and, of course, in the pages of Glamour. Home Culture & Life Features The 13 biggest pop culture moments of 2012 From the rise of an unexpected NBA superstar to the announcement of a royal baby, this was a year of smiles, shocks, and ... Ten Pop Culture Moments That Rocked 2012 We rounded up the most defining moments of 2012, from "Gangnam Style" to Gossip Girl.

Key Insights

The 2012 internet was just as much about the rise of online video, a trend helped by the growing popularity of tablets to view videos. YouTube continued to grow in 2012, but the most interesting trend was the professionalisation of its content. HBO In January 2012, HBO started airing Lena Dunham's "Girls," a meditation on the awkwardness of being female and 20-ish in New York. By year's end, actress-director-writer Dunham, at 26 ... 2012 In Review: 50 Wonderful Things From The Year In Pop Culture Luckily, Rafalca and "Gangnam Style" were really popular.

Final Thoughts

The 2012 Carrie Bradshaw Raspberry Award Later that day we got to thinking about trend stories and their many iterations.