Some interesting thing he pointed out before is still happening, except not interesting this time because there is no new information.

In other breaking news - other stuff is happening somewhere else: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/breaking_news_some_bul....

I think the most likely explanation is that Google uses a stochastic algorithm to position labels on the map, similar to how Graphviz neato/fdp does vertices (using a force-directed algorithm).

they are probably testing out how people use their tools. if having the name of a city at one point influences where people are clicking, or if people are looking for one place instead of another, etc...