X marks the spot

X marks the spot: When Elon Musk took over Twitter two years ago, he told employees they’d need to work “extremely hardcore” with “long hours at high intensity.” Those who didn’t agree within 24 hours were fired. It turns out that not responding doesn’t legally count as resignation. A canned employee got $600,000.

Tags: Elon Musk, employee, employees, hours, work, X (Twitter)


Make sure websites are following your rules: How to check permissions

Hey, where do you live? Can I listen to what you say through your microphone? What about watching through your webcam? Send me all your contacts. Oh, and I’d like to send notifications anytime I feel like it and also watch what websites you visit and what you do there.

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National Public Data breach: How to protect yourself and your SSN

National Public Data, a company that collects information from nonpublic sources without consent, according to a class-action lawsuit (paywall link), has been hit by a massive data breach. The company makes money by selling personal data to employers, private investigators and anyone conducting background checks.

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Trivia

It took radio 38 years to reach an audience of 50 million and just 13 years for television to hit that mark. How long did it take Facebook to reach 50 million users? Was it … A.) 6 months, B.) 1.5 years, C.) 3 years or D.) 5 years?

Find the answer here!

220-mile-high club

On everyone’s mind with two astronauts stuck in space. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were expecting an eight-day trip but are stuck on the ISS for six months. Technically, it’s possible … but there’s zero privacy.

The latest class-action lawsuits

From big banks to canned tuna, companies are paying out huge money to settle some pretty fishy business. I’ve rounded up a few of the biggest class-action lawsuits and how to grab your slice of the pie.

This is your reminder I’m not a lawyer, this is not legal advice and a company paying out a settlement doesn’t mean they’re admitting, “Yeah, we messed up.”

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10,000 years

How long Microsoft’s ultra-durable glass plates can store data. A small sheet can hold terabytes — we’re talking enough music to play for 13 years. Maybe this is what we should use for time capsules. It’s like a Superman material!

44 and 60 years old

When our bodies go through dramatic aging. Researchers tracked the molecules and microbes of 108 people over seven years. Most didn’t age gradually but did so in big bursts in their mid-40s and early 60s. Yup, age is an issue of mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

1,329 more steps a day

For people who use health apps and smart devices. A new study shows that people do 55 minutes more exercise per week, eat 20% more fruits and veggies, and sleep better.

$230,000 made at auction

For a factory-sealed Super Mario Bros. game. The owner of Just Press Play, a game and collectibles company, is putting the money into a 22,000-square-foot space in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Wahoo! (Did you read that in Mario’s voice?)

$1,370 raised

On GoFundMe for goldfish living in a sidewalk puddle near a leaky fire hydrant in Brooklyn. After noticing the leak, a guy went to the pet store and got 100 goldfish for $16. Neighbors (and the internet) are loving it and trying to make their makeshift home permanent.