Poll: Half of Americans Think Facebook is a Fad
Despite Facebook’s worldwide popularity, with some 900 million users around the globe, a new Associated Press-CNBC poll found that half of Americans think the social network giant is a passing fad. The results come as Facebook’s initial public offering (IPO) is expected later this week, which could value the company at a whopping $100 billion. Even among younger Americans, who are the heaviest Facebook users, 51 percent think its appeal will fade down the road, with 44 percent thinking it will have staying power. One of the major negatives surrounding Facebook for users is the privacy issues. Three of every five Facebook users say they have little or no faith that the company will protect their personal information.
‘Anger Room’ Lets People Pay to Smash Stuff
Just about everyone can relate to the feeling of being so angry that you want to break something, and now people who live in Dallas have a place where they can do just that. The Anger Room, located in a city strip mall, has rooms full of things like TVs, office furniture and glassware for people to smash. Customers choose how much time they want to spend in a room and pay accordingly. So the five-minute “I Need a Break” session costs $25, the 15-minute “Lash Out” one is $45, and the 25-minute “Total Demolition” goes for $75. Customers, who are outfitted in hard hats and protective goggles, also get to pick the music for their smash session, and can get a videotape of the experience to take with them. They are allowed to take in objects like a baseball bat or golf club to do the smashing, but more dangerous things like chainsaws or machetes are banned. And if you think this is just a testosterone-driven guy thing, think again. The founder of the business is a 30-year-old woman named Donna Alexander, and at least half of the clientele are female.
N.Y. County Sets Up Registry of Animal Abusers
New York’s Suffolk County on Long Island has taken a page from the registries for child sex offenders and has become the first local government in the country to establish one for animal abusers. Two other New York counties have adopted similar plans, although Suffolk is the only one to have implemented it, and the state overall is considering a bill that would require sheriffs in every county to notify anyone living within a half mile of a convicted animal abuser. Under the Suffolk County plan, convicted animal abusers are required to register and their names, addresses, and photos will be posted online. Pet stores, breeders, and animal shelters will have to check the registry and refuse to let anyone on it buy or adopt a pet. Critics say the registries will waste the time of law enforcement that would be better spent protecting humans, but supporters counter that it will help keep people safe as well, since studies show that people who hurt animals are five times more likely than others to go on to harm humans.
What Are The Year’s Most Popular Baby Names?
The Social Security Administration just released its annual Top Baby Names list for kids born in 2011 and apparently Kourtney Kardashian may have had a major impact. While Jacob remains the #1 boys name for the thirteenth straight year, Mason has shot all the way up to #2.
Here are the 2011 lists:
BOYS
1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. William
4. Jayden
5. Noah
6. Michael
7. Ethan
8. Alexander
9. Aiden
10. Daniel
GIRLS
1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
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