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After the second debate, these 5 voters changed their minds. They told us why.

In the second presidential debate — held less than 48 hours after the release of a bombshell tape where Donald Trump describes sexually assaulting women as well as the release of a new cache of Clinton campaign emails by Wikileaks — the candidates outlined two very different visions of a future America.

Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Trump defended his taped remarks from 2005 as "locker room talk," while calling on Muslim Americans to report suspected terrorists in their communities and vowing to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton's handling of her state department email and throw her in jail. Clinton promised to expand Obamacare to make health care more widely accessible and affordable and establish a no-fly zone in Syria, while deflecting questions about taking different positions in public and private by citing Abraham Lincoln.  


Two polls taken immediately post-debate showed a Clinton victory, while a focus group panel gave the edge to Trump.

We asked Upworthy's social media followers if last night's debate changed their mind. Most said it didn't. Some were convinced to pull the lever for a different candidate — and for several, it was not one of the two on the debate stage.

Here's what they said — who they were voting for, who they're voting for now, and why.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Tara Donna, tax office manager, Arizona

Was voting for: Jill Stein

Now voting for: Hillary Clinton

Jill Stein photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images; Hillary Clinton photo by Rick Wilking/AFP/Getty Images.

Why she was holding out for a third party: "I was a die hard Bernie supporter in the 'Never Hillary' group. I was leaning towards Jill Stein until her stunt at the DAPL [Dakota Access Pipeline]. I love that Jill actually wooed the Bernie folks. I feel like Hillary expects us to fall in line because Bernie has asked us to and that upsets me. For the record I'm against the DAPL, but you can't graffiti property. As a presidential candidate there should be a modicum of decency and decorum."

What she thought of Trump's debate performance: "I thought Trump was a disaster. He looked angry and hurt. His response to the leaked tape said it all. The official apology he made, which was clearly written by somebody else, was trampled on. He reverted to 'locker room banter,' which is talking about sexual assault."

How Clinton impressed, and didn't impress, her: "Hillary was poised, but angry at times. I feel she needs to answer for her treatment of Bill's women. Bill's behavior shouldn't be counted against her, but she destroyed those women and needs to answer for it."

What she plans to do now: "I'm voting for Hillary after last night. I'm not happy about it. I'd love to follow Iceland's footsteps, kick out the government and rewrite the Constitution."

Kaden Meeks, college student, West Virginia

Was voting for: Didn't plan to vote

Now voting for: Donald Trump

Photos by Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images.

Who he backed initially: "Trump — mostly because I consider myself a Republican and I agree with a lot of his ideas, even some of the more radical ones. I liked his immigration ideas, I liked that he was straightforward and I liked that he had made questionable decisions in his life to get where he is now. I always have looked at the presidential position as a decision-making job, and I think that Trump would be bold enough to make controversial decisions rather than putting them off as the issues get worse."

How Trump temporarily lost his vote: "I had problems [with] the comments about his daughter. I don't know how any man could agree that his daughter is a 'piece of ass' or refer to her body shape as beautiful or give other men information on his daughter's breasts. I think that just shows how truly narcissistic and gross he really is. Any human with kids generally loves, protects them and is proud of their offspring, but Donald Trump seems to use his daughter as a credential. Her physical appearance is used as a weapon, and to me, that is just too far."

How the debate, and its aftermath, convinced him to come back around: "I actually watched a video of him apologizing for what he had said, and then I saw another video of a room full of independent voters, and the vast majority said that Trump had gained their vote. This was shocking to me considering it hadn't happened so far, and even CNN said he had 'exceeded expectations,' so I just knew he was starting to get a feel for what he was doing and maturing as a politician."

"Like I said, I always have liked his ideas, his demeanor is the issue, and through watching those things, I realize he was capable of having a suitable demeanor."

Patricia Billingsley, retired state employee, Oklahoma

Was voting for: Undecided

Now voting for: Gary Johnson

Donald Trump photo by Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images; Gary Johnson photo by Molly Riley/AFP/Getty Images.

Her feelings about Clinton, in four words: "Most knowledgeable, least ethical."

Her feelings about Trump, in three words: "Narcissistic, erratic, lazy."

What she thought of Trump last night: "Aggressive. Defends own sleaze by pointing out others' bad behavior."

