Who knew that the Weekly World News, formerly the black-and-white tabloid of Bat Boy fame, still had the power to spark a bona fide hoax? But that’s just what it did with an article titled “FACEBOOK WILL END ON MARCH 15th!” Gawker informs us that “is facebook shutting down” subsequently became one of the most-searched-for phrases online yesterday.
Per Weekly World News, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is just too doggone stressed out to continue helming his multibillion dollar empire:
“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.”
…
“After March 15th the whole website shuts down,” said Avrat Humarthi, Vice President of Technical Affairs at Facebook. “So if you ever want to see your pictures again, I recommend you take them off the internet. You won’t be able to get them back once Facebook goes out of business.”
Zuckerberg said that the decision to shut down Facebook was difficult, but that he does not think people will be upset.
“I personally don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said in a private phone interview. “And to be honest, I think it’s for the better. Without Facebook, people will have to go outside and make real friends. That’s always a good thing.”
See the satire there in that last paragraph? It was apparently lost on many. Facebook had to squash the rumor via Twitter:
We didn’t get the memo about shutting down, so we’ll keep working away. We aren’t going anywhere; we’re just getting started.
(WWN via Gawker via Flavorwire)
