If you are not familiar with the phrase "hot take," Merriam Websters is helpful. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20take

I think if one actually spent time perusing "trending topics," the distinction would be quite apparent. There is a difference between people providing information about, for example, how to book a particular ticket or whether a hotel offers a particular service, and a 300-post thread of people sharing their generic thoughts about how service on XYZ is awful these days, or responding to some news/blog article. The latter was more likely to qualify as a "trending" topic.

I am sorry to see so many only found participation in the latter useful, but I imagine that isnt the majority of FT users, despite the vociferousness expressed in this thread.