What she thought of Clinton last night: "Ignores questions/statements she does not want to hear, repeats talking points."

What she'd like to see in the third debate: "Wish Johnson [was] in debates to compare in person, not just on what I read and hear."

Jessica Medina, web designer, Florida

Was voting for: Hillary Clinton

Now voting for: Undecided

Hillary Clinton photo by Tasos Katopodis/AFP/Getty Images; Gary Johnson photo by Bill McCay/SiriusXM.

How she planned to vote before last night: "I've never liked either choice, but Clinton is certainly the lesser of two evils in my eyes. After the last debate I was left thinking 'oh okay, I can do this...' This one kind of turned it back and made me feel uneasy again."

Why she felt this debate was different: "The moderators certainly appeared biased in my opinion. It's no secret that Anderson Cooper hates Trump's guts, but I felt like they were certainly professional. And I agreed with everything they called him out on — I truly appreciated the fact that they didn't let him get way with his diversion tactics.  But it set up Hillary for an advantage, which automatically had me raising an eyebrow."

What about Clinton's performance turned her off: "She had so much prepared for this debate, and that preparedness left me feeling a disconnect. I'm sure she has a sincerity about her in person — everyone says that her strength is listening and making people feel heard — but in this particular format, I don't think it translated well across the TV to the viewers at home."

How she plans to vote now: "It will depend on how she performs in the next debate, and I'll be doing a lot more research to see if a vote for Johnson is really just throwing a vote away (or, God forbid, dividing the vote and letting Trump take it). For Trump, nothing could ever convince me to vote for him."

How Clinton could win her back: "I would like to see more authenticity. We know she's smarter and more experienced than Trump. We know she's prepared to counter his arguments. So I would like to see her just have a conversation instead of spewing rhetoric that she has decided upon beforehand. I would like to be able to trust her."

Denise Smith, former museum programs manager, Virginia

Was voting for: Write-in vote

Now voting for: Hillary Clinton

Bernie Sanders photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; Hillary Clinton photo by Tasos Katopodis/AFP/Getty Images.

How she's voted in the past: "My first vote was for Jimmy Carter. But I also voted for Ronald Reagan and Daddy Bush … once. I was a Reagan Democrat, I voted for him the first time because he spoke of a flat tax to cover everyone. We went bankrupt during his presidency, and I would not piss on him if he was on fire after that! Daddy Bush spoke about fair trade and jobs on a global market and I voted for that. Got fooled again."

"I actually voted for Ross Perot against Bill Clinton — get this — because my husband fussed at me and said he didn’t want my vote canceling his out. I was stupid in love and never did it again."

Why she was uncommitted: "I was a Bernie supporter to begin with. I was truly disgusted by what happened that knocked him out of the race. I think he had a better chance than Hillary at winning this election, because after 30 years of dirt about her, the rumors, [and] the scandals, I was skeptical of her in office. Plus, though he endorses her now, Bernie ran a good campaign against her."

What convinced her to come off the fence: "I was seriously considering just throwing my vote away. I can’t endorse Johnson or Stein after looking at their platforms. I was thinking of writing in Bernie’s name or, hell, even Lindsey Graham for president but after this week’s tape on his 'locker room' talk and then Hillary Clinton's performance tonight, I’m solidly for Clinton."

Why she could never, ever vote for Trump: "Trump scares me — the thought of him as president. After tonight I know I can’t throw my vote away. Hillary tonight showed me a much better candidate for president. Trump needs a civics lesson on how Congress works. [He] blamed her too much for things no one person can control and if he thinks senators and presidents have that much power, he’s nuts. He’s going to prosecute her above our judicial system? That’s dictator talk."

Deadlines to register to vote in most states are closing fast! Many have already passed, some are coming up in the next few days. If you still haven't put your name on the rolls, this tool can help you get there. And if you have registered, here's how you can find your polling place.  

Joy

5 ways people are going "All In" this week

From the silly to the sentimental, there are so many ways people like to go “all in” on something. Here are our five favorite examples this week.

