TrendIn: The Two Speeches You Couldn't Miss this Week

LinkedIn members were a bit star-struck this week, but the kind of stars we talk about here don't sing, act or misbehave: they lead the world. The week was marked by two speeches that got you talking.

Barack Obama, of course, was most discussed (follow him here on LinkedIn), as he took his second oath of office on Martin Luther King day.

"Together" was the speech's keyword, calling for a renewed national unity, after a divisive election season. Which did not of course prevent Barack Obama hitting all the Democratic hot buttons: lifting the middle class, education, peace, women's rights, gay rights... Perhaps most encouraging to those of us who despaired to see the topic take a backseat to the economic crisis: a full minute and some seconds on climate change.

"We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging eefires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms.

The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared."

While one Union was celebrated, another was in crisis. A speech by British Prime Minister David Cameron (you can follow him here too) cristallized the long-standing differences of opinion between Great Britain and the continent. Will the European Union survive growing calls for "self-determination" across the Channel?

If ever you wanted to understand the differences of mentality, political leanings and European vision between much of the continent (particularly France and Germany) and the British Isles, this is the speech to watch. One can hardly disagree with David Cameron's diagnosis of the people's "frustration" with the EU, particularly its "lack of democratic accountability and consent". But where others wish to build those features into Brussels, Cameron prefers taking powers out of it and back to national states. I spotted one sentence where David Cameron claims to defend European interests too, but really, he's looking out for Britain. (And as he points out, why shouldn't he? The British, and the British only, elected him.)

The speech frankly gives this European the feeling of being let down easy. An "I'm leaving you because I love you" sort of speech, but still – we're being dumped. French and German leaders seem to feel that way, too. But David Cameron is putting a time delay on the potential breakup, proposing a referendum in 2017. It might as well be 2117 – so much can happen until then, like simply the Conservatives not winning the next election. And to listen closely to the last 10 minutes of the speech, it sounds like Cameron would really rather the British vote "in".

Did Cameron convince you? Did Obama inspire you? What else "trended" in your week?

Thanks to LinkedIn senior data scientist Viet Ha-Thuc for pulling the numbers behind this post.