Facebook Hoax

There was an internet rumor this weekend to the effect that "Facebook" was planning to shut down just days after it had received a $100 million cash infusion and a valuation of $50 billion. The rumor was quickly quashed and the source of the hoax revealed.

Facebook is not shutting down on March 15 or any other date in the foreseeable future.

But a story from the supermarket tabloid, the Weekly World News, generated a lot of buzz over the weekend when it reported that the social network was shuttering its doors and shutting out users starting on the Ides of March. The Weekly World News, famous for its reports on Bat Boy, alien attacks and how-tos like "10 Ways to Protect Your Home From Zombies" had this "quote" from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

"Facebook has gotten out of control," said Zuckerberg in a press conference outside his Palo Alto office, "and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness."

via Faster Forward - Don't Panic: Facebook is not shutting down.

The Weekly World News tabloid, available at newsstands everywhere, has printed a number of other "interesting" stories recently.

Among the most notable, "Glenn Beck Moving To China", "Space Aliens Set To Invade Earth in 2011" and my favorite, "U.S. Treasury Department Trades (comedian) Carrot Top To Canada For Truckload of Pennies". Hmmmm..That last one sounds pretty good to me!