5 ways people are going "All In" this week
5 ways people are going "All In" this week
5 ways people are going "All In" this week
True

When you hear the words “all in,” what do you think? You might think of getting groovy at a nursing home, a french bulldog having a total breakdown in the drive-thru, or maybe even a snack bar company promoting self care. Whatever you picture, the idea is the same: Going “all in” means doing something with total commitment—literally giving it your “all” and going completely over the top. No second guessing, no holding back—just full-throttle enthusiasm with some creativity and flair thrown in. That’s how we get those viral internet moments we can’t stop watching.


This DWTS dance trend 

If you’ve been watching TV or on the internet this week, you might have seen the viral dance move Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach performed while on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) last week. The one particular move, where Dylan holds Daniella as she does a mid-air horizontal walk, is going viral with over 8k videos using the sound. Some of my personal favorites include a mom and her baby, two girls or a girl and her cat, proving this dance trend is truly for anyone to try.

All In on Fiber

Speaking of trends, there’s one that really is about going “all in”, it’s called #fibermaxxing. After years of protein being the biggest nutrition trend, it looks like fiber might be taking over. For good reason too, while protein can cause issues with digestion, fiber can lead to better digestion, blood sugar management, weight control and reduced disease risk. Our friends at All In made a video explaining the #fibermaxxing trend. Each All In bar has 6 to 7 grams of fiber , plus they are delicious. Don't take our word for it, though: Click here to try it yourself (for free).

This child's long hair

This creator went all in… on pranking the audience. I don’t want to give away the contents of this video, but let’s just say it’s creative- and it made me quite literally laugh out loud. There are a lot of "momfluencers" out there who make content that uses their children, and as relatable and heartfelt as it is, sometimes a little satire break is worth appreciating.

Two entrepreneurs getting down to business


Lots of people dabble in entrepreneurship. These two went "all in" on helping others learn it. After four years of interviews with CEOs , research, edits, and a Penguin Random House book deal (yes, seriously), their book, Down to Business, has made its way into classrooms and libraries around the world. Now they are teaching other kids that age is not a barrier to entry in entrepreneurship; the earlier you start, the further you can go—and an entrepreneurial mindset will serve you no matter what you do in life.

Bridesmaids who went all in

Last on our list; two bridesmaids who committed to the bit. These ladies went “all in” in their remake of the legendary scene from the movie “Bridesmaids”. If you haven’t seen the original movie, starring Kristen Wig and Maya Rudolph, this might be your sign.

In the viral TikTok this bride, Caroline, had no idea what was coming when she put on her favorite movie while getting ready for her big day. The fact that she wanted to watch her favorite show before her bridesmaids surprised her, makes this going “all in” surprise all the better.

Snag your free (!!) snack bar here while this deal lasts. Just pick up a bar at Sprouts and text a pic ofv your receipt to get it for free. Enoy!

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change

Can outsider beavers save this dried up river?

It's not easy being a river in the desert under the best of circumstances. The ecosystem exists in a very delicate balance, allowing water sources to thrive in the harsh conditions. These water sources in otherwise extremely dry areas are vital to the survival of unique wildlife, agriculture, and even tourism as they provide fresh drinking water for the people who live nearby.

But man-made problems like climate change, over-farming, and pollution have made a tough job even tougher in some areas. Rivers in Utah and Colorado part of the Colorado River Basin have been barely surviving the extremely harsh drought season. When the riverbeds get too dry, fish and other aquatic creatures die off and the wildfire risk increases dramatically.


About six years ago, one team of researchers had a fascinating idea to restore the health of some of Utah's most vulnerable rivers: Bring in the beavers.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change Beaver on riverbank. Canva Photos

In 2019, master's student Emma Doden and a team of researchers from Utah State University began a "translocation" project to bring displaced beavers to areas like Utah's Price River, in the hopes of bringing it back to life.

Why beavers? Well, it just makes dam sense! (Sorry.)

In all seriousness, beaver dams restrict the flow of water in some areas of a river, creating ponds and wetlands. In drought-stricken areas, fish and other wildlife can take refuge in the ponds while the rest of the river runs dry, thus riding out the danger until it rains again.

When beavers are present in a watershed, the benefits are unbelievable: Better water quality, healthier fish populations, better nutrient availability, and fewer or less severe wildfires.

It's why beavers have earned the title of "keystone species," or any animal that has a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem around them.

beaver, dam, dam building, nature, ecosystem Pbs Nature Swimming GIF by Nature on PBS Giphy

Doden and her team took beavers who were captured or removed from their original homes due to their being a "nuisance," interfering with infrastructure, or being endangered, and—after a short period of quarantine—were brought to the Price River.

Despite the research team's best efforts, not all the translocated beavers have survived or stayed put over the years. Some have trouble adapting to their new home and die off or are killed by predators, while others leave of their own accord.

But sine 2019, enough have stayed and built dams that the team is starting to see the results of the effort. In fact, beaver projects just like this one have been going on all over the state in recent years.

- YouTube youtu.be

The water levels in the river are now the healthiest they've been in years. The fish are thriving and Utah residents are overjoyed with the experiment's results.

According to an early 2025 column in The Salt Lake Tribune (i.e. six years after the beaver translocation began) the revitalization of the Price River has "helped save [our] Utah town."

"A tributary of the Colorado River, the Price River runs through downtown Helper," wrote column authors Lenise Peterman and Jordan Nielson. "On a warm day, you’re likely to find the river filled with tourists and locals kayaking, tubing and fishing along its shore. A decade ago, it was hard to imagine this scene—and the thriving recreation economy that comes with it—was possible."

Of course, it wasn't JUST the beavers. Other federal water cleanup investments helped remove debris, break down old and malfunctioning dams, and place tighter regulations on agriculture grazing in the area that depleted vital plant life.

But the experts know that the beavers, and their incredible engineering work, are the real MVPs.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change An actual beaver dam on the now-thriving Price River Public Domain

In other drying, struggling rivers in the area, researchers are bringing in beavers and even creating manmade beaver dams. They're hoping that the critters will take over the job as the rivers get healthier.

Utah's San Rafael River, which is in bleak condition, is a prime candidate. In one area of the river, a natural flood inspired a host of beavers to return to the area and "riparian habitat along that stretch had increased by 230%, and it had the most diverse flow patterns of anywhere on the river," according to KUER.

It's hard to believe that beavers nearly went extinct during the heyday of the fur trapping industry, and continued to struggle as they were considered nuisances and pests. Now, they're getting the respect they deserve as engineer marvels, and their populations have rebounded due to better PR and conservation programs.

It's about dam time!

This article originally appeared in June.

Warren Buffett, money, investing, billionaires, finance

Warren Buffett at the 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit

For those who haven't heard, Warren Buffett has a lot of money. In fact, according to Forbes, at the ripe old age of 95, his net worth is 160 billion dollars, give or take day-to-day. (Bloomberg's Billionaire Index clocks him at around 150 billion.)

The thing about Buffett is he's also an incredibly generous philanthropist. A large percentage of his wealth has been given, as part of "The Giving Pledge" alongside Bill and Melinda Gates, to charitable organizations. Success Reporter Preston Fore writes for Fortune, "At the time of launch, the trio asked members of the ultra-rich to donate at least 50% of their wealth to charity, and Buffett specifically pledged to donate more than 99% of his wealth to philanthropy during his lifetime or at death."


Fore also notes that Buffett has given a lot. "In total, Buffett’s giving has reached over $60 billion—much of it to the Gates Foundation, which focuses on fighting poverty, disease, and inequity." As time has gone on, Buffett is more focused on leaving his three children money so that they too can invest in people, ideas, and philanthropic organizations to make a difference.

Speaking of investment, Buffett is adamant about sharing his tips with others. Not only does he donate generously, he genuinely seems to love giving advice, even to those of us with very little to invest. He has written many books, imparting his wisdom on young investors ready to jump in and make their own personal fortunes.

And the main formula for investing? "Invest in knowledge." In Deputy Associate Editor Mithilesh Jha's piece for The Financial Express, it's shared that Buffett "himself reads more than 500 pages daily." Buffett insists that we should all "go to bed smarter than when you woke up."

Writer Caleb Naysmith notes in Yahoo! Finance that Buffett has expressed that his one addictive vice, reading, is the reason he became so successful. And because he stressed the idea of going down rabbit holes of subjects that actually interest him, it leads to greater success. Naysmith mentions a few super cool investments Buffett made, helping to garner him billions. A couple of them include: "Coca-Cola (KO): In 1988, Buffett invested heavily in Coca-Cola despite negative sentiment following the 'New Coke' fiasco. His extensive reading helped him recognize the enduring strength of the brand and its business model, leading to one of his most successful investments."

warren buffett investments, coke, coca-cola, money, brands A person pulls a Coke from the cooler. Giphy Coca-Cola Party Soccer Gig

Another of Buffet's investments, American Express, was also facing a tough time in the 60s. "After a major financial scandal in the 1960s, Buffett’s deep understanding—built through research and reading—allowed him to see value where others saw only risk. His investment in American Express became another legendary win."

Knowledge is power, so once one has that, they can start small and grow big, like Buffett did. According to Investing.com, "By age six, he was selling chewing gum door to door; by age eleven, his father helped him to purchase his first stock—three shares of Cities Service Preferred at $38 apiece."

"The rules are simple. Rule #1: Don't lose money. Rule #2: Don't forget rule number one."

And for those of us who don't have much to begin with? Small investment can equal higher returns.

William Buffett gives advice on investing. www.youtube.com, The Long Term Investor

But, it should be stated that even though the old adage is "money makes the world go round," even Buffett attests to the fact that if one is in reasonably good condition (has food, a place to live, is relatively healthy) that love is the most important factor. He believes that if one is surrounded by love, especially as they get into their Golden Years, that's the biggest key to success.

Warren Buffett shares the key to success. www.youtube.com, Yahoo! Finance

Pets

10-year-old girl walks into police station and brings officers to tears with 2 simple words

She's been handing out handwritten cards to officers all over the country ever since.

police, cops, police officers, law enforcement, heroes, 10-year-old, thank you letters, kindness

A 10-year-old has been handing out Thank You cards to police officers across the country for years.

10-year-old Savannah Solis knew she had to do something. Per KHOUN, the girl from Tyler, Texas had heard the tragic news that two local police officers in New York had been murdered. The news, all the way back in 2015, brought her to tears.

Solis knew that, as a kid, there wasn't much she could do, to stop the bad guys, to make the world safer. But she dreamed of one day being a police officer herself and being able to help. As a 5-year-old, Solis says her mother had a heart attack and the first person to arrive and offer help was a police officer. She never forgot that officer's kindness and bravery.


Savannah’s mom, Debbie, recalled the immense love and support the girl had for police officers all over the world. Inspired and mesmerized by their line of duty, she hoped and wished only the best for each of them. “We would drive by and see them stopping somebody and in the backseat she would pray, asking God to take care of them,” the mom recounted.

In the meantime, she wanted the heroes in her own community to know that she cared. So she decided to write personal letters. Hundreds of them.

police, cops, police officers, law enforcement, heroes, 10-year-old, thank you letters, kindness a piece of paper with a heart drawn on it Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

Her letters had two words recurring each time, “Thank you.”

Furthermore, the girl explained as best as she could what their service meant to her and how grateful she was to them for saving lives.

During her Christmas break, the girl went all out making these letters and posting them—she even delivered a few personally to police departments all over Texas.

“You are my heroes. I want to say don’t stop, please don’t give up. Many do not care or appreciate the sacrifices you make every day. But I do,” the girl remarked. Savannah added a note of inspiration which read, “Many are standing with me today to let you know that you matter. Officers across Texas, you matter to me. Officers in New York City, you matter to me. Officers all across America, you matter to me. Please keep taking care of us.”

One of Solis' deliveries was caught on video, per KXAN, where officers were moved to tears by her gesture.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

She went about taking autographs of as many officers as she could. Debbie noted that her daughter didn’t want celebrity or artist autographs but those of the cops. All the officers are seen shaking hands and getting teary-eyed as they read the cards colored and highlighted with the title, “My hero.”

Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Jessica Robledo felt proud of the girl’s gesture and of the fact that their role was so valued in someone’s eyes.

“The words she spoke from her heart touched every single officer. I noticed everyone was trying to blink back tears. That’s what it’s all about. She is an old soul. She knows the right thing to say and I don’t think she even realizes the impact of her words on these officers and this department,” she remarked.

That was 10 years ago. As Solis grew up, she continued her personal outreach to police officers all over the country, letting them know that their bravery was appreciated.

She visited a precinct in Manchester, New Hampshire as recently in 2021 where she brought cards to the officers, met the K9 dogs, and was introduced to the police horses as well. Commenters were blown away that Solis was continuing the gesture after so many years.

"Savanna. Officers need that inspiration with everything going on today. You're remarkable for doing this."

"Amazing young lady right, thank you Savannah I appreciate all your efforts to show your appreciation for our men, woman, dogs and horses in blue"

"What an amazing young woman thank you for sharing this post and thank you for your service to our city. And all the law enforcement officers all over the Country."

Bravo, Savannah!

This article originally appeared in July. It has been updated.

mr. sketch markers, scented markers, mr. sketch smelly markers, gen x, millennials
Images via Reddit/mikeyv683, Porkchopp33

Mr. Sketch scented markers were a nostalgic part of Gen X and Millennials' childhoods.

A nostalgic smell is bringing Gen X and Millennials straight back to their childhoods: Mr. Sketch scented markers. The colorful markers were first released by Sanford Manufacturing Company in 1965.

Over on Reddit, Gen Xers and Millennials shared their memories of using the fragrant markers in the1970s, 1980s and 1990s. "I can totally smell this picture," one commented. "I can still hear the sound of the Styrofoam tray sliding out of the box. squeeeeeek," said another.


One Gen Xer noted, "I can still remember the ole 'here smell this one' as you jab their nose with it. It never got old and people would still lean in to smell." Another added, "The memory of these is so strong that I swear I can feel the resistance and pop of taking off those caps."

@tessaquinones

Let’s try vintage Mr. Sketch markers! #markers #mrsketch #scentedmarkers #review #newtome #vintage

Others discussed the scents themselves: "These are partly how I learned to appreciate black licorice. I love my scented markers," one wrote. Another shared, "Watermelon was my favorite." One said, "Orange all day long," while another shared, "The light blue was my absolute favorite [blueberry]."

The Mr. Sketch markers also produced lots of funny core childhood stories for Gen Xers and Millennials. "A kid in my 4th grade class drew directly on his nostrils to smell these continuously," one wrote. Another shared, "Had a teacher in elementary who if you got a good grade on a test would mark your paper in whatever color scent you wanted right at your desk (she would mark it with a red unscented marker at her desk if it was bad). I would choose either purple grape, or dark green apple then spend a good 10-15 minutes smelling it until the scent went away as it dried."

@eightiesgirltok

What in the forever chemicals is going on here!? 😂 Shocked most of these still worked and kept their scents! Do you remember Mr. Sketch markers? #80s #90s #nostalgia #childhoodmemories #markers #mrsketch #scentedmarkers #totally80s #ilovethe80s #blastfromthepast #backintheday #eightiesgirls #80skid

The smell of Mr. Sketch markers brings Gen Xers and Millennials straight back to childhood. Which makes sense—smell is deeply connected to memory and nostalgia in our brains.

In a 2024 article for Harvard Medicine, Sandeep Robert Datta, a professor of neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, explained that, "Our ancient ancestors relied on smell to build maps of their surroundings and remember where they’d been." She added, "You can think of the original brain as being a sense of smell plus a sense of navigation plus a sense of memory. That explains why all those structures are so intimately connected, and why odor memories are so evocative."

And when the odor sensors in the nose are met with a familiar smell, Datta added it is "like a key being inserted into a lock" of memories.

@jennajennajenn

#fyp #foryoupage #childhoodmemories #markers #relateable #scents

According to USA Today, Mr. Sketch markers had a relaunch in 2014 when the brand released its first television advertising campaign with new marker sets, including a Movie Night pack (with smells like popcorn and nacho cheese) and a Holiday pack (complete with candy cane and sugar cookie scents). Mr. Sketch is now owned by Newell Brands.

Today, the Mr. Sketch brand boasts 12 core scents: raspberry, watermelon, cherry, orange, banana, mint, apple, fruit punch, blueberry, grape, cinnamon, and licorice. It has also expanded to scented crayons.

Wi-Fi, laptops, funny user names, computers, Threads
Photo by Windows on Unsplash

A woman sitting on a bed using a laptop computer.

Picture this: you've just moved into a new neighborhood, and you're setting up your Wi-Fi profile. Mixed in with the boring AT&T/Verizon usernames, you see a few unhinged ones like "Red Dracula Main Street" and "Beware Neighbors." (The latter one was actually in my apartment building for a bit, and terrifyingly, I could never quite figure out who it was.)

A woman on Threads, who goes by the name Sacred Grape Tomato (@sacredgrapetomato), faced a similar issue, though for her, it was a hilarious plea to outdo her fellow online residents. Her short bio reads, "Another old woman trying to leave this place better than I found it." And she's certainly doing that.


She wrote, "Threads, I need some help. I just moved to this neighborhood. Everything was fine until today when I discovered that one of my neighbors named his WiFi, “Pretty fly for a WiFi” and I realized I’ve got nothing. All I can come up with is 'Girls just want to log on' but—overplayed. Please help me win the late 90’s early 00’s music WiFi naming contest that exists only in my head."

She then, as if stepping back from the question to think about it for a moment, adds, "Also, whose WiFi is pretty fly? There are only 4-5 houses in range. Is it the weird uptight old couple across the street? The chill guy next door seems too young for the reference. The other houses in range are a woman in her late 80s, a hermit family and a family that plays a bunch of mariachi music. It’s gotta be the guy born after the song came out, right?"

There are nearly 4,000 comments, and they've totally come through with genius suggestions.

Some stayed with the theme of '90s pop songs

"AScrubIsAWiThatThinkHesFi"

"Staceys Mom Has Got It Logging On"

"DontGoChasingFirewalls."

"DropItLikeItsHotspot"

Wi-Fi, passwords, user names, 80s, 90s, Gen X A Threads user shares this WiFi user name. www.threads.com, Krown’d Locs (@krowndlocs) on Threads

One Threads user dropped a lot of suggestions all at once, all in the realm of '70s, '80s and '90s TV shows and movies

Prepare yourself.

"MagnumWiFi

WhereWereGoingWeDontNeedModems

YoureGonnaNeedABiggerRouter

HeyLaserLipsYourMamaWasASnowblower

TheseAreNotTheLANsYoureLookingFor

TheresNoCryingInBroadband

Wi-Fi, baseball, Tom Hanks, League of Their Own Tom Hanks yells "There's no crying in baseball!" Giphy No Way Smh GIF by Laff, A League of Their own

YippeeKiYayMotherRouter

OneDoesNotSimplyJoinMyWiFi

DontGoChasingWireless

NobodyPutsWiFiInACorner

80s movies, Gen X, Dirty Dancing, movies, Wi-Fi Nobody puts Baby in the corner. Giphy Dirty Dancing GIF

IfYouWannaBeMyWiFiYouGottaGetWithMyLAN

AreYouStrongEnoughToBeMyLAN

ManIFeelLikeAWiFi

YouGottaFightForYourRightToWiFi

IveGotFriendsInModemPlaces

MyWiFiBringsAllTheBoysToTheYard

ImTooSexyForThisWiFi"

Wi-Fi, user names, I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred I'm too sexy gif Giphy Right Said Fred

These suggestions, of course, are bringing in tons of celebratory memes and virtual high-fives. Some people love them so much, they're changing their own Wi-Fi names and screenshotting to prove it.

For fun, I went over to Reddit to see if they had even more creative Wi-Fi name ideas and of course, they didn't disappoint either. Someone asked, "What are cool yet not cringy Wi-Fi names?" This got over 8,000 comments.

One hilariously suggested "ElderlySwingers." They explain, "The whole neighbourhood gonna be looking at everyone over 70 in your area wondering if they're the 'adventurous' couple."

Another sneaky Redditor joked, "When I was living in the city I called mine 'Taco Bell Guest' in hopes that someone thought to themselves, 'wait, there’s a Taco Bell near here?'"

This one was especially ridiculous: "One time when setting up the new modem for my parents as a kid I called the router Abraham Linksys. When I was looking at the network list a few weeks later I noticed that someone down the street named there's John Wilkes Blutooth." A person commented to that, specifically, "Cute and somehow threatening."

In a world where so many don't exercise their right to be funny (or to party for that matter), consider paying homage to something you love through your Wi-Fi name. If nothing else, it might just make a neighbor or two smile.